Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Eighth season at Blackpool’s Lyndene comes to a close 150 150 mhamer

Eighth season at Blackpool’s Lyndene comes to a close

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

Jimmy Cricket signs off his eighth season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool next week.

The Northern Irish funnyman is back at the popular venue in the famous North West seaside resort on Wednesday (6 December).

It will be his sixth and final appearance of 2023 at the Lyndene.

Jimmy will again do two shows on the night, one in each of the hotel lounges.

Rochdale-based Jimmy has dubbed the Lyndene as his “second home”!

The hotel’s website says: “Located on Blackpool’s glorious seafront, the Lyndene Hotel is the No 1 choice for hotels with entertainment in Britain’s favourite holiday destination.

“Situated amongst family attractions, glittering show venues, great shopping and Blackpool’s jewel, the Blackpool Tower, our hotel is in the prime position for your holiday base.

“With sweeping views across the Irish Sea with incomparable sunsets and people-watching, the Lyndene Hotel has all the amenities to make your stay perfect.

“Our entertainment keeps our guests returning to us again and again.

“Widely known as Blackpool’s No 1 entertainment hotel, we offer THREE superb cabaret acts each evening, every evening, all year around.

“Unlike many Blackpool hotels, the Lyndene offers FREE onsite parking, subject to availability.”

Trivia: The hotel appeared as Le Ponderosa in the second series of Peter Kay’s TV hit comedy Phoenix Nights.

See all Jimmy’s booked shows here.

Buy Jimmy’s 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 is available at online retailer Amazon here.

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

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!

View photos from Jimmy’s first Lyndene Hotel shows of 2023

Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post! 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!
The Jimmy Cricket Story is the famous comedian's official autobiography
Signed copies of Jimmy Cricket’s autobiography can now be bought by post.
Jimmy has said he is always happy to sign books at his live gigs, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.
And he has also provided the opportunity for people to purchase a signed copy of Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian via the Jimmy Cricket Website.
Go to the Shop section on the site and follow the instructions towards the bottom of the page.

The cost is £15.99 (with £3.99 for postage and packaging included).

It is also in ebook format priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free). Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

Mary’s Meals

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

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 where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

Vince Hill was ‘one of the nation’s finest vocalists’ 150 150 mhamer

Vince Hill was ‘one of the nation’s finest vocalists’

Jimmy Cricket used a recent newspaper column to pay tribute to the late, great Vince Hill

A light went out in the entertainment industry when Vince Hill passed away earlier this year, says Jimmy Cricket.

Entertainer Jimmy pays tribute in a recent newspaper column to singer/songwriter Vince, best known for his cover of the hit Edelweiss.

His version reached number two in the UK pop charts in 1967. It stayed in the charts for 17 weeks.

The song was originally from the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.

In a recent Blackpool Gazette column (which also appears in the Lancashire Evening Post newspaper), Jimmy recalls Vince’s amazing life and career.

He describes him as “one of the nation’s finest vocalists”.

“Most readers will remember Vince for his big hits during the 60s like Edelweiss from the musical, The Sound of Music, and Roses of Picardy – a ballad about a wartime romance.”

Jimmy recalls doing several UK tours with Vince, including of Scotland.

“Vince enthralled the Scottish audiences, especially when he did this amazing arrangement of Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s most popular tunes.”

He concludes: “When he left us, we lost one of our greatest ever singers and a light went out in the UK entertainment industry.”

Successful TV shows

Vince first sang in public as a teenager and joined vocal group The Raindrops, but went solo in the early sixties.

He rose to fame with his debut single The River’s Run Dry and went on to produce a number of hits.

His other songs included Take Me To Your Heart Again and Love Letters In The Sand.

While known mainly for his singing, he was also a songwriter.

Additionally, he hosted several successful TV shows during the seventies and eighties, including the BBC’s The Musical Time Machine.

Before finding fame as a singer, he worked as baker, truck driver and coal miner.

Vince died peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire on 22 July.

Read: The life of British singer Vince Hill

From this website: Vince Hill: Cherished memories of touring Scotland with him

Autobiography – Buy Jimmy Cricket’s autobiography now

 

An Englishman, Irishman and Italian climb into a car… 150 150 mhamer

An Englishman, Irishman and Italian climb into a car…

Jimmy Cricket has been a newspaper columnist for almost a decade - but he appeared in a fellow funnyman's column about a car share earlier this week!

Jimmy Cricket has been a newspaper columnist for almost a decade – but he featured in a fellow funnyman’s column earlier this week!

The Northern Irish entertainer appeared in Steve Royle’s latest Blackpool Gazette column.

It centred on how they and another comedian, Tony Vino, did a car share to a gig in Essex.

Steve is an actor, writer, comedian, juggler and presenter.

He was a finalist on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.

Tony has been a professional comedian for more than 10 years, touring both nationally and internationally.

Steve’s column begins: “An Englishman, Irishman and an Italian climb into a car.

Autobiography

“Sounds like the start to a bad joke but in actual fact it was the beginning of a marvellous journey.

“Having the company of two great comics on such an epic journey was more entertaining than the gig itself, with plenty of amazing anecdotes, especially from my fellow Lancashire Evening Post columnist, Jimmy.

“He has an autobiography out at the moment and even though I bought a copy, I think he told us virtually every story in it during the 14-hour round trip.”

Jimmy’s autobiography, Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian, costs £11.99 as a paperback.

It tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

Poorest communities

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

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 where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

 

 

‘Lovely community inspired evening’ in memory of Mike Berry 150 150 mhamer

‘Lovely community inspired evening’ in memory of Mike Berry

Lovely community inspired evening in memorial tribute to the wonderful Michael Berry who with family and friends restored and rebuilt the @EmpireTheatreBB

The tribute show to a theatre stalwart was a “lovely community” event, according to famous comedian Jimmy Cricket.

The Northern Irish entertainer was among a host of performers at the Blackburn event which fondly remembered the late Michael Berry.

Mike, dubbed Mr Sunshine, had helped to restore the Blackburn Empire Theatre to its former glory over many years.

He was known as the “driving force” behind the venue’s successful revival.

Jimmy posted on social media after the show: “Lovely community inspired evening in memorial tribute to the wonderful Michael Berry who with family and friends restored and rebuilt the @EmpireTheatreBB.”

Mike died in February aged 80 after a brave battle against illness.

The Empire’s website says: “Michael was a big driving force in the fundraising efforts that helped to restore the Empire Theatre to its former glory.

Future generations

“Even though he is no longer with us, we are continuing to raise funds in his honour.

“Donations in Michael’s memory funded the full refurbishment of the stalls bar.

“We hope that this concert will help us to refurbish the balcony bar as well.”

Also read on this website: Mike Berry ‘was the heart of Blackburn Empire Theatre’

Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS

So sad to hear of the passing of my wonderful friend (to so many artists), Mike Berry who was the heart @EmpireTheatreBB and was also director/performer. He will be missed by his lovely wife Linda and family members alongside his many friends and everyone who loves live theatre!

Celebrating Mr Sunshine – show remembers Mike Berry 150 150 mhamer

Celebrating Mr Sunshine – show remembers Mike Berry

A show paying tribute to Mr Sunshine, the late Mike Berry, takes place on Saturday (28 October) at the theatre he helped to restore to its former glory.

A show paying tribute to Mr Sunshine, the late Mike Berry, takes place on Saturday (28 October) at the theatre he helped restore to its former glory.

Mike was the “driving force” behind Blackburn Empire Theatre.

He died in February this year aged 80 after a brave battle against illness.

The Empire’s website says: “On February 5th, 2023, the Empire Theatre lost its chairman and best friend, Michael Berry.

“Michael was loved by many and we invite you to join us in an evening to celebrate his life and legacy.

“The show will feature performances from people and groups who Michael both supported and performed with.

“Tickets are ‘Pay What You Want’ with all donations going to help fund the ongoing renovation work at the theatre.”

The suggested ticket price is £10 for the show which starts at 7.30pm.

It continues: “Michael was a big driving force in the fundraising efforts that helped to restore the Empire Theatre to its former glory.

Future generations

“Even though he is no longer with us, we are continuing to raise funds in his honour.

“Donations in Michael’s memory funded the full refurbishment of the stalls bar.

“We hope that this concert will help us to refurbish the balcony bar as well.

“We hope to see you there to celebrate the life of Michael Berry and to help us keep the Empire Theatre alive for future generations.”

Comedian Jimmy Cricket, a good friend of Mike’s, will be among the performers on the night.

Book your tickets here.

Also read on this website: Mike Berry ‘was the heart of Blackburn Empire Theatre’

Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS

So sad to hear of the passing of my wonderful friend (to so many artists), Mike Berry who was the heart @EmpireTheatreBB and was also director/performer. He will be missed by his lovely wife Linda and family members alongside his many friends and everyone who loves live theatre!

Happiness exhibition is ‘wonderful tribute to Ken’ 150 150 mhamer

Happiness exhibition is ‘wonderful tribute to Ken’

What a wonderful visit to the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ today when we went to the @MuseumLiverpool and met up with Lady Anne Dodd and the curator Karen O’ Rourke, what a fantastic tribute to Ken!

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed a “wonderful visit” to a special exhibition held in honour of his great friend, the late Sir Ken Dodd.

Sir Ken is being remembered with a nostalgic display of memorabilia in his beloved hometown of Liverpool.

A famous comedian and singer, Sir Ken died in March 2018 at the age of 90.

He often did very long stand-up shows, which would last until the early hours of the morning!

People will also remember him fondly for his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash (where he was born and died) and his tickling stick.

The Museum of Liverpool exhibition, entitled Happiness!, celebrates his life and career.

It is running for six months until 3 March 2024.

The website promoting the event says: “Ken’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour transformed the UK’s comedy scene.

‘Natural gift for making people laugh’

“Using memorabilia from Ken Dodd’s personal archive, this show will explore Ken’s career and how his comedic approach continues to be used and adopted by some of the UK’s most well-known and emerging comedians.

“Fondly remembered for the magical world he created, including Ken Dodd’s Diddymen, his tickling stick and the jam butty mines, his true passion was his natural gift for making people laugh.

“The exhibition will build on Ken’s passion, looking at the science of comedy, happiness and why laughter is good for our health.”

You can book tickets here for the exhibition.

Fellow funnyman Jimmy visited the exhibition yesterday (Thursday, 19 October).

He said: “What a wonderful visit to the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ today when we went to the @MuseumLiverpool and met up with Lady Anne Dodd and the curator Karen O’ Rourke.

“What a fantastic tribute to Ken!”

Signature song

The son of a coal merchant, Ken Dodd had been a comedian since 1954.

He made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer.

He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40.

His version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

And his recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965.

It was the biggest hit single in Britain that year, selling more than one million copies in the UK alone.

Autobiography

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is priced at £11.99 as a paperback.

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

Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

Jimmy has said he is happy to sign copies of the book at his live shows, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

Mary’s Meals

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

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 where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!