Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

My thanks for 2023 – and here’s what happening in 2024! 150 150 mhamer

My thanks for 2023 – and here’s what happening in 2024!
Strictly Come Dancing is the theme of Jimmy Cricket's 2023 Christmas card.

Jimmy’s Christmas card for this year

Hi folks, it’s me, Jimmy, come closer!

As we approach the end of 2023, I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who came out to see me at one of my live shows this year, and who bought my new autobiography which came out on the first of April.

I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about some of the exciting things that will be happening in 2024…

There’s nowhere quite like Blackpool and next March I’ll be playing my ninth season at the lovely Lyndene Hotel on the promenade.

The four dates there next year are as follows:

  • Wednesday 6 March
  • Wednesday 5 June
  • Wednesday 4 September
  • Wednesday 4 December.

Also in March I’ll be going back to the Cabaret Lounge in Hull for my fifth appearance for owners Paul and Bev – on Sunday 17 March (St Patrick’s Day of course!).

And to round off a great month, I’ll be doing a three-day theatre tour of Northern Ireland with my fellow Irish comedians Roy Walker, Adrian Walsh and Gene Fitzpatrick.

The dates for that are:

In July I’ll be doing two shows for my favourite television channel – Talking Pictures – at the Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, Wales. For anyone who can’t get to the actual shows, they will be televised.

I’ll keep you in touch with these shows and any others on this website via the Tour Dates section.

In the meantime, my wife May and myself wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Yours Truly

Jimmy

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!

If you’re looking to buy someone a lovely Christmas present, then don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is on sale!The Jimmy Cricket Story is the famous comedian's official autobiography

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

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

The day I saved a Christmas TV show by playing an unexpected role 150 150 mhamer

The day I saved a Christmas TV show by playing an unexpected role

Jimmy Cricket tells in his latest newspaper column how he once saved the day on a Christmas TV show - by stepping in as the Fairy Godmother at short notice.

Jimmy Cricket once saved the day on a Christmas TV show – by stepping in as the Fairy Godmother at short notice!

In his last newspaper column of 2023, the famous funnyman recalls how he ended up “complete in fairy frock, full make-up, blonde wig, not to mention my wellies”.

Here is the full article, which appeared in both the Blackpool Gazette and the Lancashire Evening Post newspapers:

The London Weekend Television studio was filled with Christmas decorations capturing the yuletide spirit. All around were fairy lights, tinsel and holly…

Cornucopia of celebrities

However, this show was different – it was being made in the middle of August and it was sizzling outside.

It was the early 80s and I was a guest on the Krankies Christmas show. I did a stand-up spot as a postman and, naturally, I had my own letter from my mammy.

It had lines like “I’m not sending out any Christmas cards this year, son, because of the price of postage… and I’ve sent letters to all my friends telling them that”.

Also on the TV show was a mini-pantomime with a cornucopia of celebrities playing different roles. One of them was Bernie Winters.

Big sad eyes

Older readers will remember that Bernie and his brother Mike were a well-known comedy double act that were very popular on television in the 60s and 70s.

They were called, naturally enough, Mike and Bernie Winters. When the double act disbanded, Bernie got himself another partner – Snorbitz the dog.

Snorbitz was a large St Bernard dog with a lugubrious face and big sad eyes who endeared himself to the audience every time he came on stage with Bernie.

Indeed, I remember being in the line-up after a Royal Variety show once, standing beside Bernie and when Princess Diane came along the queue to shake hands with us; she was disappointed not to see Snorbitz by Bernie’s side.

Back to the Krankies Christmas show.

Hard to believe

Another well-known TV personality was playing the Fairy Godmother in that mini-pantomime, namely impressionist and singer Faith Brown.

Unfortunately, Faith collapsed just a couple of hours before the programme was recorded and was told by a medical examiner that she had to rest and take no more part in the show.

Looking back now, what happened next readers is something I find hard to believe even as I write it, but it’s absolutely true…

Come closer… Ian (Krankie) and Bernie both took me to the side and almost in unison asked me would I step up and play the part of the Fairy Godmother.

Of course, it was a preposterous suggestion and my immediate inclination was to politely decline.

But then I thought about all the actors rehearsing all their lines in the week, leading up to show and how depleted they’d feel.

Whisked into make-up

So, I threw caution to the wind and, in my best “The show must go on” voice, I agreed.

Time was now of the essence.

Jimmy Cricket as the Fairy Godmother in the Krankies Christmas special.

I was whisked into make-up, then wardrobe and that night I stepped out in front of the studio audience waving my wand, complete in fairy frock, full make-up, blonde wig, not to mention my wellies.

