Jimmy Cricket

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‘Looking forward to chatting about my autobiography’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Looking forward to chatting about my autobiography’

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy's illustrious life and 50-year career.Jimmy Cricket is relishing the opportunity to talk to fellow Rochdalians about his autobiography at a local library.

Jimmy is visiting Heywood Library in Rochdale to reflect on Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian, which was published last year.

The audience with Jimmy takes place at 1pm on Saturday 7 September.

“[I’m] looking forward to chatting about my autobiography to my fellow Rochdalians,” Jimmy posted on social media.

“My thanks to @RochdaleLibrary and @JoanneEaves2 for organising the event!

“If you live local, I look forward to seeing you there!”

Jimmy’s autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his illustrious life and 50-year career in entertainment.

His forthcoming library appearance was the focus of an article in the Rochdale Observer (pictured below) at the weekend.

Jimmy's forthcoming appearance was the focus of an article in the Rochdale Observer at the weekend.

The book will be on sale at the library on the day and Jimmy – who was born in Belfast but has lived in Rochdale for many years – will sign purchased copies.

Tickets for the event are free but limited, so reserve your place as soon as possible.

To book, email heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk or ring 01706 927260.

You can also call in at the library before noon on Friday 6 September to sign up (if there are still places available by then).

Jimmy is not charging members of the audience for the talk.

Live gigs

In lieu of a fee, he would be grateful if those attending could make a small donation to Mary’s Meals. This is optional.

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

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

The paperback version of Jimmy’s autobiography costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon.

It is also available via eBook and audio formats.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

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

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

 

 

‘We love nothing more than hearing our guests rave about him’ 150 150 mhamer

‘We love nothing more than hearing our guests rave about him’

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

The Blackpool hotel where Jimmy Cricket has performed for nearly a decade says that guests “rave about him”.

The famous Northern Irish funnyman is in his ninth year at the Lyndene Hotel, which is situated on the seafront.

Jimmy performs there again on Wednesday (4 September) – his third of four nights at the popular venue this year.

The Lyndene website says: “For many years now, Jimmy has held a residency here at the Lyndene.

“We love nothing more than hearing our guests rave about him, as he performs his charming routine of heart-warming comedy.”

The Lyndene sits proudly at the heart of the famous Lancashire seaside resort.

Its nightly entertainment every day of the year is another major part of its ongoing success.

Jimmy’s last night of the year there is on Wednesday 4 December.

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!

Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

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

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

The paperback costs £11.99 and can be bought at online retailer Amazon here. It is also available via eBook and audio.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

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.

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

I wish the new Prime Minister well, but… 150 150 mhamer

I wish the new Prime Minister well, but…

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received some advice from newspaper columnist and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received some advice from newspaper columnist and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

Now writing monthly for the Lancashire Evening Post on a Saturday, Jimmy warns the PM in his August column: “All your flowery pre-election promises can turn to dust.”

He adds: “It’s not like pantomime where the fairy godmother can change everything with a wave of her wand.”

Here’s is the column in full:

Well, the general election has come and gone readers and, depending on whom you voted for, you’ll either be toasting with a glass of beer or crying into it.

I did hear that a few days before the election that Keir Starmer was seen in our local swimming baths in Rochdale… he was looking for a floating voter!

You see, I never let you down!

I wish the new Prime Minister well, but it’s not like pantomime where the fairy godmother can change everything with a wave of her wand.

A New York mayor once said: “You canvass in poetry and govern in prose.”

In other words, all your flowery pre-election promises can turn to dust in daily grind of day-to-day politics.

Gem of a place

A week before the election, Equity sent out a message to all its members telling us to vote for the candidates who won’t cut funding for the arts.

It’s a difficult one because people have bigger worries.

Like keeping hospitals open and making sure there’s enough police on the streets.

The local theatre isn’t exactly their first priority.

Having said all that, I once got involved in trying to save a theatre.

The Princess Theatre (pictured) above) in Hunstanton is a gem of a place.

It stands proudly, and majestically, in the centre of the town on a slight hill overlooking the sea.

I got wind that the local council wanted to close it.

When I say local council, it was actually under the jurisdiction of King’s Lynn Council, which is about 25 mile down the road.

I politely asked them to think twice about pulling down a beautiful theatre that families could come out and enjoy a live show.

We owed it to future generations to keep its doors open.

