Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

‘It was wonderful working in this great variety show’ 150 150 mhamer

‘It was wonderful working in this great variety show’

It was wonderful working in this great variety show last night @GCHalls with show host Sean McDonald, compere (my son) @FatherFrankie & Fr Ray Kelly, with @LadyM_McManus and St Roch’s Ceili Band, alongside Harrison’s School of Irish Dance, & Maureen O’Kelly & Carfin Choristers

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with his youngest son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, for a special St Patrick’s variety concert in Scotland.

The show took place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Monday (11 March).

Also among the entertainers was singing priest Fr Ray Kelly, who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2018.

Fr Frankie, a comedian like his dad, was the compere for the evening.

Glasgow’s own St Roch’s Ceili Band & Harrison School of Irish Dance, plus a surprise guest vocalist, also performed.

The show took place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Jimmy said afterwards: “It was wonderful working in this great variety show @GCHalls with show host Sean McDonald, compere (my son) @FatherFrankie & Fr Ray Kelly, with @LadyM_McManus and St Roch’s Ceili Band, alongside Harrison’s School of Irish Dance, & Maureen O’Kelly & Carfin Choristers.”

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!

Here at the ever-popular Lyndene Hotel for a ninth year! 150 150 mhamer

Here at the ever-popular Lyndene Hotel for a ninth year!

Hi friends here at the ever popular @LyndeneHotel for the 9th year, with resident compere/singer/instrumentalist and great friend @TomCollinsJimmy Cricket’s ninth season at a popular Blackpool hotel is under way.

The well-known Northern Irish comedian made his first appearance of the year at the promenade venue on Wednesday (6 March).

Jimmy has been a regular performer at the Lyndene over the past decade (apart from the enforced break due to Covid).

He posted on social media: “Hi friends, here at the ever popular @LyndeneHotel for the 9th year, with resident compere/singer/instrumentalist and great friend @TomCollins.”

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 continuing success.

Jimmy said: “The location is a vital attribute, because the Lyndene is within close proximity to the Blackpool attractions, especially the Pleasure Beach.

“You can’t miss it – it’s the big blue one with all lights fully on and a big sign that says LYNDENE HOTEL!”

Jimmy’s other three shows there during the 2024 season are:

  • Wednesday 5 June
  • Wednesday 4 September
  • 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!

Gerry Kelly show hears how Jimmy’s showbiz dream came true 150 150 mhamer

Gerry Kelly show hears how Jimmy’s showbiz dream came true

Jimmy Cricket appeared on the Conversations with Gerry Kelly Show

Jimmy Cricket’s rise to fame was far from easy, the famous comedian told popular chatshow host Gerry Kelly.

Speaking on the Conversations with Gerry Kelly show, Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy revealed he had been rejected five times for talent shows.

But he went on to become a household name with his own television series.

The interview was broadcast last week and can be watched on YouTube here.

It also aired on the community channel NVTV and Sky Channel 588

One viewer said: “Watched your interview Jimmy – it was great.

“You are a real ambassador for where you were born – Cookstown and our province.”

The introduction to the Gerry Kelly show said: “‘Come ‘ere, there’s more’ – the catchphrase of one of Northern Ireland’s most successful comedians.

“Born in Cookstown, Jimmy Mulgrew went on to become one of the highest-paid performers in the UK.

Jimmy Cricket appeared on the Conversations with Gerry Kelly Show“Audiences came to know him as Jimmy Cricket, but his climb to the top of the entertainment world didn’t come easy.

“Rejection after rejection, disappointment after disappointment, forced to take a series of menial jobs, it was Jimmy’s self-belief and determination that eventually won through.

“A story of perseverance and strength of character, there is much more to Jimmy Cricket than a silly haunday  and a pair of wellington boots.”

The comedian had left secondary school with no qualifications and worked in multiple jobs around Belfast.

However, he continued to dream of a career in showbusiness.

“I used to avidly watch Sunday .

“I loved the comedian Billy Dainty and I got to do pantomime with him years later,” recalled Jimmy, who went on to perform at the Palladium himself.

