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Why my This is Your Life moment almost never happened 150 150 mhamer

Why my This is Your Life moment almost never happened

Jimmy Cricket was once the star of TV's This Is Your Life - but it nearly never happened.

Jimmy Cricket was once the star of TV’s This Is Your Life – but it nearly never happened.

In the popular primetime programme, the host would pop in unexpectedly on a special guest.

The celebrity would then be transported to a television studio and be taken through their life with the assistance of the ‘big red book’ and the help of friends and family.

This Is Your Life was originally broadcast live and alternated between on the BBC and  on ITV over the years.

It was on 29 September 1987 when famous funnyman Jimmy was surprised by presenter Eamonn Andrews on a central London building site.

Jimmy has been recalling the whole experience, which included an amazing coincidence, in his latest Saturday column in the Lancashire Evening Post.

“It happened in the late 1980s but I can still remember it to this day… I’d just come up from the underground and as I stepped out into one of London’s busiest thoroughfares, Oxford Circus, who should I see in front of my eyes but my sister-in-law Evelyn strolling along with her husband Barry by her side.

What made it even more surprising was that Evelyn had emigrated to Australia 15 years before.

Bigger surprise

We exchanged a few pleasantries and Evelyn then mentioned that she’d be up to see her sister May in Rochdale in the coming days.

The object of my visit to London was to promote a book I’d just written called Letters From My Mammy.

So the next morning my agent/manager Phyllis Rounce and I were driven to a building site where the publishers had arranged for me to have some publicity shots taken.

Little did I know that another even bigger surprise was in store for me.

As our car approached this building site, whom should I see but Evelyn again, and beside her a man wearing a black and white donkey jacket, with a yellow tin hat on his head, carrying a big red book under his arm.

And as we drew closer, it became clear that the man was none other than a famous television personality of that era called Eamonn Andrews.

As I stepped out of the car, he greeted me with his soft Irish dulcet tones: “Last night you saw your sister-in-Law Evelyn in the street in London, but tonight Jimmy Cricket, This is your life.

Melodious singing

It had all started many years before, in the summer of 1972, when in my mid-20s, I got job as a Pontin Bluecoat at their holiday camp in Middleton Towers near Morecambe.

Three young sisters – May, Margaret and Evelyn – also worked there as waitresses, and, as they too came from Belfast, I struck up an instant rapport with them.

After they’d finished their dining room duties, May and Margaret would get up in the Sundowner Bar and, under the name The Tweedie Sisters, regale the holidaymakers with their melodious singing.

I was bowled over by the reception the girls got and as I harboured a burning desire to be a full-time comic myself, I hatched a plan that when the season finished at the camp, we would all head off to seek our fame and fortune.

As Manchester was the nearest area with a thriving club scene, we decided to try our luck there.

Evelyn, the eldest sister, was crucial to the project because she was the only one of us who could actually drive.

Recklessness of youth!

I remember one particular night when we were all coming back from a gig and our clapped-out banger broke down.

Two policemen got out of their patrol car to help us, when they saw us pushing it.

When we eventually did get it to go and they waved us off, we all gave a mighty sigh of relief… little did our boys in blue realise that our vehicle was neither taxed nor insured.

Oh the recklessness of youth! It was around this time that Evelyn decided to emigrate to Oz.

Back to This Is Your Life… because of the surprise meet-up in Oxford Circus the night before, the programme itself was very nearly cancelled.

What saved the day was the fact that May had been told her sister wouldn’t be able to come over from Australia.

So, just before the end of the show when Eamonn enquired about Evelyn, I was able to turn the tables and tell her the good news.

Then on came Evelyn for an emotional reunion with her sisters.

Affinity

The only sad bit was that Eamonn himself passed away peacefully in hospital a few weeks later.

It was said he actually watched the show shortly before his death and I have felt an affinity with him ever since.

The programme can be seen on my website – see link below.

The site also contains a fuller version of these events in my autobiography Memoirs of an Irish Comedian.”

The paperback version of Jimmy’s autobiography costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon.

It is also available via eBook and audio formats.

Signed copies (£13.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also on sale at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10 where he will sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!

Watch: Jimmy Cricket on TV’s This Is Your Life

 

What made the late BBC Radio DJ Steve Wright so special… 150 150 mhamer

What made the late BBC Radio DJ Steve Wright so special…

Jimmy Cricket's newspaper column about the late BBC Radio 1 and 2 DJ Steve Wright appeared in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket has revealed he was a big fan of famous radio DJ Steve Wright who died earlier this year.

For decades the voice of the BBC on afternoon radio, Steve passed away aged 69 in February.

He had joined the national broadcaster at the beginning of the 1980s and went on to host popular shows on both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.

In a statement, his family referred to the “millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing Steve into their daily lives as one of the UK’s most enduring and popular radio personalities”.

Jimmy’s latest monthly newspaper column in the Lancashire Evening Post is devoted to the late DJ.

‘An instant fan’

He says: “When I first got a break on the tele in the early eighties, a friend told me that there was this young DJ on the radio doing an impression of me who was called Steve Wright.

“Obviously, this did my ego a power of good, so I made it my business to tune in to this new ‘jock’.

“I became an instant fan! Steve just had that special something that drew you closer to the radio when he was in full flight.

“He made even reading out the weather report sound interesting.

“Twenty-five years later, I was sitting in the BBC London studios being interviewed by him for his big show that was aired on weekday afternoons.

