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Plain sailing at the Ship Inn 150 150 mhamer

Plain sailing at the Ship Inn

Jimmy Cricket is shown with the cast, the producer of the show, Mark Andrews (of Mark Andrews Productions) and Katie the waitress at the Ship InnWell-known comedian Jimmy Cricket and the cast of the music hall show with whom he has been touring had a couple of shows in the East Anglian region on consecutive days.

First, they visited the Corn Exchange Theatre in Ipswich and then went to King’s Lynn the following day.

After the Ipswich date the entire company travelled to a village called Long Sutton, which is near King’s Lynn, in preparation for the next day’s show.

On their arrival at Long Sutton, they all had a meal together at the nearby Ship Inn.

Above, Jimmy is shown with the cast, the producer of the show, Mark Andrews (of Mark Andrews Productions) and Katie, the waitress at the inn.

Jimmy said: “Katie was extremely hospitable and provided a great service for us.”

Old friend becomes Mayor of Rochdale 150 150 mhamer

Old friend becomes Mayor of Rochdale

Jimmy Cricket with new Rochdale mayor Peter Rush and Heywood and Middleton MP Jim DobbinJimmy Cricket was invited to Rochdale Town Hall to witness his good friend, Cllr Peter Rush, become Mayor of the Borough at the annual Mayor Making Ceremony.

World-famous entertainer Jimmy is pictured above with the new mayor at the post-ceremony reception, along with Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin.

Jimmy said: “I was delighted to see Peter become the mayor and have known him for over 30 years.

“In fact, when I was getting established within the northern club circuit back in the 1970s, Peter was the concert secretary of a social Club in Heywood and gave me a 15-minute spot!”

Jimmy Cricket’s stolen wellies hit the headlines 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s stolen wellies hit the headlines

The Rochdale Observer reported the theft of the wellies given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy CricketThe theft of concrete wellington boots given to Rochdale-based Jimmy Cricket by fellow comedian Ken Dodd has certainly attracted the attention of the media.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket

Ken gave the sculpture (right) as a 50th birthday present to 67-year-old Jimmy who said he was “gutted” about the theft from his garden on Monday night.

As well as featuring catchphrases like “come closer!” and “…and there’s more!” in his act, Northern Irishman Jimmy is also famous for wearing wellingtons marked with the letters R and L, but on the wrong feet, on stage.

The story of the theft of the wellies, which were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket, featured on the front page of the Rochdale ObserverHe said the concrete wellies were of “high sentimental value”.

Greater Manchester Police said they were investigating the incident.

The BBC, ITV, the Rochdale Observer (see images with this story) and several radio stations were among the many media organisations to report on the crime.

Summer show – and there’s more! 150 150 mhamer

Summer show – and there’s more!

Jimmy Cricket at the relaunch of the tourist centre in Hunstanton

Jimmy Cricket at the relaunch of the tourist information centre in Hunstanton

Jimmy Cricket was asked to do a little bit extra when he launched his summer season plans for the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton.

The well-known Irish comedian also relaunched the seaside resort’s newly refurbished Tourist Information Centre with the local mayor.

This local tourism facility has been renovated at a cost of £100,000 and is part of a continued renaissance of Hunstanton. The revival in the resort’s fortunes has seen the theatre reopened and under new management.

Photos are courtesy of Elaine Bird and Archant Norfolk photography.

Jimmy Cricket at the relaunch of the tourist centre in Hunstanton

‘Who knows what they’ll ask?’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Who knows what they’ll ask?’
Article about Jimmy Cricket in the Barking and Dagenham Post

Article in the Barking and Dagenham Post newspaper about Jimmy Cricket’s show at the Broadway Theatre

Jimmy Cricket says he will “bare his soul” when he hosts a Q&A at the Broadway Theatre in Barking, Essex.

The famous comedian is performing stand-up in the 8 June event and then giving the audience a chance to ask him questions.

And he tells the Barking and Dagenham Post (article above): “I don’t have too many skeletons in my cupboard, but who knows what they’ll ask?”

The show on Saturday starts at 7.30pm.

Tribute to a friend and a legend 150 150 mhamer

Tribute to a friend and a legend

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Eddie Braben in the Rochdale ObserverJimmy Cricket has paid tribute to legendary comedy writer Eddie Braben who has died aged 82.

Edwin ‘Eddie’ Charles Braben was an English writer and performer best known for providing material for Morecambe and Wise. He also worked for David Frost, Ronnie Corbett and Ken Dodd.

He was credited with changing the profile of Morecambe and Wise, helping to turn them into one of the most popular and enduring comedy acts in the history of British entertainment.

Belfast-born entertainer Jimmy, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, started working with Eddie on his TV show, And There’s More, in the 1980s and 90s, and then his radio show, Jimmy’s Cricket Show.

They developed a lasting friendship and Jimmy recalled: “He was so funny, even in his hospital bed, and had this incredible surreal sense of humour.

“Eddie was a wonderful radio writer, as it was more relaxing for him rather than having to do the Christmas specials for 28 million people.”

A full tribute from Jimmy appeared in the Rochdale Observer (above is a copy of the article).

A summer season in idyllic resort 150 150 mhamer

A summer season in idyllic resort

Jimmy Cricket is appearing in the Great British Seaside Special in HunstantonFamous entertainer Jimmy Cricket has launched his summer season plans which will see him headline a traditional end-of-pier show at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, a seaside town in Norfolk.

The show is scheduled for throughout August and into the first week of September.

Jimmy Cricket is appearing in the Great British Seaside Special in Hunstanton

Jimmy said: “Hunstanton is an idyllic resort on the stunning Norfolk coastline and the town is successfully reviving the fortunes of its theatre.

“This is because it only reopened a year ago and this will  only be the second summer season the new theatre management have arranged.

“But the profile of the theatre is increasing and the town is getting behind it. This means the summer of 2013 for the Princess Theatre should be a cracker!”

The show is called the Great British Seaside Special and above right is Jimmy with a life-size image of him for one of the front pillars outside its main entrance. And he is pictured top with dancers from the show, trying on his legendary wellies for size! These two photos are courtesy of Ian Larkin, who is also a talented musician and will feature in the summer show.

Below, Jimmy can be seen at the sign marking the entrance to the resort. This image is courtesy of Archant Norfolk photography.

The show will be scheduled each week for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and, as well as evening performances, there will also be family-friendly matinee shows.

Jimmy Cricket is appearing in the Great British Seaside Special in Hunstanton