Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Sing along to Jimmy’s ‘Roll out the Vaccine’ song! 150 150 mhamer

Sing along to Jimmy’s ‘Roll out the Vaccine’ song!

Sing along to Jimmy's 'Roll out the Vaccine' song!We all love a good old sing-song to cheer us up, especially during the darkest days.

And Jimmy Cricket has come up with a perfect ditty to keep our spirits going during the latest lockdown.

The ever-popular Northern Irish comedian has adapted the words of an old war-time favourite, Roll out the Barrel.

He recorded his very own version on YouTube, called Roll out the Vaccine, which can be heard here.

It is in reference to the roll-out of the various vaccines designed to protect people against coronavirus.

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip received the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday.

The UK government says every adult in the country will get the offer of a coronavirus vaccine by autumn this year.

Roll out the Barrel was particularly popular worldwide during World War II.

According to Wikipedia, Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda composed the music in 1927.

It is also known as Beer Barrel Polka and The Barrel Polka.

Wikipedia said many others recorded and played the song.

They included The Andrews Sisters in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Bobby Vinton and Billie Holiday.

It added: “During World War II, versions in many other languages were created and the song was popular among soldiers, regardless of their allegiances.

“The authors of the English lyrics were Lew Brown and Wladimir Timm.”

So, folks, Jimmy and his wife May want us all to call up his vaccine version now and have a good old sing-along to it!

Also read: Regular Twitter jokes told on video during coronavirus lockdown

Regular Twitter jokes told on video during coronavirus pandemic

 

 

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy

Jimmy Cricket has continued to keep our spirits up during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

In the run-in to Christmas and over the festive period, Jimmy used social media to keep those topical jokes coming!

Here are some of his funny one-liners:

When the lockdown kicked in, I started walking two miles every day. Yesterday I arrived in Aberdeen.

I’ve just attended a lockdown marriage on Zoom…..The wedding cake had four tiers!

Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

It’s a shame you’re only allowed one bubble for each household. I was looking forward to having a bath on Christmas Day.

We had a very safe Christmas dinner this year. Even the turkey wore a mask.

One thing about this virus, it helps you re-evaluate your priorities. For instance we don’t have to keep up with the Jones’s, cause the Jones’s are in lockdown like the rest of us.

It’s hard to get away from this virus – I used to wake up to the birds singing… now I hear them sneezing!

Things are so quiet at airports these days that the security people are searching each other.

The only thing bothers me about comedy drive-in shows is that if you get a tough heckler he might just keep bumping his horn.

Century mark

With the help of Mrs Cricket, Jimmy produced 100 daily video messages during the coronavirus restrictions last spring and summer.

The famous Northern Irish comedian hit the century mark in July.

He had been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts each day as the world continued to fight coronavirus.

The UK government first announced on 23 March last year it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy had been posting the videos on social media with the message: “We can do this together!”

Also read: Regular Twitter jokes told on video during during coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

Also read: Over and out as Cricket team hit century of videos

Lots of laughter at Galloway’s first virtual Christmas party 150 150 mhamer

Lots of laughter at Galloway’s first virtual Christmas party

Lots of laughter at first virtual Christmas partyA society for blind and partially sighted people hailed its first Christmas party held online as a “major success”.

Comic Jimmy Cricket and his wife, whose stage name is May Marion, headlined the Galloway’s show which was broadcast via Zoom.

Galloway’s posted on social media: “Our first virtual Christmas party on Zoom was a huge success.

“There was lots of laughter, with @jimmy__cricket and his wife May Marion, and our Assistive Tech Co-ordinator wowed everyone with his amazing voice.

“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us to make it special.”

Jimmy and May did a 30-minute set during the online celebration on Friday 18 December.

More than 150 years

Andrew Coleman, assistive technology coordinator at Galloway’s, also performed some swinging Christmas songs as part of the festivities.

Guests could join using either their telephone, smart phone or tablet through the Zoom app.

The party is primarily aimed at blind and partially sighted people, their family members and the charity’s volunteers.

Galloway’s has supported people with sight loss in the North West of England for more than 150 years.

Find out more about Galloway’s

Also read: ‘I enjoyed that Cocker’ – the first time I met Bobby Ball

Christmas card features that eyesight trip by Dominic Cummings 150 150 mhamer

Christmas card features that eyesight trip by Dominic Cummings

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

Dominic Cummings’ controversial trip to Barnard Castle during the first coronavirus lockdown is the subject of Jimmy Cricket’s 2020 Christmas card.

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

Boris Johnson’s former chief aide Cummings admitted he drove to Barnard Castle with his wife and child at the end of his lockdown-busting trip to County Durham.

He insisted he made the journey to test his eyesight before making the long drive home to London.

He had made the 260-mile trip north in late spring at a time when he and his wife Mary were displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

It led to claims they were enjoying a day out rather than self-isolating.

Police later found Cummings may have breached the law during the trip to Barnard Castle, but said they would not fine or prosecute him.

Cummings refused to leave his role despite the national controversy it caused.

Political theme

He finally left No 10 in November after an internal power struggle.

