Mally Welburn is a well-known West Hull "character" who in 2005 won £54,000 on the Channel Four program ‘Deal Or No Deal’. Admired by many for his generosity and big personality, but Mally's story goes much further than that.

At 52 many men would consider themselves to be either "on the scrapheap" or "sorted", but Mally Welburn is just a little different, now a loveable rogue, most people (certainly prior to the release of his books) would simply class Mally as a bit eccentric. Little did most people know about his upbringing, his work or his "dream".

Mally has (over the past few years anyway) managed to grab the media spotlight and hold it above himself, a regular contributor locally on the radio and television, Mally has managed to claw his way from an under privileged upbringing into the hearts and minds of many people, both locally and nationally.

His appearance on "Deal or No Deal" is what gave Mally the chance to be heard nationally, to date one of the most confident and impressive contenders. However, the show was not the one that grabbed Mally's attention. Oh no, Mally first tried out for "Big Brother", getting through to the final stage with his madcap approach to life and the stories only he can tell.

After the"Big Brother" set back, Mally carried on, and managed to get to "Deal or No Deal", the rest as they say is history. But never fear, Mally is back! On the 13th of January Mally takes on Anne Robinson on "The Weakest Link", Mally can't reveal the secrets yet, but rest assured, it will be one you want to watch! Other media attempts are "Dragons Den" to name but one. Mally truly has learnt to "open doors" nowadays!

What many people do not realise is that even before his TV appearances, Mally was penning his books, and although his win gave him the chance to get them into the mainstream, it would have happened anyway. Mally would have made it happen. He's like that.

Mally is one of lifes' good guys, always with a saying or a story, always happy and cheerful. If you phone him, you never get "what" or "hello", you get "and a very very good morning/afternon/evening to you", and thats even before he knows who it is! His wit, charm and personality ensure that wherever he is, you can't help but laugh and smile.

In recent years, Mally has been chasing "his dream", indeed, all the time I have known him, its never far away. In the links section, you can find "Favourite Places" and all about what Mally wants from life. Like his books, its sure to happen one day.

Recently Mally has taken to mentoring children, not just on life, and how someone who "took the wrong roads" can do good, but also in business. His unique approach is what makes Mally able to get his point across. He just isn't afraid to "muck in" and get on with it.

Wherever you are, whatever you do, Mally has something that can "touch" you. Try to get to meet this truly remarkable character if you can, stay a while, stop and say hello, he's a big man, but not too big to stop and say hello and be genuinely interested in you and what you have to say.

As some of you will no doubt know, Mallys' time in prison was supported by letters from his mother, these notes will soon be available to see online in a special section that will be available to access HERE.

For other media bits and pieces, including Mally on Tenerife's Gold FM. Please click HERE