Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Back to the 80s in aid of charity 150 150 mhamer

Back to the 80s in aid of charity

The Rochdale Observer's coverage of Red Nose DayIrish entertainer Jimmy Cricket went back to the 1980s as he joined in with a rendition of A-ha’s Take on Me – all in aid of Comic Relief.

The Rochdale-based comedian teamed up with the Littleborough Rock Choir on Red Nose Day (15 March) for their special fancy dress rehearsal.

He also sang John Farnham’s You’re the Voice – another 80s hit – with the choir.

The evening raised around £70 and choir master Phil Reynolds was thrilled that as well as joining in with rehearsals, Jimmy also performed one of his own songs called The lady From My Sat Nav.

His local newspaper, the Rochdale Observer, ran an account of local Red Nose Day activities, with Jimmy featuring in two out of the four photos (above and below)!

* Comic Relief is a major UK charity set up in 1985 which strives to create a just world free from poverty, raising awareness and money through activities based around entertainment. its two big fundraising campaigns being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

The Rochdale Observer's coverage of Red Nose Day

‘Best Irish comedy act you will ever see’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Best Irish comedy act you will ever see’

Jimmy Cricket has been described as “Ken Dodd, Tommy Cooper and Les Dawson all rolled into one”.

Jimmy Cricket performs at Boothys in Mansfield on Friday 5 April

The famous comedian appears on a night of laughter and music at Boothys in Mansfield on Friday 5 April, with organiser Gerry Molumby insisting: “He is the best Irish comedy act you will ever see.”

Acushla will provide the music, while one or two local acts may also perform on the night.

The show begins at 8pm and tickets are £8, available from Boothys or, if there are any left, on the door on the night.

Boothys’ address is 2 West Hill Drive, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Postcode is NG18 1PJ and telephone number 01623 623729.

It’s William Caulfield, So It Is 150 150 mhamer

It’s William Caulfield, So It Is

Jimmy and Fiona in front ofl the legendary Europa Hotel Jimmy Cricket was stopped for a photograph as he walked near the legendary Europa Hotel in his birth city of Belfast.

The famous comedian, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, was on Queen Victoria  Street in Belfast when he was asked for a picture with Fiona Burt (above) who then quickly put it on Facebook.

Jimmy was in Belfast to take part in the radio show, It’s William Caulfield, So It Is, for BBC Radio Ulster which stars local North Ireland comedian William Caulfield.

The show will be broadcast in April and while Jimmy was out and about in central Belfast – not too far away from the studio – he was grabbed by Fiona for this photo.

Jimmy said: “It was a real thrill to appear on William’s programme as I have followed his career over the years.

“The show was recorded in front of a live studio audience at Blackstaff House and I wish William and the production team all the best with the remaining episodes of the series.”

More details on William can be found at http://www.williamcaulfield.co.uk

Working with Shane Richie 30 years ago 150 150 mhamer

Working with Shane Richie 30 years ago

Jimmy Cricket and the band at Pontins on the Isle of WightJimmy Cricket was recently reminded of the days when he worked at a Pontins holiday village where fellow TV star Shane Richie was the entertainments manager!

Terri Gardner, who worked with Jimmy in the early 1980s, sent the photo above via a Facebook message.

The picture features Terri and her partner, Ron, and the rest of their band alongside Jimmy at the Pontins holiday village called Little Canada on the Isle of Wight back in 1983.

Jimmy said: “Actually the band worked with me a few times that year and the really interesting fact associated with this holiday village during the same year was that the entertainments manager was none other than Shane Richie!”

Richie is an English actor, comedian, singer and media personality, well-known for his portrayal of the character Alfie Moon in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.

Wearing a red nose for great cause 150 150 mhamer

Wearing a red nose for great cause

Jimmy Cricket with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Kelly and Michelle Major, a laughter yoga instructor

Jimmy Cricket is urging everyone to contribute to Comic Relief on Red Nose Day.

The famous Irish comic was at the studios of BBC Radio Ulster recently helping to promote the big fund-raising event which takes place on Friday (15 March).

