Jimmy Cricket

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‘Special medal is fitting recognition’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Special medal is fitting recognition’

A good friend of well-known entertainer Jimmy Cricket has been honoured for distinguished service to the Roman Catholic Church and its community.

Jim Nicholas, a DJ and comedian, was featured in the Manchester Evening News for all his fundraising exploits for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

Jim Nicholas was featured in the Manchester Evening News for all his fund-raising work for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester

Jim Nicholas was featured in the Manchester Evening News for all his fundraising work for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester

He has been awarded the Papal Medal, which is also known as the Benemerenti.

The medal was presented to him by the Rt Rev Terence Brain, the Bishop of Salford.

Jimmy was at the ceremony and is quoted in the article, right, saying: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this magnificent award than Jim.

“He has worked tirelessly for Francis House over the years, raising a phenomenal amount of money for this cause.

“It’s been a real pleasure to have known him and to have shared the platform with him at various charity concerts.

“This special medal is fitting recognition for his marvellous contribution to the parishes and communities where he’s lived and helped support.”

* Read about the latest fundraising event for Francis House Children’s Hospice involving Jimmy and Jim.

Slideshow tribute to ‘comedian’s comedian’ 150 150 mhamer

Slideshow tribute to ‘comedian’s comedian’
Johnny Casson enjoys his own memories of Norman Collier

Johnnie Casson enjoys his own memories of Norman Collier. Pictures courtesy of OlsenParker photography

Jimmy Cricket was among several top entertainers who paid their last respects to legendary comedian Norman Collier in a special tribute show.

The event, called An evening of Comedy and Laughter, took place at the New Theatre in Hull in September.

It included Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy plus fellow stars Tom O’ Connor, Syd Little (of Little and Large), ventriloquist Roger De Courcey (plus Nookie Bear), Johnnie Casson and Robin Grumbleweed.

Norman, who died in March this year aged 87, was born and bred in Hull and for most of his life lived in the nearby town of Brough.

He achieved popularity following television appearances in the 1970s and was best known for his ‘faulty microphone’ routine and his chicken impressions.

Norman was highly regarded by many fellow comics, including Frank Carson and Les Dawson, and was described by Jimmy Tarbuck as ‘the comedian’s comedian’.

Read more about Norman here.

The show was hosted by Norman’s son-in-law, John Ainsley, who was also the main organiser of the event.

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Norman Collier

Jimmy pays tribute

Jimmy Cricket said: “Suffice to say the theatre was packed to the rafters and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“A sizeable amount of money was raised which will be given to Norman’s widow, Lucy.”

Enjoy some nostalgia and watch Jimmy and Norman performing a chicken sketch together.

All pictures in the slideshow below are courtesy of OlsenParker photography which is based in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

‘Elvis’ helps raise money for hospice 150 150 mhamer

‘Elvis’ helps raise money for hospice

DJ Jim Nicholas does a good Elvis Presley impressionA DJ who does a good Elvis Presley impersonation joined Jimmy Cricket for another fundraising event for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

Famous funnyman Jimmy performs at several such shows each year which are organised by his friend, the DJ Jim Nicholas, and the most recent was at the end of September and hosted by St Oswald’s Social Club in Warrington.

May Marion, Jimmy Cricket's wife who is a female vocalistThe Northern Irish-born entertainer was joined on stage by his wife, female vocalist May Marion (left), and the event was compered by DJ Jim (of Cliff’s Disco), who also does a good turn as Elvis (above right)!

The show was a very touching occasion as it was organised by a family who use the Hospice on a regular basis and wanted to give back some of the support they have received over the years.Jimmy Cricket

They promoted the event, selling the majority of the tickets, and it was a big success resulting in a considerable amount of money being raised for this great cause.

Jimmy, seen on the right in action at the fundraising event  wearing his famous wellies, is also pictured below with photographer Ricky Sandtide Matthews who took all the pictures on this page.

Jimmy Cricket with photographer Ricky Sandtide Matthews

Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work we go 150 150 mhamer

Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work we go
Cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

Some cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham. Photo credit: Northern Echo

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with some of his fellow cast members at a press launch for the forthcoming festive season pantomime he is headlining.