I looked like a cross between Harpo Marx and Dolly Parton… but surely you wouldn’t have had time to rehearse your lines, I hear you silently say to yourself.

Well, that hurdle was surmounted by the production team holding cue cards with the words of the couplets written on them.

I rattled them off as if I was looking straight to camera.

Well, we got through and the fairy saved the day.

I got a healthy response from the audience and as I glanced across at Snorbitz I could have sworn he clapped his paws together!

Oh, and like all good pantomimes it has a happy ending because Faith Brown recovered and went on to play (superbly) the lead role of Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s touring version of Sunset Boulevard.

Happy Christmas readers.

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.

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.

 

As latest Lyndene season ends, next one is only months away! 150 150 mhamer

As latest Lyndene season ends, next one is only months away!

Hi folks, my last @LyndeneHotel (and it’s Christmas themed) gig of 2023 but looking forward to what will be my 9th year starting March 2024. My thanks to compère/multi instrumentalist Tom Collins for all his help this year! 🎭#threeactsanight

Jimmy Cricket completed his latest season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool this week – and immediately looked forward to the next one!

The Northern Irish funnyman has performed at the popular venue in the famous North West seaside resort for EIGHT years.

And he promised he will return early in 2023.

Wednesday (6 December) was Jimmy’s sixth and final appearance of the year at the Lyndene.

He posted the photos above on social media, saying: “My last @LyndeneHotel (and Christmas-themed) gig of 2023.

“But looking forward to what will be my ninth year starting March 2024.

“My thanks to compère/multi instrumentalist Tom Collins for all his help this year! #threeactsanight.”

Jimmy and other entertainers do two shows on the night, one in each of the hotel lounges.

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.

“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.”

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

See all Jimmy’s booked events 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 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.

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!

 

Christmas card features Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant 150 150 mhamer

Christmas card features Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant

Strictly Come Dancing is the theme of Jimmy Cricket's 2023 Christmas card.Popular reality TV show Strictly Come Dancing is the theme of Jimmy Cricket’s 2023 Christmas card.

Jimmy is superimposed next to one of the BBC programme’s contestants, TV presenter Angela Rippon.

On the card, Angela appears to be lifting the comedian’s right leg high off the ground.

Jimmy jokes: “Aww she’s pulling my leg folks!”

Strictly Come Dancing is a dance contest show in which celebrities partner professional dancers to compete in mainly ballroom and Latin dance.

A panel of judges hands out scores to each couple, while the general public also have a vote.

The semi-finals of this year’s competition take place at the weekend.

Jimmy’s Christmas cards usually have a topical theme to them.

His 2022 card focused on the fact that the UK had three prime ministers last year.

And the 2020 one featured Dominic Cummings’ controversial trip to Barnard Castle during the first coronavirus lockdown.

It showed Jimmy dressed as Father Christmas telling Cummings: “They are the strongest glass we make in Lapland, Dominic!”

Naughty list

Jimmy also chose a political theme for his 2019 Christmas card – the way Westminster MPs behaved over Brexit.

It showed him telling her majesty the Queen that all members of parliament are on the naughty list.

(Tradition has it that Father Christmas – also known as Santa Claus – has two lists: the naughty list and the nice list.

He checks over his list twice. If you are nice you get presents. If you are naughty you get a lump of coal in your stocking.)

Former PM Johnson reportedly apologised to the Queen after the Supreme Court ruled his decision to prorogue (suspend) Parliament earlier that year was unlawful.

Read the full story: Christmas card features naughty MPs and the Queen

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy has traditionally created his own customised Christmas card over the years.

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features the Only Fools and Horses’ sketch staring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, plus special Comic Relief guest David BeckhamIn 2012, he picked a picture of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, which was one of the iconic images from the London Olympics.

The followed year, it was a photo associated with the theft of his concrete wellies, which was widely covered in the media.

And his 2014 card (above) featured a sketch which took place during that year’s Comic Relief event.

The card recalled the Only Fools and Horses charity scene starring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

In addition, it featured former England and Manchester United footballer David Beckham.

Famous entertainer Jimmy was included on the card as if part of the get-together and referenced his famous Mammy!

Also read from this website: Christmas card 2022 – which PM now lives at No 10?!

 

 

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

Eighth season at Blackpool’s Lyndene comes to a close

Jimmy Cricket signs off his eighth season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool on Wednesday 6 December.Jimmy Cricket signs off his eighth season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool tomorrow (Wednesday 6 December).

The Northern Irish funnyman is back at the popular venue in the famous North West seaside resort.

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.

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool“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