Jimmy Cricket

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Hollywood stars and different accents – latest LEP column 150 150 mhamer

Hollywood stars and different accents – latest LEP column

Hollywood stars lived just down the road

Where some Hollywood stars were born and how accents differ around the country are the themes of Jimmy Cricket’s latest newspaper column.

The famous funnyman throws up some legendary acting names such as Sir Rex Harrison and Jaws star Robert Shaw in his Lancashire Evening Post July column.

Jimmy begins: “Do you know what readers when I found out we had more opticians in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, it was a real eye-opener.

“But that was nothing to do with the surprises that I got while watching a series on television.

“It was called something like Discovering So and So.

“And the So and So’s in this case were famous Hollywood stars.

“Each programme focused on a star and the gob-smacking moment usually came at the start!

“For instance, take Robert Shaw who starred in the Steven Spielberg blockbuster movie Jaws.

“He was actually born in Westhoughton in Lancashire. That’s just down the road from me here in Rochdale.

“I could have called in and had a cup of tea with him before he headed off to Hollywood.

“But you will never guess the next one – Sir Rex Harrison. Where was he born?

“Are you ready for this? Huyton! Near Liverpool. Yes, the man who played Professor Higgins and who taught Eliza the flower girl to talk proper English in the musical My Fair Lady was actually a Scouser!”

Read one of Jimmy’s previous columns in the LEP

See a collection of Jimmy’s columns over the past six years

 

Tom O’Connor: One of the all-time greats 150 150 mhamer

Tom O’Connor: One of the all-time greats

So sad to hear of the passing of my fellow comedian Tom O’Connor. Tom’s razor sharp observations and impeccable timing made him one of the all time greats! Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pat his lovely wife, (pictured here with Tom), and all his family! ♥️xx

Jimmy Cricket has described the late Tom O’Connor as an “all-time great”.

Comedian Tom died in hospital in Buckinghamshire on Sunday 18 July aged 81.

He had had Parkinson’s for more than a decade.

Jimmy said on Facebook: “So sad to hear of the passing of my fellow comedian Tom O’Connor.

“Tom’s razor sharp observations and impeccable timing made him one of the all-time greats.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pat his lovely wife and all his family ♥️xx.”

Jimmy’s Facebook post has so far attracted around 200 comments – read them here – and been shared more than 650 times.

Tom rose to fame on TV show Opportunity Knocks, which he won three times.

He went on to star in The Comedians and host shows including Name That Tune, Crosswits and the Tom O’Connor Show.

Like Jimmy, Tom’s humour was always completely family friendly.

He was born in Bootle, Merseyside, and went on to become a maths teacher and assistant headteacher.

He became a professional entertainer in the early 1970s, establishing himself as a household name with shows like Pick Pockets and The Zodiac Game.

Again like Jimmy, his career also saw him appearing in the Royal Variety Show at the London Palladium and being the subject of This Is Your Life.

Read the BBC news story about Tom’s passing here 

TV comedy show featured Jimmy Cricket, Jason Manford and Tom O’Connor

Plaudits after Jimmy’s return to Blackpool’s Lyndene 150 150 mhamer

Plaudits after Jimmy’s return to Blackpool’s Lyndene

The plaudits flowed when Jimmy Cricket made his eagerly-awaited return to the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

The plaudits flowed following Jimmy Cricket’s eagerly awaited return to the Lyndene Hotel.

