Jimmy Cricket

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‘Going back to one of my favourite staff-run theatres’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Going back to one of my favourite staff-run theatres’

Hi friends, I’m getting spoilt, going back to one of my favourite staff run theatres, where we did lots of shows and summer seasons, the #bridlingtonspa with the very talented multi-instrumentalist #andyeastwoodand the great vocals of #helenfarrell on Sunday 15th March 2026 at 1.30pm. You’re very welcome to join us for lots of #LaughterAndMusic

Jimmy Cricket returns to a very familiar setting on the East Yorkshire coast this spring.

The ever-popular comedian is performing at the Bridlington Spa Theatre on Sunday 15 March (1.30pm).

Also playing are musician Andy Eastwood and singer Helen Farrell.

Said Jimmy: “I’m getting spoilt, going back to one of my favourite staff-run theatres, where we did lots of shows and summer seasons, the #bridlingtonspa,” Jimmy posted on social media.

“With the very talented multi-instrumentalist #andyeastwood and the great vocals of #helenfarrell.

“You’re very welcome to join us for lots of #LaughterAndMusic.”

Book your tickets here.

The theatre’s website says: “Bridlington Spa stands proudly overlooking the bay, beaches and harbour and offers unbeatable views from its function suites.

“With a long and spectacular history, it is the venue of choice for many artists and touring shows and a versatile place to host meetings, conferences and training.

“First class in house catering combined with a range of rooms including The Royal Hall, a magnificent Art Deco ballroom, and the Theatre, an ornate Edwardian two tier theatre with proscenium arch, makes the Bridlington Spa the perfect location for any celebration or event.”

Also read: New concrete wellies arrive – in Bridlington!

Stand Up On The Pier will be ‘rip-roaring show of big laughs’ 150 150 mhamer

Stand Up On The Pier will be ‘rip-roaring show of big laughs’

Happy New Year’ my friends!! Looking forward to returning to the wonderful Cromer Pier in 2026 for a night of comedy with my fellow comedians!

Jimmy Cricket returns to Cromer this year to headline a comedy night which “guarantees non-stop laughter from start to finish”.

The famous funnyman tops the bill for Stand Up On the Pier at the Pavilion Theatre on Thursday 23 April.

Cromer is a coastal resort in north Norfolk and there has been a pier or jetty there since 1391.

Also appearing in the April show are Tony Vino, Kevin Daniel and Stephen Owen.

Jimmy said on social media: “Happy New Year my friends!!

“Looking forward to returning to the wonderful Cromer Pier in 2026 for a night of comedy with my fellow comedians!”

The pier’s website stated: “Stand Up On The Pier comedy night guarantees non-stop laughter from start to finish, presenting the finest UK comedians on the comedy circuit.

“Have your funny bone well and truly tickled at this great value and unpredictable evening that promises to be packed with quality comedy.

“Everyone’s favourite Irish comedian, Jimmy Cricket, is returning to Cromer Pier to headline the night.
“Tony Vino has been touring the comedy scene since early 2005.
“From his witty take on everyday life to his quick-fire humour, Tony knows exactly how to get a crowd roaring.
“Kevin Daniel is an award-winning comedian who has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and sought-after acts on the UK comedy circuit.
“(Host) Stephen Owen is an established and respected comedian and comedy impressionist.
“A natural performer with vast experience.
“His ability to communicate with audiences and create an innocent sense of fun and laughter.
“Get buckled up and ready for a rip-roaring show of big laughs at the funniest night in Cromer.”
Silent Night: Unusual story of ever-popular Christmas carol 150 150 mhamer

Silent Night: Unusual story of ever-popular Christmas carol

The serendipitous story of how Silent Night became one of the world's best-loved Christmas carols is told in Jimmy's Cricket's latest newspaper column.

The serendipitous story of how Silent Night became one of the world’s best-loved Christmas carols is told in Jimmy’s Cricket’s latest newspaper column.

The famous funnyman tells readers of the Lancashire Evening Post that it all started with a broken church organ…

Here is the full column which appeared in the newspaper earlier this month:

I’m afraid I’m going to have to relay some sad news, readers.

Come closer… the fairy on my Christmas tree is retiring this year.