Comic Relief is a major UK charity set up in 1985 which strives to create a just world free from poverty, raising awareness and money through activities based around entertainment. its two big fundraising campaigns being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

Belfast-born Jimmy popped over to have a chat with Gerry on his Saturday show on BBC Radio Ulster while he was on tour in Northern Ireland with a show featuring popular showband Clubsound.Jimmy Cricket sporting red nose at BBC Radio Ulster to help promote Comic Relief

The entertainer will again perform with Clubsound on the second leg of the tour, which is being promoted by Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment promotions Company, David Hull Promotions, from 18 to 20 April.

Jimmy said: “I encourage everyone to donate to Comic Relief and hope everyone will enjoy whatever fundraising activities they are involved with for this great cause!”

He is pictured above with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Kelly and another of the show’s guests – Michelle Major, a laughter yoga instructor.

Milton wants old pal in audience 150 150 mhamer

Milton wants old pal in audience
Milton Jones talks about his friendship with Jimmy Cricket in the Rochdale Observer

Milton Jones talks about his friendship with fellow comedian Jimmy Cricket in the Rochdale Observer paper

TV comedian Milton Jones is hoping to spot a famous friend in the audience when he performs in Rochdale later this month.

The Rochdale Observer featured an article on Saturday 2 March about the Mock of the Week star appearing at the Gracie Fields Theatre.

Milton mentions that he knows Jimmy and has visited him in Rochdale – he has even popped round for lunch in the past!

They hit it off when they performed on the same bill at the Edinburgh Festival in the late 1990s and the pair have stayed in touch ever since.

And he is looking forward to performing in Belfast-born Jimmy’s adopted home town for the first time.

“I do know Jimmy Cricket and I have visited him a couple of times,” said Milton who is also well-known for his Hawaiian shirts.

Deadpan style of comedy

“He has lived in Rochdale for years, he likes it there and he is always very pleasant. So I think of Rochdale as a friendly place.”

Mock The Week is a BBC Two topical comedy TV panel show hosted by Dara Ó Briain and also featuring Hugh Dennis, Andy Parsons and Chris Addison.

Master of the one-liner Milton has had various shows on BBC Radio 4 and won the Perrier comedy award for best newcomer in 1996.

He tours the UK periodically and is a regular performer at The Comedy Store in London and Manchester.

Milton’s deadpan style of comedy delivers quickfire gags, wordplay and punchlines with gaps for the audience to fill in.

To see Milton Jones at the Gracie Fields Theatre at 8pm on 20 March, contact the box office on 01706 716 689. Tickets cost £20.

‘Successful and highly enjoyable’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Successful and highly enjoyable’

Jimmy Cricket is dockside with (from left): - Joan, David, Roger, Craig and ColinJimmy Cricket made friends with a former cook for the Queen and an American who performs Elton John tributes during his week’s stay on a cruise ship.

The famous Irish comedian appeared on a leg of a world cruise aboard P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner, between Honolulu in Hawaii and Papeete in Tahiti.

P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner

He performed in two shows over the seven nights he and wife May spent on board, mainly while the ship was at sea.

After leaving the ship, they had an overnight stay on Tahiti, before doing two overnight flights in order to get back to the UK.Papeete in Tahiti

In the picture at the top of this story, Jimmy is dockside with (from left):

– Joan and David Alan who were lecturers onboard and their specialist subject was broadcasting

 – Roger Wright was the first Simba in the London West End version of the Disney musical The Lion King and he also came third in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for someone to play the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar that was broadcast on ITV a couple of years ago

Papeete in Tahiti

 – Craig is an American piano player and vocalist who did an Elton John tribute

 – Colin Fry, who lives in Harrogate, was the Queen’s Cook for five years and was on the Aurora giving talks on this role.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed my short stay on the island. It was a nice and relaxing end to what proved a very successful and highly enjoyable working engagement on board this P&O vessel.”

Jimmy Cricket in Tahiti

 

In McDonald's in Papeete!

In McDonald’s in Papeete!