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‘Small world, isn’t it!?’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Small world, isn’t it!?’

Jimmy Cricket with Paul Crowley and Mary Hussey at the Birmingham Irish CentreJimmy Cricket had a chance meeting with a friend of one of his Northern Irish relatives when he performed at the Birmingham Irish Centre.

The famous entertainer, who was in a show with the traditional Irish musical outfit Irish Mist, bumped into Shaun Preece, the general manager of the centre.

Jimmy said: “Shaun is a good friend of my second cousin who hails from Strabane – small world, isn’t it!?

“The concert was a superb blend of music and comedy, and I was really impressed with the musical prowess of Irish Mist, as they had a great accordion player, a superb penny whistle player and very competent fiddle and drummer.”

Irish Mist are a four-piece traditional/folk band featuring Mal Rogers on fiddle and Joe Giltrap on guitar, plus All-Ireland accordion and flute champion Eugene Teevan and long-time associate, Belfast-born bass/whistle/flute player Brian Aldwinckle.

Over the years they have appeared with all the top names from the Irish folk world, including The Dubliners, Christy Moore and De Dannan, with shows at the Royal Albert Hall, the Dominion and the Gaiety in Dublin.

* Jimmy is pictured with Paul Crowley and Mary Hussey who were members of the audience.

Panto rehearsals set to start 150 150 mhamer

Panto rehearsals set to start

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamJimmy Cricket will begin rehearsals for his Christmas pantomime at the end of next week.

The Northern Irish entertainer will play the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Forum Theatre in Billingham near Middlesbrough from 7 December to 5 January.

Also in the cast is Emmerdale’s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who will feature in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

On most days, there is planned a 2.30 afternoon matinee and an early evening show starting at around 6pm, but check with the theatre by phone or on its website (details below) as times vary on different days.

The panto is being produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Visit from Theo the Mouse & Wendy 150 150 mhamer

Visit from Theo the Mouse & Wendy
Jimmy Cricket with Theo The Mouse at St David's Hall in Cardiff

Jimmy and children’s character Theo the Mouse enjoy some comedy capers at St David’s Hall in Cardiff

Jimmy Cricket had some special visitors when he appeared at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, South Wales.

The famous funnyman was visited before the show by Theo the Mouse and Wendy.

Wendy features in CITV’s Sooty Show and Theo the Mouse is a children’s character created by Wink Taylor, who has written for both the Sooty Show and the Basil Brush show.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed the visit and my capers with Theo, and wish both of them all the best with their forthcoming Pantomime – Cinderella at the Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey.”

Watch video of Jimmy being interviewed by Wendy and Theo the Mouse.

Latest Golden Wellie award winner is… 150 150 mhamer

Latest Golden Wellie award winner is…

Jimmy Cricket with Golden Wellie award winner Sarah the postwomanThe latest Golden Wellie award winner is Sarah the postwoman whose round include Jimmy Cricket’s cottage in Rochdale.

Ever since Sarah started to deliver to Jimmy’s house, the well-known comedian has been very impressed with her positive demeanour, cheerful personality and feel-good attitude.

He feels it certainly helps when she is out and about delivering to households and customers.

“She even makes bills more palatable!” joked Jimmy.

The Northern Irishman, who presented the award (above) outside his cottage, wanted to thank Sarah for being such a great advert for the postal service!

How Jimmy celebrated his birthday 150 150 mhamer

How Jimmy celebrated his birthday

Jimmy Cricket, with his birthday cake, Jim Nicholas and the local organising committee for the eventJimmy Cricket celebrated his latest birthday doing exactly what he likes the most – performing at a show for one of his favourite charities.

The famous entertainer took to the stage on Thursday 17 October, at a fundraiser for the Francis House Children’s Hospice at St Joseph’s Parish Centre in Little Hulton, Salford.

Seen above is Jimmy, with his birthday cake, alongside Jim Nicholas – the DJ who is ever present at his Francis House fundraisers and is in his Elvis costume – and surrounded by the local organising committee for this event.

Jimmy said: “I had a tremendous time and what better way to celebrate my birthday than doing the very thing I love the most – performing!”

It’s Showtime in Tenerife! 150 150 mhamer

It’s Showtime in Tenerife!

Jimmy Cricket with the Showtime Tenerife teamFamous entertainer Jimmy Cricket met the Showtime team and caught up with some old neighbours when he performed recently on the Spanish island of Tenerife.

The Belfast-born and Rochdale-based comedian appeared at the Karting Las Americas club and then did a warm-up act a few days later for the Showtime Tenerife team. Chris Elkington, who was the promoter of Jimmy’s first show, is also the Showtime producer.

Jimmy said: “Chris is quite the entrepreneur on the island as he also runs an English radio station called Oasis FM and produces an English-speaking newspaper called Canarian Weekly.

“I really enjoyed the Showtime Tenerife show, which had a great array of talented singers and dancers who performed a number of songs from the shows.”

He added: “This was a great visit to the island for me, as, apart from the warm climate, I was well received when I appeared at the Showtime venue with the audience giving me a standing ovation!

“Thanks to the comedian Steve Salter for performing a great warm-up spot for me. [Steve also provided the photo above of Jimmy with the Showtime team].

“I was also thrilled to be able to catch up with some old neighbours of mine from Rochdale who were holidaying in Tenerife at the same time, and I invited Diane and David Ireland and their family to have some tea with me.

“All in all, a successful trip the Canary Islands!”

Butlin’s reunion from the 1960s 150 150 mhamer

Butlin’s reunion from the 1960s

Frankie Whittle and Ernie Shrimp and his wife all went to watch Jimmy’s showJimmy Cricket caught up with some old friends during his summer season in Norfolk.

The well-known comedian was headlining the Great British Seaside Special at the Princess Theatre when he visited by some of his former Redcoat colleagues from the Butlin’s holiday site in Clacton-on-Sea.

Frankie Whittle and Ernie Shrimp and his wife all went to watch Jimmy’s show in Hunstanton and chat about the old times afterwards (picture above).

Jimmy said: “Frankie, Ernie and I were all at Butlin’s together in the late 1960s, so this was a wonderful reunion and a really nice way to catch up with these long-time friends.”