Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Special poem is read out during lockdown message no 96 150 150 mhamer

Special poem is read out during lockdown message no 96

Hello @jimmy__cricket . Hope you’re well. I’ve loved your countdown to Hundred points symbol jokes. I’m trying to spread smiles with poems. I wrote one for you as part of my #ShowbizStanzas. I hope you like it. Would be lovely to know what you think (or if you’d consider doing a reading of it?)
Jimmy Cricket was sent a poem about himself by a social media follower – and read it out during his latest lockdown video message.
The ode (above) was written by Rachel Keeley (@xRachelKeeleyx), who posted her Showbiz Stanza on Twitter.
She said: “Hello @jimmy__cricket. Hope you’re well. I’ve loved your countdown to Hundred points symboljokes.
“I’m trying to spread smiles with poems. I wrote one for you as part of my #ShowbizStanzas. I hope you like it.
“Would be lovely to know what you think (or if you’d consider doing a reading of it?) Slightly smiling face X”
Jimmy replied: “Lovely Rachel, I will be happy to read and perform your poem here on Twitter, on my way toHundred points symbol jokes! Stay safe! Jimmy xx.”

The Northern Irish comedian was true to his word and read out the poem during his lockdown message 96, which you can watch here.

‘Absolutely brilliant’
Rachel said: “I’m glad you like it Jimmy Smiling face with smiling eyes Thank you so much that means a lot! Best wishes and stay safe X.”
Her poem received praise on social media from Rosina Breen.Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.
She said:”Hi Rachel, I thought Thought balloon your poem was absolutely brilliant. Well done Face with tears of joy Face with tears of joy Face with tears of joy xxxxx.”

Jimmy is now just four away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

He has been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts as the world fights coronavirus.

The UK government announced on 24 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown. He now sends daily video messages

However, the restrictions for the Covid-19 lockdown are starting to be relaxed nationwide, with pubs, restaurants and hairdressers among those business permitted to open again from today (4 July).

Jimmy has been posting the videos on social media with messages like “We can do this together!” and “#stayAlert”Rainbow.

He created the first daily message on 23 March and has attempted to give them topical themes.

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

100 lockdown videos – ‘coming into the home straight!’ 150 150 mhamer

100 lockdown videos – ‘coming into the home straight!’

Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

The famous Northern Irish comedian has been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts as the world fights coronavirus.

The UK government announced on 24 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

However, the restrictions for the Covid-19 lockdown are starting to be relaxed nation-wide.

Jimmy has been posting the videos on social media with the message: “We can do this together!”

He created the first daily message on 23 March and has attempted to give them topical themes.

Jimmy told a few jokes in the clip and urged people to help each other in these tough times.

He said: “Once we get though this, at the end of the tunnel, we’ll all have a great big huddle together.”

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown. He now sends daily video messages

Jimmy has decided to halt the videos at 100 – he posted number 90 on Sunday (28 June).

He tweeted: “We’ve Been Doing This Together. Message 90. Coming into the home straight! Hundred points symbol jokes folks! #StayAlert” Rainbow

Watch post 90 here.

In May, Jimmy wrote this message to all his fans, friends and followers.

In it, he said: “It was my youngest daughter Katie who suggested I do a joke each day on social media not long after the lockdown had kicked in.

“Before we knew it, we’d got to day 54 when one of our Facebookers suggested I go for the 100 jokes.

“His name was Paul Ritchie and I bought into his idea right away.

“After all, I can’t go on indefinitely

“When I say daily jokes, they come in various forms. It could be a couple of quick one-liners or a longer joke with a punchline.

‘Phenomenal job’

“In some cases it could be a poem. The trick is to keep it short. After all, there’s no live audience so it’s a silent feedback.

“I put on my character costume of tail coat, hat and wellingtons and do them in weekly batches of seven and just drop them in each day one at a time.

“Mrs Cricket’s the one behind the camera and she does a phenomenal job.

“I’m constantly astounded how good the quality is on her iPhone.

“I try to make them relevant to what’s happening in the news.

“I’m thrilled by the emails and texts I get from people telling me how much I cheer them up.

“Look forward to welcoming as many people as possible on my journey of lockdown levity.”

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

‘Saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton’

So saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton, I had the great pleasure working with her and the rest of the girls, they were such fun to be with backstage. So glad she found happiness with the great comedian Jack Diamond as they settled in Southport

Jimmy Cricket has been fondly remembering dancer Marie Ashton who died recently.

Marie was a member of the well-known comedy dance troupe, the Roly Polys.

She joined the group in 1982 after spotting an advert in a stage magazine asking for plus-size lady dancers.

The success of the Roly Polys took them across the world to perform.

They travelled to France, Holland, Sweden, Hungary, Italy and Japan in their 20-year career.