After all, I continued, hadn’t the late Princess Diana herself taken William and Harry when they were small to a pantomime theate when they were staying at Sandringham on their Christmas break (I’d known the producer of that panto – Mark Andrews)?

Strong and flourishing

A few weeks later, I received a nasty letter from the leader of King’s Lynn Council, asking me who did I think I was meddling in their affairs before adding caustically: “And who are you anyway? I’ve never heard of you.”

To be honest folks, I was quite taken aback by his bluntness, as I’d always been brought up to think councillors were the pillars of the community.

But you have to take it on the chin. It’s so much easier to do nothing, but if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

I’m happy to say that due to public pressure King’s Lynn Council reconsidered their decision and the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton is still going strong and flourishing.

And there’s more… I’d like to finish on a story I heard recently about a barber who cuts the hair of a florist.

When the florist offers to pay, the barber says: “I’m sorry, I’m on community service and I’m not allowed to accept any money.”

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received some advice from newspaper columnist and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

The next morning, when the barber turns up for work,there’s a dozen red roses outside his shop.

When he gives a policeman a short back and sides and tells him his story, the next morning when he turns up for work, there’s a dozen donuts outside his shop.

Then a politician turns up. When he cuts his hair and explains the situation to him, the next morning when he turns up for work there’s a dozen politicians waiting for a free haircut!

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is on sale.

Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

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

The paperback version costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon. It is also available via eBook and audio.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

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.

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

‘Elvis’ helps to make money for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

‘Elvis’ helps to make money for Francis House

what a wonderful evening for @FrancisHouseCH at the Alkrington Community Centre, my thanks to organisers Eileen and David alongside our great friend and Elvis tribute Jim Nicholas! #laughteristhebestmedicine

An Elvis Presley tribute act and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket teamed up to raise funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

The charity event took place at Alkrington Community Centre in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on Friday (16 August).

Jim Nicholas, a great friend of Jimmy’s, was the Elvis impersonator.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy tweeted afterwards: “What a wonderful evening for @FrancisHouseCH at the Alkrington Community Centre.

“My thanks to organisers Eileen and David alongside our great friend and Elvis tribute Jim Nicholas! #laughteristhebestmedicine.”

Jimmy has raised more than half-a-million pounds for the south Manchester charity over the years.
That is thanks to countless touring shows and parish hall events across more than two decades.
Based in Didsbury, Francis House cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.
It provides a home from home where families receive professional care, support and friendship.

Sister Aloysius and Fr Thomas Mulheran set up the Rainbow Family Trust in the early 1990s as a charity.

They were concerned about the lack of palliative care for the families of children with a short-life expectancy.

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the seven-bedroom Francis House in November 1991.

Francis House replied: And we love this fun pic of you from your 70th fun run and one of Jim on the back cover!

Also read:

Francis House benefits from Rochdale ‘jam’ night

Francis House: 18 years of fundraising for hospice

Library talk event will benefit children’s charity 150 150 mhamer

Library talk event will benefit children’s charity

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

 

 

 

 

 

A library in the borough of Rochdale is the setting for an audience with famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket next month.

Jimmy is visiting Heywood Library to talk about his autobiography, Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian, released last year.

The event takes place at 1pm on Saturday 7 September.

His autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his illustrious life and 50-year career.

The book will be on sale at the library on the day and Jimmy will sign purchased copies.

Tickets for the event are free but limited, so make sure you reserve your place now!

Mary’s Meals

To book, email heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk or ring 01706 927260.

You can also call in at the library before noon on Friday 6 September to sign up (if there are still places available by then).

Jimmy is not charging members of the audience for the talk,.

However, in lieu of a fee, he would be grateful if those attending could make a small donation to Mary’s Meals. This is optional.

Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

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

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

The paperback version of Jimmy’s autobiography costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon.

It is also available via eBook and audio formats.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

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

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

Roy Walker: Amazing story of a truly inspirational man 150 150 mhamer

Roy Walker: Amazing story of a truly inspirational man

Jimmy Cricket describes fellow Northern Irish comedian Roy Walker as "truly inspirational" in his latest newspaper column.

Jimmy Cricket describes fellow Northern Irish comedian Roy Walker as “truly inspirational” in his latest newspaper column.

Writing in the Blackpool Gazette and the Lancashire Evening Post earlier this month, Jimmy says Roy has endured bigotry, violence and great personal sadness in his life.