Yes, she wants to step down while she’s still at the top!

Did I take you to the edge with that one?

Have you ever wondered how some of the Christmas carols we sing every year came about?

Well, let me tell you about one in particular.

This story takes place in a village called Oberndorf in Austria, on a snowy Christmas Eve night in the year 1818.

While preparing for midnight Mass at the local aptly named St Nicholas Church, Fr Joseph Mohr discovered he could not get a sound from the church organ, no matter how hard he pumped the pedals.

Looking for Divine inspiration, he remembered a poem he’d written a year before, after visiting a poor family in his parish to bless their child.

Enchanting melody

The image of a young mother holding her infant, wrapped snugly against the winter cold, captured Fr Joseph’s imagination and reminded him of another birth almost two thousand years earlier.

He fetched his written poem and rushed round to his schoolteacher friend, organist and composer, Franz Gruber, asking him if he could put music to it?

When Franz read the words, he was struck by their beauty and simplicity and immediately wove a slow, hauntingly enchanting melody to them.

That night, the song Stille Nacht was born, which we all know now as Silent Night.

With barely time for a rehearsal, the two men agreed that Fr Mohr would play his guitar, and sing tenor, while Franz sang bass.

We can only imagine the surprised look on the parishioners’ faces as they filed into the church for Midnight Mass later on that night, expecting to hear traditional Christmas hymns being played on the organ.

Instead, they heard two voices blending in harmony with an acoustic guitar singing an original carol that was as pure as an Alpine stream.

Pretty soon they all joined in.

Captivated

The story might have ended there but for an organ builder called Karl Mauracher who, while repairing the organ at St Nicholas Church in 1824, came across the song in the loft and was determined to popularise it.

It was then published, although Fr Mohr and Franz weren’t mentioned as the writers, and troupes of folk singers used it in their repertoires as they travelled all around Europe.

A famous family of singers called the Rainers, who were popular in America during the 1850s, were so captivated by the melody and words they had it translated into English.

In fact, it has been translated into 300 languages and is said to be the most translated Christian hymn of all.

But there’s more…

Silent Night has also become a symbol of peace.

For during the Christmas Truce of 1914 in the first year of World War I, British, German and French soldiers all sang it in their own language as they crossed over into No Man’s Land to shake hands and exchange gifts.

So, this Christmas as we sing Silent Night in our local carol service, let’s give a thought to Fr Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber.

They may not have earned a penny from their song, but they’ve given us something more important – an enduring musical legacy that’s lasted over 200 years.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Come closer – there’s more…

Did you miss Jimmy’s 80th Birthday Gala Show in November?

Or were you lucky enough to be there at the Lowry Theatre in Salford to see it in person?

Either way, you can watch the highights on The Irish in The Uk TV at 5.30pm every Saturday.

It was first broadcast on Tuesday (9 December) and is on repeat on SKY 588 and Freeview 279.

80th birthday charity show: Enjoy all the highlights on TV!

Need an ideal last-minute Christmas gift for someone who loves a good read? Memoirs of an Irish Comedian will fit the bill – full details here.

Have you heard Jimmy’s song created especially for Christmas? Listen to it here.

Jimmy Cricket's 2025 Christmas card

 

Have a Selfie with an Elfie is in the Christmas music charts! 150 150 mhamer

Have a Selfie with an Elfie is in the Christmas music charts!

Have a Selfie with an Elfie - a Christmas song for all the family

Jimmy Cricket’s Have a Selfie with an Elfie has made it into the Christmas music charts!
And you can help to get his seasonal song as high up as possible by voting for it here.
It is currently sitting in 49th place in the Heritage Charts, ahead of the likes of Kylie Minogue (Xmas) and The Stereophonics (Colours of October).
The Heritage Charts features new music from legendary artists.
It says on its website: “Each Christmas we receive 4/5 festive and seasonal songs but this year we’ve had an unprecedented 30 plus releases! Incredible.
“Positions this week may reflect that some songs have had a head start while others have appeared in the last few days.
“The chart will be updated every Sunday leading up to Christmas.”
You can listen to the song here.
Comedian Jimmy posted on social media: “Hi folks, so chuffed our Christmas song ‘Selfie with an Elfie’ (whom I wrote with #angusmacgregor and #catherinemacgregor).
“It has reached 49 in the Heritage Charts.
“If you have a moment friends can you vote for the song, (enclosed is a link) and let’s see if we can get it further up on the numbers for Christmas! #ChristmasCheer🌲🎄
Great idea for a Christmas present…

If you’re still looking for  an ideal Christmas gift, then look no further than Jimmy’s official autobiography!