The popular entertainer was back at his favourite Blackpool hotel on the night England beat Denmark to reach the 2020 Euros final.
The Lyndene expressed its delight at Jimmy’s first performance there this year.
A social media post said: “A VERY special guest popped in last week, and the great news is, he’ll be back plenty of times this year!
“Take a look at what he has to say. 😉“
The post was accompanied by video of Jimmy going up to the hotel reception to confirm his arrival.
The famous Northern Irish funnyman had clearly been looking forward to getting back to the Lyndene (see the image below).
Jimmy Cricket returned to the Lyndene Hotel on the night England beat Denmark to reach the Euros final against Italy
Like all other entertainment venues, shows had been postponed due to the national restrictions imposed because of coronavirus.
But Jimmy clearly made up for lost time, with plenty of positive feedback on social media marking his return.
Here is a selection of them:

Wendy Irving: Brilliant. Love Jimmy Cricket x

Lynne Dare: He was there when we were there he was fab 😃

Susan Hardaker: A very funny man saw him at the lyndene a couple years ago, he proves you don’t need to swear or be rude to get laughs

⁠Jean Anderson: Fantastic just love Jimmy

Susan Lincoln: Love him he is so funny xx

Margaret Bell: Love him he so funny and both him and his wife are lovely people

Janet Watson: Great Act seen him a few times x

Vicky Inkersole: Saw Jimmy at lyndene didn’t think I would enjoy it but he was so funny great act xx

The Lyndene added: “Comedy is an acquired taste, but Jimmy has something for everyone! 🙂”

Pandemic apart, Jimmy has appeared regularly on the popular Lyndene’s two stages.

Jimmy did his last show there in September before another lockdown resulted in the closure of hospitality venues.

He is appearing once a month at the Lyndene until the end of the year, having enjoyed five successful seasons at the seaside venue.

Also read: ‘Wonderful news in these gloomy times!’

See all Jimmy’s booked shows (note the schedule is updated regularly)

England reach Euros final: After the football… the Cricket! 150 150 mhamer

England reach Euros final: After the football… the Cricket!

Jimmy Cricket returned to the Lyndene Hotel on the historic night England beat Denmark to reach the 2020 Euros final.

Gareth Southgate’s side ended the country’s 55-year wait to compete in another major men’s final with a 2-1 win at Wembley on Wednesday.

England had gone behind on the half-hour, conceding their first goal of the tournament to Mikkel Damsgaard’s superb free-kick.

However, England replied quickly as Denmark captain Simon Kjaer turned in Bukayo Saka’s dangerous, low cross six minutes before half-time.

And, in the first half of extra time, the hosts finally went ahead.

Raheem Sterling was controversially deemed to have been fouled by Joakim Maehle in the box.

VAR, the video technology, supported the referee’s award.

England captain Harry Kane saw his poor penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but the Tottenham striker coolly slotted home the kind rebound.

The Wembley showdown with Italy on Sunday night is England’s first appearance in a major football final since the Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup victory against West Germany.

It was a momentous Wednesday night for famous funnyman Jimmy to be performing on stage, particularly at the Lyndene – his favourite Blackpool hotel.

He tweeted: “So last night I went on stage at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool after the England and Denmark match and said: ‘Are you ready for this…

“‘Well folks, you’ve had the Football and now it’s time for the Cricket.'”

Jimmy had been eagerly awaiting his return to the Lyndene (see the image below).

Jimmy Cricket returned to the Lyndene Hotel on the night England beat Denmark to reach the Euros final against Italy

Pandemic apart, he has appeared regularly on the popular Lyndene’s two stages.

His performances at the Lyndene were limited during 2020 following the restrictions imposed because of coronavirus.

Five seasons

Jimmy did his last show there in September before another lockdown resulted in the closure of hospitality venues.

He is appearing once a month at the Lyndene until the end of the year.

The Northern Irish entertainer has enjoyed five successful seasons at the seaside venue.

Also read: ‘Wonderful news in these gloomy times!’

See all Jimmy’s booked shows (note the schedule is updated regularly)

Oxton show: ‘Lovely to be back doing the job I love’ 150 150 mhamer

Oxton show: ‘Lovely to be back doing the job I love’

While adhering to 30 people only gatherings, it was lovely to get back to the job I love this afternoon at the Oxton Con Club, my thanks to Jacqueline and Caroline and everyone who turned up and made it such a wonderful atmosphere! Performing arts#wirral

Jimmy Cricket welcomed the “wonderful atmosphere” in Oxton as he celebrated his eagerly awaited return to performing live on stage.

