Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Watch slideshow of latest walkabout 150 150 mhamer

Watch slideshow of latest walkabout
Jimmy Cricket plays the saxophone during his Ormskirk walkabout

Jimmy plays the saxophone during his walkabout around Ormskirk

Jimmy Cricket decided to drop in on the good folk of Ormskirk ahead of his appearance at the town’s Civic Hall next month.

The visit followed the famous Northern Irish entertainer’s successful walkabout in Stockport Town Centre.

This time around he was ably joined  by comedian Adam Ruston who is promoting Jimmy’s visit, along with Thea – Ormskirk Civic Hall manager – and Lauren, the bar manager at the venue.

During Jimmy’s whistle-stop tour of downtown Ormskirk, he popped into the Lime Tyger bar and Disraelis 1 pub, and did a meet-and-greet around the main pedestrian area.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the first of March when I will bring my ‘Audience with Jimmy Cricket’ show to the town with supporting host, the comedian Tony Vino.”

Click here for more details about Jimmy’s show.

Click the arrow button below to view a slideshow of photos of Jimmy’s walkabout around Ormskirk.


Warm welcome on a cold afternoon 150 150 mhamer

Warm welcome on a cold afternoon
Jimmy Cricket with Annette Logan

Jimmy with Annette during his walkabout in Stockport

Jimmy Cricket received a warm welcome on a cold January day when he went for a  walkabout in Stockport town centre a few weeks ago.

Jimmy Cricket with Martin Logan

Jimmy with Martin

The well-known entertainer thought it would be a good way of promoting his forthcoming visit to Stockport’s Plaza Theatre.

Armed with his much-loved saxophone, he decided he would join his friends, the busking outfit called the Lamplighters, and walk from the pub called The Swan With Two Necks in central Stockport.

They went along Mersey Square in front of the main entrance to the Merseyway Shopping Centre, and then on to the theatre itself.

jimmy_cricket_darrenDuring the journey Jimmy bumped into lots of different faces, who greeted him with not only great surprise, but full of warmth as well.

This was really welcomed by Jimmy as it was, after all, a cold January afternoon!

Among the many pleasant people he met during the walk included Martin and Annette Logan (photos above and right) and Darren Healey (left).

Jimmy pays tribute to panto team 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy pays tribute to panto team
The entire panto cast including Yvonne Patterson who took on the role of Wicked Queen and the dancers from the Stockton Heritage dance studio

The entire panto cast, including Yvonne Patterson who took on the role of Wicked Queen and the dancers from the Stockton Heritage dance studio

Jimmy Cricket with Malcolm Dixon, who played the head dwarf, and whose wife Anita was the production’s stage manager

Jimmy with Malcolm Dixon, who played the head dwarf, and whose wife Anita was the production’s stage manager

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has been reflecting on the successful pantomime in which he starred over the festive season.

The Northern Irish entertainer played the comedy role of Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

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

In total, a record 30,000 spectators came through the theatre’s doors to watch Jimmy and the cast over several weeks.

And it consistently had excellent reviews from people who see the show during the Christmas and New Year period.

Jimmy said: “I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful cast that had been assembled and express my gratitude to the excellent production team that put the show together led by producer Duggie Chapman.

Jimmy Cricket and Kurtis Stacey

Jimmy and Stacey

“I am also grateful to all the wonderful staff at the Forum Theatre under the watchful eye of manager Derek Cooper.”

He also acknowledges the fantastic cottage (scene photo below) he stayed at over the duration of the pantomime which was situated within Abbey Hill Cottages and is run by Paul, Smokey and Mary.

Jimmy liked the North East venue so much that he will bring his stand-up comedy show to the Forum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday 6 April. To book tickets for Jimmy’s return visit with his comedy show, visit the theatre website here.

Jimmy Cricket stayed at a cottage in the countryside during the panto

Social club is ‘the place to be!’ 150 150 mhamer

Social club is ‘the place to be!’

Jimmy Cricket is returning to St Kentigern’s Irish Club in south ManchesterJimmy Cricket is returning next month to an Irish club which bills itself as “the place to be!”

The well-known entertainer has performed several times previously at St Kentigern’s Irish Social Club in Fallowfield, south Manchester.

And he is back there on Friday 7 February, with all the proceeds from the show being donated to the nearby Cornerstone Day Centre.

Jimmy has done several charity events at St Kentigern’s for this very worthy cause and the day centre is run by a magnificent and dedicated nun called Sr Lucy. It specialises in providing a helping hand to the homeless and dispossessed.

He said: “I have the utmost respect for the commitment and compassion Sr Lucy has for this day centre, so much so that I find it difficult to decline any requests for help from Sr Lucy with her fundraising for the centre!

“So if you are in the area on the seventh of February, come along and enjoy some craic [Gaelic word meaning ‘fun’] while raising money for a great cause.”

Festive Liz gets Wellie award 150 150 mhamer

Festive Liz gets Wellie award

Jimmy Cricket with marketing manager Liz CooperA lady who gave Jimmy Cricket and his panto colleagues a great Christmas send-off is the January winner of the Golden Wellie award.

Liz Cooper is the marking manager at the Forum Theatre in Billingham where the famous Northern Irish entertainer appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs over the festive period.

Jimmy said: “Liz went above the call of duty on Christmas Eve and decorated with festive trimmings the dressings rooms occupied by the cast of the pantomime. She was ably abetted in this feat by her daughter.

“In 25 years of doing pantos across the UK, this is the first time that I have encountered the theatre’s staff going to the length of ensuring the cast have a Christmas send-off  and this special gesture certainly got everyone into the Christmas spirit.”

Jimmy, whose festively decorated panto dressing room is pictured below, was so impressed and grateful for what Liz had done that he wanted to acknowledge her efforts by awarding her the Golden Wellington (above).

Jimmy Cricket's panto dressing room

Jimmy impersonator won Butlin’s award 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy impersonator won Butlin’s award
Philip Lewis is on the right of the talent show line-up

Philip Lewis is on the right of the talent show line-up

Pictures of a young Jimmy Cricket impersonator from the 1980s have been sent to the well-known Northern Irish entertainer.

They were posted to Jimmy at his home in Rochdale just before Christmas and were taken back in 1987 during a Butlin’s holiday talent show hosted at the Grand Hotel in Scarborough.

Philip won an award for his Jimmy Cricket impersonation

Philip won an award for his impersonation

The focus of the photos are a young man named Philip Lewis who, as a 10-year-old, entered the competition complete with hat and wellies!

It was at a time when Jimmy had several television series on ITV and Philip was dressed up in attire for which Jimmy had become famous.

And Philip did such a great job of impersonating Jimmy that he won an award for it!

Jimmy said: “It was a nice surprise when I opened the letter containing these pictures and a bit of nostalgia crept in as well.”

Centre of attention in Birmingham 150 150 mhamer

Centre of attention in Birmingham

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Birmingham Irish CentreThis great photo of famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket was taken when he appeared at the Birmingham Irish Centre.

Photographer Chris Egan posted the picture – which was also published in a publication for the Irish community living in the UK called the Irish Post – on his Twitter feed.

Jimmy said: “Thanks To Chris for posting this photo online and for more information on his photography services check out his website [http://www.chriseganphotography.com].”

At the show last autumn, Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy appeared with the traditional Irish musical outfit Irish Mist, a four-piece traditional/folk band.