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.

The paperback costs £10 and can be bought at online retailer Amazon here. It is also available via eBook and audio.

Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

It is also available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10 where Jimmy will also sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.

More details on the book and Jimmy’s DVD, Pull Your Seats Forward, can be found on his website here.

Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!

80th birthday charity show: Enjoy all the highlights on TV! 150 150 mhamer

80th birthday charity show: Enjoy all the highlights on TV!

The Irish in the UK is a show run by a husband and wife team called Martin and Annette Logan.

Relive or enjoy for the first time all the highlights from Jimmy Cricket’s Big Birthday Gala Show on TV.

Whether you were lucky enough to be in the packed Quays Theatre at the Lowry in Salford or were unable to be there,  you can savour the best moments now.

The big 80th birthday celebrations in November were captured by The Irish in the UK, a show run by a husband-and-wife team called Martin and Annette Logan.

The live episode was broadcast at 8pm on 9 December on The Irish in the UK website here.

It is also available on Sky 588, Freeview 279, YouTube and Facebook.

And there are repeats on Sky and Freeview every Saturday at 5.30m.

‘Priceless publicity’

A host of top comedians helped to give Jimmy a night to remember on 1 November in a fund-raising show for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Jimmy said: “For transparency, we can confirm that just under £6,000 was raised for this wonderful charity, who have over 600 families in and around Manchester in their care.”
About The Irish In The UK, he added: “It is popular with both Irish people living over here and viewers in Ireland who like to see what their relatives are up to in England.
“They’ve given me some priceless publicity over the years.” 

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has described the charity show to celebrate his 80th birthday as an "absolute joy".

The performers on the night were:

  • Tim Vine (Not Going Out, Live at the Apollo)
  • Steve Royle (Britain’s Got Talent, Phoenix Nights)
  • Roy Walker (Catchphrase, The Comedians)
  • Syd Little (The Little and Large Show, Shooting Stars)
  • Adrian Walsh (Today with Des and Mel)
  • Barbara Nice (Coronation Street, Britain’s Got Talent)
  • Katie Mulgrew (Coronation Street, Lovefix, The Dog Ate My Homework)

Famous funnyman Jimmy described the show as an “absolute joy”.

He said: “My huge thanks to the very funny line-up of fellow comics who shared the stage with me and who brought so much laughter to the show.

“#roywalker, #timvine #sydlittle, #steveroyle, #adrianwalsh #missbarbaranice, #frfrankiemulgrew, #katiemulgrew and organising the raffle (with family members), my son #dalemulgrew.

Very special

“The big surprise of the night was Lady Anne Dodd who brought the cake on and a big thank you also goes to my son-in-law Lee Martin and colleagues at #gagreflex who managed the gig.

“They did an absolutely wonderful technical job with the screen behind, alongside the brilliant #quaytheatrestaff and volunteers who made us all feel so welcome, while raising funds for #FrancisHouseChildrensHospice.”

Go to Jimmy’s Facebook page here to see photographs from the event.

Read about his illustrious life here.

Jimmy, who turned 80 on 17 October, has raised many thousands of pounds over many years for Francis House.

The charity cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.

It provides a home from home where families receive professional care, support and friendship.

Steve Royle’s lozenge cured my cough and saved the show! 150 150 mhamer

Steve Royle’s lozenge cured my cough and saved the show!

Steve Royle's lozenge cured cough and saved the day!

Comedian and juggler Steve Royle rushed to Jimmy Cricket’s rescue during a show in Liverpool.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy developed a “ferocious” cough early in his act.

And as he struggled to get rid of it, Steve handed him a lozenge – and the crisis was over!

The story is told in Jimmy’s newspaper column, which appears monthly in the Lancashire Evening Post (LEP).