The troupe were especially popular with German audiences and visited the country on numerous occasions.

Marie appeared in numerous Royal Variety performances, on Des O’Connor Tonight, Surprise Surprise and – most famously – on The Les Dawson Show.

Jimmy said: “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton.

Interesting showbiz story

“I did both a national tour and a summer season at the Blackpool Opera House with Marie when she performed with the wonderful dance troupe the Roly Polys!

“Marie’s showbiz story was a very interesting one, which I found out about while chatting to her backstage.

“Before she joined the Roly Polys, she toured extensively with her former husband Ronnie Parnell in a tap dance act.

“Indeed, it was while performing this act at a seaside resort that Marie looked out of her dressing room window and saw a child struggling in the water.

“Undeterred, she immediately ran out of the theatre and jumped in to save the boy.”

One of Marie’s favourite places to perform was her home town of Southport.

Added Jimmy: “She found happiness in the later stage of her life when she married the great comic/compère Jack Diamond (Mr Blackpool).

“Mrs C. and I used to visit them. R.I.P. our great friend! 🎭“

The Southport Visitor’s report on Marie’s return to Southport in 2008

Also read: LEP column was epitaph to the wonderful Vera Lynn

LEP column was epitaph to the ‘wonderful’ Vera Lynn 150 150 mhamer

LEP column was epitaph to the ‘wonderful’ Vera Lynn

Hi folks! I had no idea when I wrote this May @leponline column it would be as an epitaph to this wonderful performer and humanitarian. R.I.P. our Vera!

Jimmy Cricket’s latest newspaper column was devoted to Dame Vera Lynn – just weeks before she died.

Dame Vera passed away on Thursday (18 June) aged 103.

She was known the Forces’ Sweetheart, whose songs helped raise morale in World War Two.

The Queen, Prince Charles and Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney were among those to pay their respects to her.

People knew her best for her wartime anthem We’ll Meet Again.

Jimmy’s column in the Preston-based Lancashire Post on 18 May (above) was all about Dame Vera.

The headline read: Remembering the forces’ WWII sweetheart Vera Lynn.

He tweeted on the day she died: “Hi folks! I had no idea when I wrote this May@leponline column it would be as an epitaph to this wonderful performer and humanitarian.
“R.I.P. our Vera! Performing arts“

The BBC reported: “Six weeks ago, ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day and during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Dame Vera said simple acts of bravery and sacrifice still define our nation.

“A week later, she became the oldest artist to get a top 40 album in the UK.”

The BBC recalled that Dame Vera had sold more than a million records by the age of 22.

The article added that she “was also remembered for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There’ll Always Be An England, I’ll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings.

“The Queen echoed her famous WW2 anthem during a speech to Britons who were separated from families and friends during the coronavirus lockdown in April, telling the nation: ‘We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again.'”

In memory of friend and snooker legend Willie Thorne 150 150 mhamer

In memory of friend and snooker legend Willie Thorne

Jimmy and wife May had dinner in Febuary with former snooker star Willie Thorne, who has died at the age of 66

Jimmy Cricket posted a video as a tribute to friend Willie Thorne who has died at the age of 66.

Former snooker star and TV commentator Willie was diagnosed with leukaemia in March and taken to hospital in Spain last week with dangerously low blood pressure.

He was placed into an induced coma, but passed away in hospital early on Wednesday.

Willie reached two World Championship quarter-finals during his career.

Known as Mr Maximum, he was the third player to reach the landmark of 100 centuries.

He retired from professional snooker in 2001 and was a respected commentator for more than 30 years with BBC, ITV and Sky.

Jimmy and May enjoyed dinner with Willie and others during a trip to Spain in February (see the photo top).

The Northern Irish comedian tweeted: “In memory of Willie who sadly passed away today, here is a short interview he did with our great mutual friend, (while living in Spain), the compere/singer/comic ⁦@steviespit.”

⁩

Watch the interview on YouTube

Five-time snooker world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan was among many others to pay tribute to Willie, calling him “a beautiful man”.

Ronnie O'Sullivan paid tribute to the late Willie Thorne

Also read: Snooker legend has dinner with a Cricket legend

 

 

Video messages: Three-quarters of the way there! 150 150 mhamer

Video messages: Three-quarters of the way there!

Jimmy Cricket is three-quarters of the way to reaching a century of his special daily video messages.

The famous Northern Irish comedian has been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts as the world fights coronavirus.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown. He now sends daily video messages

The UK government announced on 24 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

However, some of the restrictions for the Covid-19 lockdown are now starting to be relaxed.

Jimmy has been posting the videos on social media with the message: “We can do this together!”

He created the first daily message on 23 March and has attempted to give them topical themes.