Details on how to buy Jimmy’s autobiography and DVD can be found here.

Jimmy Cricket is ‘friendly and funny… a great, old-school comic’! 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket is ‘friendly and funny… a great, old-school comic’!

Jimmy Cricket's Big Shows takes place at the Belgrade Theatre on Thursday 29 February (1.30pm start).The young stand-up comedians of today could learn plenty from famous comic Jimmy Cricket.

That’s the view of musician Andy Eastwood, who is hosting a midday variety event in Coventry, which Jimmy is headlining.

Jimmy Cricket’s Big Show takes place at the Belgrade Theatre on Thursday 29 February (1.30pm start).

'Unmissable afternoon of top-class variety theatre' in Coventry with JImmy Cricket the headline act

Organisers promise a “heart-warming afternoon of comedy, songs, music and fun”.

A spokesperson for the theatre said tickets were selling fast.

The Coventry Observer published an article about the event.

It said: “The fun-filled show heralds a new season of Midday Variety, which has become very popular at the Belgrade Theatre over the past decade.”

Andy Eastwood is quoted in the piece as saying: “To have Jimmy Cricket with us is a real treat as he’s one of the great, old-school comics.

“Comedy trends have come and gone, but Jimmy has stayed true to his style: warm, friendly and funny without ever an insult.

“Today’s young stand-ups could learn a lot from him!”

Joining Jimmy and Andy on stage are the multi-talented virtuoso Gordon Cree, the stunning mezzo-soprano voice of Cheryl Forbes and Kearra Bethany, with her flawless tribute to the legendary Barbra Streisand.

Book here for the performance

Also read from this website: Coventry show will be ‘wonderful afternoon of feel-good entertainment’

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

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

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of the comic’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!

 

Singing and comedian priests in St Patrick’s variety concert 150 150 mhamer

Singing and comedian priests in St Patrick’s variety concert

Singing and comedy priests in St Patrick's variety concert.

Fr Frankie Mulgrew is one of two priests helping to provide the entertainment at a special St Patrick’s variety concert next month.

Jimmy Cricket, Fr Frankie’s famous father, is also on the show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Monday 11 March.

Both will be teaming up with singing priest Fr Ray Kelly, who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2018.

A comedian like his dad, Fr Frankie will be the compere for the evening, which starts at 7.30pm.

Glasgow’s own St Roch’s Ceili Band & Harrison School of Irish Dance, plus a surprise guest vocalist, are also performing.

Ring the box office on 0141 353 8000 or you can book tickets online here.

Jimmy said: “I’m heading up to bonnie Scotland to work at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with my son @FatherFrankie and Fr Ray Kelly from BGT.
“Also, St Roch’s Ceili Band and Harrison School of Irish Dance, raising funds for food banks and the homeless.”

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!

Talking Pictures TV festival: Singer Tony Christie among performers 150 150 mhamer

Talking Pictures TV festival: Singer Tony Christie among performers

Looking forward to joining this great cast of fellow performers for @TalkingPicsTV this coming 20th July weekend!A Festival of Film being staged by Talking Pictures TV and Renown Pictures later this year will feature a host of entertainers, including comedian Jimmy Cricket and singer Tony Christie.

The event takes place at The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, Wales, on Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 July.

Northern Irishman Jimmy has performed at a Talking Pictures TV production previously, appearing alongside fellow comic Jimmy Tarbuck and actor Tim Healy in October 2022.

Speaking about the show this summer, he said: “Looking forward to joining this great cast of fellow performers for Talking Pics TV!”

Radio DJ Mike Read is one of the hosts for the weekend.

For details of how to book, phone (freephone) 0808 178 8212.

Tony Christie, now 80, found fame in the 1970s with songs such as (Is This the Way to) Amarillo.

A special Festival of Film later this year, staged by TV channel Talking Pictures, will feature a host of entertainers including comedian Jimmy Cricket and singer Tony Christie.In 2002, comedian Peter Kay used Amarillo on his TV show Phoenix Nights, leading to a resurgence in the song’s popularity.

Talking Pictures TV is an independent archive film and television channel.