Jimmy’s full column is below:

I’d like to tell you about a show I did at the Woolton Village Club in Liverpool recently.

Come closer… I’d just been 15 minutes into my act when I had a fit of coughing.

It was the aftermath of a virus I’d had.

Normally, I’d get the odd tickly cough towards the end of my set and I would make a joke of it but this one was quite ferocious.

As Mrs Cricket raced to the bar to get a glass of iced water, a sympathetic audience that included Syd Little from the great double act Little and Large roared me on.

In fact, it being Liverpool, a few of the audience members actually coughed in harmony with me to help make me feel better.

And then it happened… like the fairy godmother in Cinderella, my fellow comedian Steve Royle appeared at the front of the stage and handed me a lozenge, whispering: “This works for me every time.”

And you know what folks, he was dead right.

Unique performer

That lozenge did the trick and I was soon back into my stride.

And we didn’t have to give the audience their money back!

Of course, Steve is no stranger to LEP readers.

He’s been contributing interesting and informative articles for a number of years.

However, what makes him unique as a performer is not only his quick-fire patter, but he’s also an accomplished juggler as well.

I particularly like the way he weaves the juggling into his act with hilarious consequences – whether it be juggling clubs with an unseen partner or spitting ping pong balls into the air in perfect unison.

His big finish is so spectacular I wouldn’t want to give it away. But it’s worth the price of a ticket on its own.

Steve hails from the town where I now live – Rochdale.

As a teenager, he learnt his juggling skills at the Skyline Circus.

Edgar the Court Jester

Then his life took a change of direction when he went to study and get a degree in Economic and Social History at Kent University in Canterbury.

I have this funny picture in my mind of Steve turning up at the university every morning on a unicycle with his books under his arm.

The world of showbiz beckoned again and he headed off to the medieval theme park of Camelot at Charnock Richard near Chorley, where he became immensely popular as Edgar the Court Jester.

He was loved by adults and children alike.

Mrs Cricket and our children would watch Steve there.

That gave him great grounding for another form of entertainment, that he took to like a duck to water, namely pantomime.

From the first moment when Steve stepped on to the stage at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool in pantomime, both he and the audience knew it was his natural habitat and he went on to play 22 seasons at that self-same theatre.

Steve’s next big project is to play the part of Eric Morcambe in a touring play called The Last Laugh.

The play imagines what would happen if Eric, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse all met up in a backstage dressing room.

It is a must-see for all enthusiasts of traditional comedy.

Some would say proper comedy, but I wouldn’t dream of saying that myself, dear readers.

And you can bet your boots that if any of the other actors get a bout of coughing, Steve will be on hand with one of his magic lozenges.

Also read:

80th birthday show: ‘You could sense and feel the love from the audience’

‘Wonderful and nostalgic’ return to where I met Mrs Cricket! 150 150 mhamer

‘Wonderful and nostalgic’ return to where I met Mrs Cricket!

The holiday camp in Morecambe where Jimmy Cricket and his wife May first met is now a housing estate.

The holiday camp in Morecambe where Jimmy Cricket and his wife May first met is now a housing estate.

They paid a nostalgic visit to Middleton Towers, which was a Pontins back in the 1970s.

Jimmy posted the photos above on social media, which included him alongside a statue of the late Eric Morecambe.

Eric, who was born in the Lancashire seaside town and took it as his stage name, was one half of the famous comedy double act, Morecambe and Wise.

After his and May’s trip, Jimmy posted: “Hi friends, we had a wonderful nostalgic few days back in Morecambe and Middleton Towers which was a Pontins Holiday Camp (now a housing estate) where I first met Mrs C. over 53 years ago.

“The big cabaret venue then was Morecambe Bowl (now Buzz Bingo Hall) where we saw the great Roy Orbison live back in 1972! 🎭“

Read all about Jimmy’s life and career

A reminder that Jimmy’s official autobiography is still on sale.

The Jimmy Cricket Story is the famous comedian's official autobiography

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.

The paperback costs £10 and can be bought at online retailer Amazon here, also being available in eBook and audio formats.

Signed copies (£13.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10 where he will sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.