Jimmy Cricket

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Another Redcoats reunion for Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Another Redcoats reunion for Jimmy

Jimmy with some other former Butlins Redcoats

Jimmy Cricket had his latest Butlins Redcoat reunion when he was appearing at a Pontins holiday village earlier this summer.

Jimmy Cricket with Paul Ogden, another former Butlins Redcoat

The well-known comedian worked as a Redcoat at the Butlins sites in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, and Mosney near Dublin in Ireland during the late 1960s before becoming a household name on television.

He has met up with some of his old colleagues during the decades since then and this was actually the second time he had encountered this particular group of fellow former Redcoats – he also bumped into them the last time he was at Sand Bay Holiday Park in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, a couple of years ago!

The photos are courtesy of Paul Ogden, with whom Jimmy can be seen right.

Above, Jimmy has actually managed to borrow a red coat from one of the group and is pictured alongside them all sharing some comedy banter.

Redcoat is the name given to front-line staff at Butlins holiday camps in the UK. A Redcoat has duties ranging from adult entertainer or children’s entertainer to stewarding. Read more about them here.

Ode to the stolen wellingtons 150 150 mhamer

Ode to the stolen wellingtons

Ken Dodd signed the new concrete wellies for fellow comedian Jimmy Cricket

Ken Dodd has signed the new wellingtons for fellow comedian Jimmy

The story of Jimmy Cricket’s stolen concrete wellingtons – and their replacements – has again been the subject of attention in the media.

The Rochdale Observer, the newspaper in the famous entertainer’s hometown, is the latest publication to feature an article on the saga.

Ken Dodd signed the new concrete wellies for fellow comedian Jimmy Cricket

The first set of wellies were taken from Jimmy’s garden last April, a theft which left him “devastated” and caused quite a stir in the national press.

His friend and fellow funnyman Ken Dodd has bought another pair, having given Jimmy the original ones for his 50th birthday.

Jimmy is famous for wearing green wellington boots, marked with the letters R and L on the wrong feet, during his acts.

Ken recently appeared at The Spa Bridlington, where he signed the new wellies, and they will be presented to Jimmy when he performs at the same venue on Sunday, 24 August.

The Observer reports that the replacements were bought on eBay, the online auction website, for £22 and that Jimmy has written a poem about the whole episode.

Book tickets for Jimmy’s show in Bridlington here.

The Rochdale Observer article on the stolen wellies

‘Thrilled’ to help a special group of people 150 150 mhamer

‘Thrilled’ to help a special group of people

Jimmy Cricket with two local carers, the acting chief executive of Rochdale council – Linda Fisher - and councillor Billy Shearin

Jimmy Cricket popped in to see a special group of people in the town where he has lived for more than 40 years.

The famous entertainer was invited to an event during Carers week 2014 at the new council office block called Number One Riverside in Rochdale.

Jimmy was asked to attend by his good friend Pauline Fardon, who, along with her husband, are carers and both participate in the local carers choir.

“It was an enjoyable experience. I was thrilled to lend a hand in continuing to maintain an awareness of the wonderful work that this group of individuals do for their loved ones,” said Jimmy.

Pictured with Jimmy are two local carers, the acting chief executive of Rochdale council – Linda Fisher – and councillor Billy Shearin, who was present as the assistant portfolio holder for adult social care.

New concrete wellies arrive – in Bridlington! 150 150 mhamer

New concrete wellies arrive – in Bridlington!

Jimmy Cricket's concrete wellingtons for Ken Dodd

Jimmy Cricket has finally got his hands on a set of concrete wellingtons which will replace the pair stolen last summer – but he won’t be taking them home just yet.

His friend and fellow funnyman Ken Dodd has bought the replacements, having given Jimmy the original wellies for his 50th birthday .

The first set were taken from Jimmy’s garden last April, a theft which left him “devastated” and caused quite a stir in the national media.

Jimmy is famous for wearing green wellington boots, marked with the letters R and L on the wrong feet, during his acts.

