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and there’s more

Back in Stockport with Sunday afternoon show 150 150 mhamer

Back in Stockport with Sunday afternoon show

Jimmy CricketEver-popular comedian Jimmy Cricket returns to Stockport’s Plaza Theatre later this month with a show designed for all the family – it starts just after Sunday lunch!

Veteran entertainer Jimmy will bring his Value for a Tenner show to the Greater Manchester town on 25 January with the performance due to start at 3pm.

All adults tickets are just £10, with under 16s priced at £5 (as long as they are accompanied by an adult).

Jimmy said: “I always enjoy visiting the beautiful Plaza Theatre in Stockport – it is without doubt one of the most stunning and atmospheric auditoriums in the country.

“I hope for my visit this time that 3pm on a Sunday afternoon will allow for the shopping to be completed the day before and for the family to all come after their lunchtime get-together. This will mean a chance to laugh off the calories for what will be a lot less than your typical family trip to the cinema.

“After all, there is no better experience than live theatre, so come along and support your local one in Stockport.”

This is a special year for Jimmy as in October he will turn 70 and plans to celebrate the big occasion include a charity fun run near to where he lives in his adopted hometown of Rochdale.

And there’s more… 150 150 mhamer

And there’s more…

Jimmy Cricket with William McLean Kerr, who was the designer of the title sequence for the first series of And There's More

Jimmy Cricket was reminded of an old television colleague via this photograph posted on Facebook, the social media website.

It was taken during filming for comedian Jimmy’s TV series called And There’s More that was broadcast on ITV during the mid-1980s.

In the photo with the famous entertainer is William McLean Kerr, who was the designer of the title sequence for the first series. It was he who sent Jimmy this photo through Facebook.

William stopped working in television not long after the picture was taken. He decided to go and paint for a living, and now has a studio in Troon, Scotland. William paints oil paintings, landscapes, seascapes, fine art prints and drawings.

Jimmy said: “I was thrilled William got in contact after all these years and the photo was certainly a nice piece of nostalgia for me.”

Tribute to a friend and a legend 150 150 mhamer

Tribute to a friend and a legend

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Eddie Braben in the Rochdale ObserverJimmy Cricket has paid tribute to legendary comedy writer Eddie Braben who has died aged 82.

Edwin ‘Eddie’ Charles Braben was an English writer and performer best known for providing material for Morecambe and Wise. He also worked for David Frost, Ronnie Corbett and Ken Dodd.

He was credited with changing the profile of Morecambe and Wise, helping to turn them into one of the most popular and enduring comedy acts in the history of British entertainment.

Belfast-born entertainer Jimmy, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, started working with Eddie on his TV show, And There’s More, in the 1980s and 90s, and then his radio show, Jimmy’s Cricket Show.

They developed a lasting friendship and Jimmy recalled: “He was so funny, even in his hospital bed, and had this incredible surreal sense of humour.

“Eddie was a wonderful radio writer, as it was more relaxing for him rather than having to do the Christmas specials for 28 million people.”

A full tribute from Jimmy appeared in the Rochdale Observer (above is a copy of the article).

‘Clean fun – that’s Cricket’s pitch’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Clean fun – that’s Cricket’s pitch’

 

The feature in the TV Times was written to advertise and promote Jimmy Cricket’s series And There’s More on Central Television

The TV Times feature was written to promote Jimmy Cricket’s series, And There’s More, which was broadcast on ITV

This magazine feature provides a nostalgic glimpse into Jimmy Cricket’s past.

Jimmy Cricket in the TV TimesOne of Jimmy’s ‘Friends’ on Facebook called Tom Stamp posted the attached picture of an article – entitled Clean fun – that’s Cricket’s pitch – which was published in the TV Times in the 1980s.

It was written to advertise and promote Jimmy’s series, And There’s More, which was produced by Central Television and broadcast on ITV between 1985 and 1989.

Jimmy says: “This is a real bit of nostalgia for me – where have all the years gone?!”

Motorbike made out of balloons 150 150 mhamer

Motorbike made out of balloons
Jimmy with Fred and Connie alongside an amazing motorbike made especially for this celebration out of modelling balloons!

Jimmy Cricket with Fred and Connie Van Buren – and that amazing motorbike made of modelling balloons

A motorbike made out of modelling balloons was one of the highlights when comedian Jimmy Cricket helped to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of his friends.

Jimmy Cricket with Connie, Fred's wife

Jimmy Cricket with Connie, Fred’s wife

Magician Fred Van Buren’s party was held in the village of Silverdale in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Fred is now retired but his son, Andy, who has inherited the family penchant for magic, is following in his dad’s footsteps and is one of a few performers still skilled in the art of plate spinning.

Andy has been described as “one of the biggest names in British illusionists for many a decade”.

A multi-talented & skilled performer, he is one of the most experienced performers within the speciality act, shows & entertainment showbusiness today. He a gold star performing member of the Inner Magic Circle and a member of the prestigious showbusiness organisation, the Grand Order of Water Rats.

Fred and Connie get ready to cut the birthday cake

Fred cuts the cake

Jimmy has worked with Andy on many occasions – including in a pantomime at the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield – and the friendship has even involved Fred and Andy storing some of Jimmy’s props in their crammed warehouse which is full of tricks and props – including Jimmy’s gigantic Mexican hats!

This is because Jimmy tried to recreate for a stage show one of the sketches from his TV series called And There’s More on YouTube. This sketch involved large Mexican hats, but Jimmy did not have room for them, so  the Van Burens stepped in to help out and house them for him.

Jimmy says a big thank-you to magician Geoff Rushworth and Andrew Sherratt for supplying these superb photographs of a truly tremendous occasion!

Bike made out of balloons

Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday
Jimmy, his wife May (right) and good friend Patti

Jimmy, his wife May (right) and good friend Patti

Jimmy Cricket recently attended the 60th birthday of a good friend of his, the former singer Patti Gold.

The bash was hosted at Patti’s local golf club in Wakefield called Higher Lane Golf Club.

Patti and Jimmy go back a long way and although Patti has now left the business, her husband is still heavily involved and is an excellent musical director called Stuart Gold, who used to be the main musical director at the legendary Batley Variety Club and has worked with some of the most famous singers and entertainers in the country.

Patti actually featured in Jimmy’s first television series on ITV of “And There’s More” way back in the mid 1980s as one of the supporting cast members. Alongside Patti was impressionist Rory Bremner. This was Rory’s first break on television before he launched himself on a bigger platform.

Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed myself at Patti’s party and am thrilled I have been able to keep in touch with her for all these years.

“Although Patti left the business a number of years ago to work in IT, interestingly enough she has recently taken a job working in a dance and drama school, so she is re-introducing herself slowly back into the world of arts and entertainment!”