But he “still managed to spread joy and happiness to people with his great comedy and vocal talents”.

Roy worked for many years as a television presenter and comedy actor, including as the original host of the popular TV game show Catchphrase.

In his column, Jimmy writes: “In late March of this year, I went back to my roots and did a short theatre tour in Northern Ireland with three other comics from the province – Roy Walker, Adrian Walsh and Gene Fitzpatrick.

“What made this show different was that all of us were in our late seventies and two of the boys had made miraculous recoveries from serious illnesses.

“The idea for the show was conceived by promoter David Hull and what makes David stand out among promoters can be summed up in one word – compassion.

Like Glastonbury with walking sticks!

“Sure, he wants to make money, but the main purpose of this tour was twofold.

To help give us older entertainers something to look forward to and to thank us for the many shows we’d done for him over the years.

“He was rewarded with house-full signs and electric atmospheres at every venue we played.

“It was a bit like Glastonbury with walking sticks!

“I’d like to focus this article on one of the comedians I shared the stage with during that tour – Roy Walker.

“Roy’s story is truly inspirational.

Jean and Roy

“Picture the scene… it’s the mid-1960s and a young man fresh out of the army marries his fiancée, Jean.

“They buy a fruit and vegetable shop and by night the young man works as a resident compere in one of the many cabaret clubs in and around Belfast at the time called The Talk of The Town.

“In his tuxedo and bow tie, handsome looks and fine voice, he’s a wow with the nightly audiences.

“In 1969 the troubles grip Northern Ireland and innocent victims are caught up in the sectarian violence that followed in its wake.

“Roy and Jean turned up one morning to find their shop burned to the ground.

“The reason… Roy was a Protestant and Jean was a Catholic.

Dark days

“Not long after, The Talk of  The Town closes its doors… these were dark days for the couple and their three small children.

“During his residency there, Roy was always anxious to make sure the many visiting cabaret acts from England that came over to do weekly stints at The talk of the Town were happy.

“He made them feel at home by playing golf with them through the day and inviting them back for family meal.

“One such act was the Karl Denver Trio and their lead guitarist Kevin.

“When Roy rang and told him of his predicament, Kevin unhesitatingly advised him to come to England.

“He was more than sure Roy would carve out a good living in the thriving North of England clubland scene and when he’d settled in he could then send for his family.

“Kevin’s optimism was well founded.

“Roy became an instant hit when he crossed the water and, not only that, when he started to put some patter into his act between songs, the north of England audiences immediately warmed to his gentle Northern Ireland accent and pretty soon Roy Walker the comedian shot to prominence.

“He set up home in Peterlee, County Durham, and sent for Jean and the kids.

“His big break into television was on the talent show New Faces and then he became host of the popular and long-running ITV game show Catchphrase.

Golden legacy

“It ran for 13 years!

“Unfortunately, tragedy struck again when at the height of his popularity his beloved Jean died of cancer.

“I’m sure she she’d be looking down now smiling at the golden legacy she’s left behind.

“Because not only are Roy and Jean’s sons Phil and Mark brilliant comedians.

“But their daughter Josie has been a leading lady in the West End in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of The Opera and many more.

“It’s an amazing story of a man who endured bigotry, violence and great personal sadness, and still managed to spread joy and happiness to people with his great comedy and vocal talents.

“Roy Walker… we salute you!”

Also read: Wonderful, warm audience for Northern Ireland tour opener

 

‘Thrilled’ over Kindle sales of autobiography on Amazon 150 150 mhamer

‘Thrilled’ over Kindle sales of autobiography on Amazon

Jimmy Cricket is delighted with the number of people using Kindle to read his autobiography.

Kindle allows customers using an electronic device to access books purchased on Amazon.

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

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian officially went on sale in April 2023.

Initially, it could only be bought as a paperback book (£11.99).

However, within weeks, it was also made available as an ebook priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free).

At the time, Jimmy laughed: “So you can help save the planet and have a giggle at the same time!”

And the famous funnyman has now revealed that sales of the Kindle version of his book are buoyant.

He said: “I’m thrilled that my autobiography Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is going so well on Kindle.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has downloaded it.”

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

It can be bought at online retailer Amazon here and is also available via audio.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

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.

Also read: Autobiography also now available on Amazon Kindle!