The popular Northern Irish entertainer did a show at Oxton Conservative Club in Birkenhead on the Wirral, Merseyside, last Sunday (27 June).

It was the first time this year he had faced a live audience in person.

He said: “While adhering to 30 people-only gatherings, it was lovely to get back to the job I love this afternoon at the Oxton Con Club.

“My thanks to Jacqueline and Caroline and everyone who turned up and made it such a wonderful atmosphere! #wirral”.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of most stage performances for the majority of the past 15 months.

Jimmy is looking forward to returning to the Lyndene, his favourite Blackpool hotel, on Wednesday (7 July).

He has performed shows regularly on the busy Lyndene’s two stages over the past few years.

Five seasons

Coronavirus restrictions forced the postponement of many of his performances at the Lyndene during 2020.

Jimmy did his last show there in September before another lockdown resulted in the closure of hospitality venues.

He now appears once a month at the Lyndene until the end of the year.

The popular Northern Irishman has enjoyed five seasons in total at the seaside venue.

Also read: ‘Wonderful news in these gloomy times!’

See all Jimmy’s booked shows (note the schedule is updated regularly)

 

At last – Jimmy Cricket set to return to the stage! 150 150 mhamer

At last – Jimmy Cricket set to return to the stage!

Jimmy Cricket returns to the stage on Sunday 27 June 2021Jimmy Cricket is finally about to return to doing live shows.

Sunday (27 June) will see the famous funnyman’s first appearance on (a real) stage this year.

He is performing at Oxton Conservative Club in Birkenhead on the Wirral, Merseyside.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the suspension of most live shows in person for the majority of the past 15 months.

Jimmy is also looking forward to returning to the Lyndene, his favourite Blackpool hotel, on Wednesday 7 July.

He has appeared regularly on the popular Lyndene’s two stages over the past few years.

Five seasons

His performances at the Lyndene were limited during 2020 following the restrictions imposed because of coronavirus.

Jimmy did his last show there in September before another lockdown resulted in the closure of hospitality venues.

He will appear once a month at the Lyndene from July until the end of the year.

The popular Northern Irishman has enjoyed five seasons in total at the seaside venue.

Also read: ‘Wonderful news in these gloomy times!’

See all Jimmy’s booked shows (note the schedule is updated regularly)

Cookstown family businesses included a bar & undertakers! 150 150 mhamer

Cookstown family businesses included a bar & undertakers!

Cookstown in Northern Ireland, where Jimmy Cricket was bornJimmy Cricket was reminded of his childhood with a memory-evoking image taken of Cookstown, the County Tyrone town in which he was grew up.

The Northern Irish comedian was born James Mulgrew in Cookstown on 17 October 1945.

Now a popular all-round entertainer, Jimmy said he was recently sent the photograph seen here on the right.

He added: “As you can see, there’s a parade going through the town.

“But, if you look up, you can clearly see the name Mulgrew.

“My parents owned a bar and had an undertaking business at the back.

“And it didn’t finish there – my father was also a taxi driver and an auctioneer. He had four jobs!

“He was an entrepreneur and a character in Cookstown.”

Jimmy left school at 16 years of age and worked for the next two years in a betting shop.

He spent the summer of 1966 working as a Redcoat in Butlin’s holiday camp in County Meath.

That was followed by two more summers at the Butlin’s holiday camp in Essex.

By the early 1970s, he was living in Manchester and from 1972 worked at the Pontins holiday camps in Southport and Morecambe.

He became a household name though his TV series on Central Television in the mid-1980s called And There’s More.

Jimmy ended up settling in Rochdale in the North-West of England with his wife, May, herself a professional singer.

Also read: You Must Be Joking comedians meet up in Cookstown

Find out more about Jimmy’s life here