Timmy Mallet
Timmy’s behaviour towards Robert during the Live Trial made quite an impression on the camp mates and became the main topic of conversation afterwards. The feeling in Camp was that Robert did a brilliant job winning all 12 stars. However, they all had something to say about Timmy’s cackling throughout the Trial.
George said to Esther: "I’m impressed with Robert. It’s a mental thing. To go from one to another - the ability to switch off. He’s made of special stuff."
Esther agreed and said: "The bigger the challenge, he takes on any challenge."
She pointed out to George that David was sitting on Robert’s chair. "Not endearing," said George.
"I’m afraid not," said Esther.
George continued. "It was so inappropriate. Even after he asked him not to do that he kept on. It’s insane. He has no sense. It’s insane, maniacal."
Dani and Martina joined in the conversation. "He’s so mentally strong," said Dani about Robert.
"This is tough. He’s my hero," said Martina.
Later Brian told Martina that Timmy was winking at him. "He’s doing it deliberately. It’s a wind up. To create a situation because I gave him a filthy look because he was still giggling. During the Trial all he could hear was this cackling. You’re so trying to concentrate and focus on what you’re doing."
Martina agreed. "Robert was feeling so good about himself and he just brought him down. F**king bastard."
Simon added: "It makes you more determined with the support of the group. I don’t think Robert was hearing anything."
Later Joe and George spoke. "I think he’s done so well," said Joe full of admiration for Robert. "I’m surprised he didn’t give him [Timmy] one. He walked up the stairs and he [Timmy] wouldn’t stop laughing."
George said: "I’m surprised by his mental capacity."
Brian added: "He’s a w**ker."
Joe had an explanation. "You know when you’re a kid and someone says don’t do that and instead of stopping you don’t want to lose face so instead of stopping you carry on doing it because it’s a nervous thing."
George said: "In this environment we’re all interdependent on each other."
Simon agreed: "We all laughed and cheered him on but that was a different laugh. A cackle."
George warned: "He’s [Timmy] going to be in trouble."
Joe said: "I don’t think he’s got the best people skills."
Later Simon and Martina talked. Simon said: "Timmy has got a game plan. I thought he was a legend but he’s gone down in my books. He’s washed up. It’s his way of getting out there when he gets out. He’s a prick. It’s a big disappointment. The person you like and grew up on. I grew up on that guy."
Martina added: "He [Robert] has a big ego but he’s a good guy. Robert knows how to separate his job from who he is. The new guy is an ass."
She later said: "What p*sses me off it that he’s doing it during the trial which can only hurt Robert."
Dani said: "There’s laughing out of support then there’s laughing at someone and I think he was almost laughing at Robert because he was happy that Robert was suffering."
Timmy and Esther talked and Timmy told Esther he thought the Trial was "Fantastic. Vintage stuff. He was a hero. He went steaming in and he got completely trashed in that last one. You’ve started me off now," as he started laughing again. "That would be funny whoever that happened to. If that happened to you Esther. If it was me I’d be laughing like that. He was just bristling. Just lovely. I gave him a hug and it was so sweet because it made him madder still. Madder than ever."
Esther pointed out that Robert thought Timmy was laughing at him. "I know he did. But he’s slightly sensitive. I have an ability to wind him up just by being in the same time zone. I’d don’t know why. I thought he was going to punch me. And I’d have fallen over in hysterics."
Esther said that Brian instinctively got between them. "I didn’t notice. I was too busy laughing’ said Timmy. ‘I’m a bit mischievous. I like mischief."
Later in the Bush Telegraph Esther said: "[I talked to Timmy] to get him away from the camp in case other people were incensed but his raucous laughter which they were, and to understand why he laughed. For him, [Robert] getting glooped was the funniest thing he’d ever seen."
Over lunch Timmy joined the group. Brian started to talk to him. "You know you upset Robert?"
"Yep," he replied.
Brian asked if he thought it was part of the game. Timmy replied: "No. The occasion was very funny."
"But you knew you upset him and you carried on," said Brian.
Timmy replied: "Every time I think about it. It’s very funny." Brian told him he should control himself.
He added: "I don’t know if it makes any difference but a couple of the guys, you were their hero when they were growing up and they’re disappointed in you. Just thought I’d leave you with that thought."
Timmy later said in the Bush Telegraph: "There are one or two serious folk in here. And you think no. The world demands laughter. Robert seems to be easily rubbed up by me."