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

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly apologised to the Queen after the Supreme Court ruled his decision to prorogue (suspend) Parliament earlier this 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 Beckham

It is based on a photograph that has represented in some way an event from the previous 12 months.

In 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 (pictured right) 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!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

 

 

Dame Barbara Windsor: Lovely ‘Babs’ lit up the stage 150 150 mhamer

Dame Barbara Windsor: Lovely ‘Babs’ lit up the stage

So sad about the passing of Barbara Windsor, the enclosed photo is a picture of the Aladdin cast, at the Theatre Royal Nottingham Babs was principal boy, and her vitality and energy light up the stage, she will be sadly missed by all her fellow pros and fans alike! R.I.P. lovely lady!The late Barbara Windsor lit up the stage with her “vitality and energy”, says Jimmy Cricket.

Comedian Jimmy performed alongside Dame Barbara in a production of Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham during the 1985-86 panto season.

The photo right is of the entire cast from Aladdin, with Jimmy at the front with Barbara.

Jimmy posted the photo on social media.

He said: “So sad about the passing of Barbara, the enclosed photo is a picture of the Aladdin cast, at the Theatre Royal Nottingham.

“Babs was principal boy, and her vitality and energy lit up the stage.

“She will be sadly missed by all her fellow pros and fans alike!

“R.I.P. lovely lady! ????”

Jimmy took the role of Wishee Washee in the Nottingham panto.

The Patton Brothers, Brian and Jimmy, played the Chinese Policemen, while Billy Dainty was Widow Twankey.

Actress Dame Barbara, who was best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, died on Thursday aged 83.

She passed away peacefully from Alzheimer’s, having been diagnosed six years ago.

Dame Barbara played landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.

Her last appearance in the soap was in 2016.

The same year she became a dame for her services to charity and entertainment.

Also read: Ice cream sketch with the Patton brothers

 

Galloway’s: Headlining sight loss charity’s Christmas party 150 150 mhamer

Galloway’s: Headlining sight loss charity’s Christmas party

Jimmy and May Cricket

Jimmy Cricket and his wife May Marion are headlining a Christmas party for sight charity Galloway’s – via Zoom. 

The entertainers will deliver a 30-minute set during the online celebration on Friday 18 December.

Andrew Coleman, assistive technology coordinator at Galloway’s, is performing some swinging Christmas songs as part of the festivities.

Tickets cost £10 and include a small festive food hamper, delivered before the event.

Guests can join using either their telephone, smart phone or tablet through the Zoom app.

To take part in the fun, which begins at 7pm, call the charity on 01772 744148 or visit https://www.galloways.org.uk/events-1/christmas-party before Monday December 7.

The party is primarily aimed at blind and partially sighted people, their family members and the charity’s volunteers.

Galloway’s has supported people with sight loss in the North West of England for more than 150 years.

Find out more about Galloway’s

Also read: ‘I enjoyed that Cocker’ – the first time I met Bobby Ball

‘I enjoyed that Cocker!’ The first time I met Bobby Ball 150 150 mhamer

‘I enjoyed that Cocker!’ The first time I met Bobby Ball

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Post column about the late Bobby Ball

Jimmy Cricket remembers the late, great Bobby Ball in his newspaper column for November.

Bobby, one half of the famous comedy double act Cannon and Ball, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in October aged 76.

The Oldham-born actor and comedian had tested positive for Covid-19.

Bobby had also starred in several popular sitcoms.

They included Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

In his latest column in the Lancashire Post, Jimmy recalls his first meeting with Bobby and Tommy.

He says: “I first met Bobby Ball at the Candlelight Club in Oldham.

“I had just come off stage and my friend, the singer Jonathan Young, told me that he and his partner Tommy were standing at the bar.

“And they seemed to be enjoying my act.

“Although at that time they had not broken into television, they were a very popular act in the clubs around the country.

‘Brothers in showbusiness’

“I was keen to meet up with them, so I changed quickly and headed for the bar.

“Tommy at the time was engrossed in a conversation with someone, but Bobby Ball shook my hand warmly.

“He said to me: ‘I enjoyed that Cocker, they were a tough crowd, but you got them in the end.

“‘I loved the visual stuff that you did.'”

Jimmy also recalled: “When I found out later Bobby was a neighbour of mine in Rochdale, I rang to tell him that I had written a sketch for him and Tommy in which they played two First Aid Men.

“He invited me to his home where I met his lovely wife Yvonne.

“During our conversation he told me something that really resonated with me.

“He said to me: ‘Jimmy as you develop your on-stage character you’ll die less and less.’

”It was an incredibly insightful thing to say and I treasured the fact that he’d passed his keen knowledge of comedy on to a fellow pro.”

Jimmy finishes his column by saying: “A few months ago before it was offered funding, I tweeted about the Grand Theatre in Blackpool’s future being in doubt.

“Bobby retweeted the message.

“We were brothers in showbusiness trying to save a beautiful theatre for future generations.

“He will be sadly missed by all his friends in the entertainment industry as well as his many fans.”

Also read: Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him

‘Wonderful news’ about Blackpool’s Grand Theatre!