The Northern Irish entertainer will play the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, at the Forum Theatre in Billingham near Middlesbrough from 7 December to 5 January.

Alongside Jimmy in the picture above are a couple of the cast who will be playing two of the dwarves, plus Craig Ansell (who will be Sarah the Cook), local girl Victoria Holtom (Snow White), and Emmerdale‘s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who will feature in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

On most days, there is planned a 2.30 afternoon matinee and an early evening show starting at around 6pm, but check with the theatre by phone or on its website (details below) as times vary on different days.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Jimmy Cricket and Victoria Holtom (Snow White)

Jimmy Cricket and Victoria Holtom (who plays Snow White).  Photograph credit: Northern Echo

‘Your radio show is global, so it is’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Your radio show is global, so it is’

Jimmy and SimonJimmy Cricket had a humorous exchange on the social media website Twitter with a showbiz colleague following a chat with his window cleaner.

Rochdale-based and Belfast-born funnyman Jimmy was talking to Simon Leach, whose business is called G Butterworth windows and who is interested in comedy.

Simon told Jimmy he often listens on his travels to different radio broadcasts and one comedian he listens to is William Caulfield whose radio show, It’s William Caulfield, So It Is, is broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster.

Jimmy said: “I am friends with William and have worked with him on a couple of occasions over the course of the past year, so I thought I would send a picture of me and Simon over to William via Twitter to prove his radio show has an international audience!”

The brief Twitter discussion went as follows:

‏@jimmy__cricket: @wecaulfield Just bumped into Simon who lives in Lancashire and who listens to your radio show over here as a podcast pic.twitter.com/x9pF3MobKS

William replied:‏ @jimmy__cricket I’m going to (go) world wide yet!

Here comes the bride… 150 150 mhamer

Here comes the bride…

The happy couple doing the first dance played to music from the two DavidsRochdale-based Jimmy Cricket crossed the Pennines to attend his niece’s wedding reception at the end of August.

Lindsay and Chris actually got married at Lake Garda in Italy, but on their return to Leeds they wanted to have a celebration for all their family and friends who could not make the ceremony.

The evening’s entertainment at Morley Rugby Club was provided by Lindsay’s brother and Northern Irish-born Jimmy’s nephew, David, who sang and played the keyboard alongside David Tattersall, a singer and guitarist.

They created delightful harmonies and the repertoire they chose for the occasion was a fine array of modern and classic pop songs.

The happy couple thanked everyone for their attendance, with a special mention to both their mums who, over the course of the night, looked after their one-year-old daughter, Brooke.

Above, the happy couple have the first dance of the evening to music performed by the two Davids and, below, Jimmy with wife May and the newly weds.

Jimmy Cricket with wife May and the newly wed couple

Laughter, music and £2,500 for charity 150 150 mhamer

Laughter, music and £2,500 for charity

Jimmy Cricket with fellow artists and some staff and volunteers from the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland

The principal organiser of a charity show headlined by Jimmy Cricket could not watch the production after falling ill just days before it took place.

Jimmy Walker had booked the entertainer to be the lead act in the fund-raising event on 12 September at the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine in Northern Ireland.

The charity concert was in aid of the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHFNI).

Jimmy Cricket and Jimmy Walker

The two Jimmys

But organiser Jimmy, who lives in nearby Ballymoney, was taken ill the weekend before the show, but as the concert venue was only around the corner from the hospital, his famous namesake was able to pop over to see him personally.

Alongside Belfast-born and Rochdale-based comedian Jimmy in the production was Ulster country singer Curtis Magee and the performer Gary Wilson.

Gary was doubling up for this event as he is also the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland’s fund-raising volunteer manager!

A total of £2,500 was raised for the charity from the show.

Top: Jimmy Cricket with fellow artists and some staff and volunteers from the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland. Stood next to Jimmy is Jimmy Walker’s wife, Helen, who was also instrumental in organising the show.

Below, Jimmy is pictured with Curtis and below right, with Gary.

Jimmy Cricket with Curtis MageeJimmy Cricket with Gary Wilson