Jimmy told a few jokes in the clip and urged people to help each other in these tough times.

He said: “Once we get though this, at the end of the tunnel, we’ll all have a great big huddle together.”

Jimmy posted video number 75 on Friday (12 June).

He tweeted: “We’ve Been Doing This Together! Message 75.

“More about the landlady folks! #StayAlert” Rainbow

Watch post 75 here.

In May, Jimmy wrote this message to all his fans, friends and followers:

“Hi Friends, Just to let you know May and I are thinking of you during these troubled and turbulent times.

“This virus has brought so much heartbreak and sadness to so many that every morning you wake up praying that the tide will turn and it looks now that it slowly has.

“I noticed that the Daily Telegraph have a special column dedicated to good news.

“They reported that Northern Ireland had no new deaths on Monday for the first time since March 21.

“They also mentioned that care home staff in Devon have set up a restaurant-style drive-through which will allow residents to see their loved ones, and that Lloyd Falk, a 100-year-old Second World War veteran and one of the first coronavirus patients to be hospitalised in Virginia, has survived.

“All these stories lift our spirits and I suppose that’s why I thought about doing something to cheer people up.

“It was my youngest daughter Katie who suggested I do a joke each day on social media not long after the lockdown had kicked in.

“Before we knew it, we’d got to day 54 when one of our Facebookers suggested I go for the 100 jokes.

“His name was Paul Ritchie and I bought into his idea right away.

“After all, I can’t go on indefinitely and as I write this the last NHS clap-off has just taken place.

“These clap-offs were an inspired idea and brought us all together to show our appreciation for the front-line heroes.

“When I say daily jokes, they come in various forms. It could be a couple of quick one-liners or a longer joke with a punchline.

‘Phenomenal job’

“In some cases it could be a poem. The trick is to keep it short. After all, there’s no live audience so it’s a silent feedback.

“I put on my character costume of tail coat, hat and wellingtons and do them in weekly batches of seven and just drop them in each day one at a time.

“Mrs Cricket’s the one behind the camera and she does a phenomenal job.

“I’m constantly astounded how good the quality is on her iPhone.

“I try to make them relevant to what’s happening in the news.

“For instance some schools are opening this week so I’ve been doing jokes about my schooldays.

“Next, I’ll theme my material on shops opening and so on.

“I’m thrilled by the emails and texts I get from people telling me how much I cheer them up.

“So back to the goal of a hundred. A quick calculation points to July the fourth as the big day.

“Look forward to welcoming as many people as possible on my journey of lockdown levity.”

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

Miming The Yellow Rose of Texas on the Andy Ford show! 150 150 mhamer

Miming The Yellow Rose of Texas on the Andy Ford show!

Hi folks this premiered last night on the #AndyFord Variety Show, Andy has some great acts on, so try and catch his show on Sunday nights!

Jimmy Cricket took part in the first of Andy Ford’s Sunday variety shows on Facebook.

The Northern Irish funnyman was among a host of entertainers who performed.

He mimed The Yellow Rose of Texas, which prompted a lot of positive comments on social media (see below).

Among the other acts were ventriloquist Steve Hewlett and magician/comedian Mark James.

The show is the brainwave of comedian Andy Ford, who introduced Jimmy as a “comedy legend”.

Andy Ford described Jimmy as a "comedy legend"

He posted the full show on Facebook and it attracted more than 3,000 views.

In addition, 280 comments were posted.

He said: “Just under 50,000 people watched my live stand up comedy shows on Sunday Nights on Facebook!!

“Well now I’m back…. every Sunday night… same time same place with an online Variety Show.

“Join me at 8.30pm for great entertainment with a host of stars performing direct to you!!”

‘Terrific. Brilliant. What timing!!’

Jimmy said: “Hi folks this premiered last night on the #AndyFord Variety Show.

“Andy has some great acts on, so try and catch his show on Sunday nights!” 🎭

Jimmy posted a video of his own performance on his Facebook page.

Here were some of the comments about his act:

Steve Ace Luff
Your timing is spot on
Well done loved it
Julie Corcoran
Amazing Jimmy you make me smile, that’s infectious & I can pass it on safely 💕
Lawrence Cody
I think the band may be a bunch of cowboys..trying to get in on the act..at least you kept your cool..great Jimmy..it made me laugh..
Mike Mendoza
Brilliant well done.
Ken Smith
Really Enjoyed that Jimmy
Johnny Cleveland
Absolutely love that record and your interpretation was brilliant with impeccable timing!
Anne Goddard
Terrific. Brilliant. What timing !!

Watch Jimmy’s performance (the post is on 8 June)

Visit Andy Ford’s Facebook page (and watch the full show)

Also read: New Twitter profile photo is ‘Laurel and Hardy combined!’