It is available on Virgin 445, Freesat 306, Freeview or Youview 82 or on the Sky digital satellite platform, channel 328.

Its website says: “Do you remember the thrill and excitement of Saturday Morning Pictures?

“Where heroes and villains and clowns and crooners, invariably in glorious black and white, would entertain you for hours?

 

“Now those glorious days return, and it’s not just for Saturday mornings.

“It’s 24 hours a day. Every day!”

Find out more about the TV channel here.

Renown Pictures Corporation is a British film distributor founded by producer George Minter in 1938.

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!

Raising a toast to ‘the godfather of theatrical agents’ 150 150 mhamer

Raising a toast to ‘the godfather of theatrical agents’

Former theatrical agent Johnny Martin was there when his acts needed him the most, says famous comedian Jimmy Cricket.

Former theatrical agent Johnny Martin was there when his acts needed him the most, says famous comedian Jimmy Cricket.

Jimmy and two fellow famous entertainers met up a few months ago to celebrate Johnny’s career.

In his latest newspaper column, which appears in both the Lancashire Evening Post and the Blackpool Gazette, Jimmy recalls the meeting.

He says: “On a sunny Sunday afternoon in late October last year, three entertainers – Syd Little (of Little and Large fame), Phil Cool (comedian, impressionist and musician) and Jimmy Cricket (that’s me folks), gathered at the Bukhara Indian Restaurant near Preston, to celebrate the career of former theatrical agent Johnny Martin.

“This was quite an unusual event in the entertainment world.

“Normally, agents stay in the background while their artistes get all the plaudits… in other words they get the commission while their turns get the glory.

Excited tones

“So, what made Johnny – who now resides in Chorley – so special? Well, he was there when his acts needed them most.

“Let’s let Syd tell his story first: “My partner Eddie Large had to retire because of heart problems, so one minute I was one half of one of the most successful comedy double acts in Britian and the next I was on my own.

“Johnny believed I could  go solo and got me a booking entertaining passengers on the QE2.

“He also encouraged me to write a book about my time as part of Little and Large… he helped me promote it well as getting me live work around the country… and he was there for me when I needed somebody to help build my confidence.

“You could say he’s the godfather of theatrical agents.

Short-lived

“My personal anecdote about Johnny was the time he fixed pantomime for me in my hometown.

“I remember the telephone conversation vividly when he told me in excited tones that he’d booked me to do Jack and The Beanstalk at the Grand Opera House in Belfast at the end of that year.

“Unfortunately, my euphoria was short-lived, for a few weeks later he rang again and this time in more sombre tones he told me that a bomb had gone off next door to the theatre and the pantomime may now not go ahead.

“He said he’d keep me posted.

“I can’t tell you how deflated I was readers, when I put the phone down after that conversation.

“However, like all good pantomimes this story does have a happy ending, because within a few weeks, Johnny rang to say that with the help of a few very talented architects and engineers the theatre could be saved, repaired and brought back to its former glory.

Emotional moment

“It wouldn’t be completely ready for that Christmas, so we would have to change in portable cabins, but that was a minor inconvenience.

“The important thing was Jack and The Beanstalk opened and played to record attendances that year.

“And it had a lot to do with the people of Belfast voting with their feet and showing they wouldn’t be beaten by violence.

“Closer to home now for Phil‘s heart-warming story of how when he had developed his unique style of impressions that entailed bringing his characters to life with his descriptive facial expressions.

“It was Johnny who kept bringing producers and promoters into see his live act that eventually led to him having his own television series.

Yes, it was an emotional moment in that restaurant for Johnny and his lovely wife Chris, as we all raised a toast to the man who helped our career when we needed it most.

“In fact, we all enjoyed our lunchtime get-together so much, that we even thought of forming our own showbiz fraternity to meet in the future.

“Syd suggested calling ourselves ‘The Chorley Chaplin’s’, but Johnny himself had the last word.

“He said: ‘Instead of ‘The Four Musketeers’, how about ‘The Four Must Have a Beers!'”.

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

Don’t forget 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!