The Northern Irish entertainer is pictured above in the foyer of The Spa Theatre in Bridlington with the package containing the replacement concrete wellies after they were delivered there.

Ken recently appeared at The Spa Bridlington, where he signed the new wellies, and they will be presented to Jimmy when he performs at the same venue on Sunday, 24 August.

So the saga is finally set for a happy ending… well almost, as Jimmy still lives in hope that the original pair will be returned one day!

Show packed to the rafters! Photo slideshow 150 150 mhamer

Show packed to the rafters! Photo slideshow

Jimmy Cricket with "colleague" in action at the Darwen Library Theatre

A collection of photographs from Jimmy Cricket’s show at Darwen Library Theatre earlier this summer has been published on Facebook.

Vivien Nan Coyle posted the images of the well-known Northern Irish entertainer’s visit to the Lancashire venue at the start of June.

Jimmy was appearing in an afternoon show, which turned out to be a tremendous occasion as the theatre was packed to the rafters!

Vivien is pictured with Jimmy in the first photo of the slideshow below and he can also be seen in two images with Winnie Geddes.

The majority of the remaining pictures are of Jimmy in action and also with the show’s host, Glen South.

Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed performing at Darwen and was thrilled that Vivien was able to post this photo montage on her Facebook page.”

Selfies, Ken Dodd and new concrete wellies 150 150 mhamer

Selfies, Ken Dodd and new concrete wellies

Jimmy Cricket talks about selfies*, his stolen concrete wellingtons and good friend Ken Dodd in a newspaper article ahead of a show in Bolton later this week.

The famous funnyman is appearing in Legend at the Comedy Club at Henighans on Bury Road, Breightmet, with MC Lee Tommo and two support comedians on Friday (25 July).

The article was written by the Bolton Evening News newspaper's entertainment reporter Melanie Wallwork

He told the Bolton Evening New’s entertainment reporter Melanie Wallwork: “I can’t understand these selfies on the mobile you take.

“I took a selfie but one of my arms was missing from the picture!”

The article also says: “Next month, he will be reunited with old pal and legendary comic, Ken Dodd, at a gig in Bridlington, as well as a replacement pair of concrete wellington boots.

“He said: ‘I had a pair of concrete wellies that Ken Dodd gave me for my 50th birthday.

‘Last April, they vanished from my front garden, they were nicked.

‘It was quite devastating for me.’

“The entertainer is famous for wearing wellington boots, marked with the letters R and L on the wrong feet, during his acts.

“He said Mrs Cricket tracked down a new pair of wellies, for £20 off eBay, which Ken will sign and present to Jimmy to replace the stolen pair which were of great sentimental value to the comic.

“Speaking of Ken, Jimmy said: ‘His enthusiasm is contagious. What a career. He is quite unique.'”

Tickets for Friday’s show cost £10, call 01204 435 428. Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.

 * For those not familiar with a selfie, it is a self-portrait photograph, usually taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone.

A retired fireman and The Original Wag 150 150 mhamer

A retired fireman and The Original Wag

The Original Wag by Graham AshworthJimmy Cricket is mentioned in the foreword of a new book by a Rochdale-born novelist.

The famous entertainer was presented with his own personal copy of The Original Wag by author Graham Ashworth. Jimmy features in the book and his contribution is also acknowledged.

Graham was a firefighter with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service before retiring in 2009. His first novel was Man O’ The World, which was released in 2013 and The Original Wag is his second.

Amazon, the popular retail website, says: “Both books mirror extraordinary life through the medium of fictional biographies. Nostalgia, humour and a gritty way of life feature prominently to create a welcome journey down Memory Lane.”

Graham now lives in Rossendale, Lancashire, with his wife Dawn. He is currently working on a third novel, the details of which will be revealed shortly, and is a regular contributor to Rossendale’s Life magazine.

Belfast-born Jimmy, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, said: “I wish Graham the very best with this book as it has an interesting theme and I hope many people get to read it!”