“I was accompanied by Cannon and Ball. We were there to promote a show we were touring with called The Best of British Variety.

Rory Bremner

“It was great fun as we all bounced ad libs between us, ending with Steve reeling out the theatres around the country where we were strutting our stuff.”

Adds Jimmy: “My other link to Steve’s show came via the impressionist Rory Bremner.

“Rory and I did a TV series for Central television in the mid-eighties and we both got this booking to entertain on a cruise around the Greek Islands. (I know it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it!).

“The problem was I turned up at Athens airport without my passport.

“I can still see it now – half a dozen security men gathered round looking at a publicity photo of a guy in a funny hat and wellingtons at 3 o’clock in the morning, all babbling in Greek, half of them giggling and the other half scratching their heads.

“When Rory went on Steve’s show, he relayed the story as only he could, complete with impressions of the Greek officials.

‘Moving and emotional’

“Steve laughed so much he asked Rory to repeat it the next time he came on his show.”

The column continues: “Of course, no article about Steve Wright would be complete without mention of his other BBC Radio 2 show – Sunday Love Songs.

“Here, he gave shoutouts to couples getting engaged and married (as well as people’s anniversaries), while playing some of the most iconic and romantic songs ever written.

“Some lucky couples even got champagne and chocolate.

“This was one of the most moving and emotional programmes on national radio. It drew huge numbers of listeners every Sunday morning.”

Jimmy concludes: “You know, there’s an intimacy about listening on the radio to your favourite presenter.

“Without the visual distraction of television, you feel he’s just talking to you alone.

“Perhaps that’s what made Steve so special.

“Even though he was talking to the nation, you got the feeling he was just talking to you.”

Wyn Calvin & Tony Jo: Jimmy remembers old friends 150 150 mhamer

Wyn Calvin & Tony Jo: Jimmy remembers old friends

I had the great pleasure of working with the, “Welsh Prince of Laughter”, in Panto back in 1983 @brumhippodrome sadly now no longer with us, the late Wyn Calvin, (here pictured far right in his role as Dame), R.I.P. old friend!

Jimmy Cricket has paid fond tributes to two fellow entertainers and friends who sadly passed away recently.

The Northern Irish comic recalled performing alongside the late Wyn Calvin in the 1980s.

Wyn’s death at the age of 96 was announced earlier this week.

“I had the great pleasure of working with the ‘Welsh Prince of Laughter’ in Panto back in 1983 @brumhippodrome,” said Jimmy. 

“Sadly now no longer with us, the late Wyn Calvin, (pictured far right in the above photo in his role as Dame).

“R.I.P. old friend!”

Wyn got into showbusiness after World War Two and went on to appear in more than 50 pantomimes, often as Widow Twankey.

He served with the forces’ Entertainments National Service Association and played to troops all across Europe.

Wyn, originally from Narberth in Pembrokeshire, was a founding member of Cardiff’s Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity.

Laurel and Hardy

He was known for his performances in concert halls and repertory theatres.

His career included successful runs on radio as Tommy Trotter, in a show called Welsh Rarebit on BBC Wales.

He also made music hall appearances and shared a stage with legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Read more about Wyn on the BBC website here

A bright light went out in Blackpool today with the passing of performer/manager/producer Tony Jo @hrhents Tony spread laughter and happiness everywhere he went, he will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in the world of Showbusiness! R.I.P. big guy you were the tops!

Jimmy has also paid tribute to Tony Jo, a former member of award-winning comedy band The Grumbleweeds.

Tony (pictured right with Jimmy) died on Sunday 23 January following an 18-month battle with cancer.

Jimmy said: “A bright light went out in Blackpool today with the passing of performer/manager/producer Tony Jo @hrhents.

“Tony spread laughter and happiness everywhere he went.

“He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in the world of Showbusiness!

“R.I.P. big guy you were the tops!”

Tony was a celebrated after-dinner comedian.

His work meant he rubbed shoulders with sporting legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Alan Ball.

Tony was a winner of the After Dinner Speaker of The Year Award three times.

In addition, he wrote for shows including You’ve Been Framed and Stars in Their Eyes.

Read more about Tony on the Blackpool Gazette website here.

Also from this website: Frankie Whittle: From Butlin’s to Blackpool’s Music Hall Tavern

Happy St Patrick’s Day folks! 150 150 mhamer

Happy St Patrick’s Day folks!

Belfast-born Jimmy Cricket has wished everybody a happy St Patrick's Day.

Belfast-born Jimmy Cricket has wished everybody a happy St Patrick’s Day!

The famous funnyman donned a green bow-tie and his trademark hat in a special celebratory poster (above).

It was posted on social media.

Millions of people around the world mark the day on 17 March every year.

It is a celebration of Irish history and culture.

And it is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, which is known as the Emerald Isle.

St Patrick’s Day: Everything you need to know (an article from the BBC website).

Watch: Happy St Patrick’s Day message from Jimmy (from 2020) – from this website

 

The day I ended up in court facing a hefty fine… 150 150 mhamer

The day I ended up in court facing a hefty fine…

True story! Going back decades here is this months @leponline column, here I'm sharing my humble beginnings in the world of showbusiness, which doesn't get much funnier than this! 

Jimmy Cricket was once summoned to court for not doing something he didn’t even know he had to do!

In the 1970s, before he was famous, the Northern Irishman fell foul of the TV licensing authorities.

He revealed his story in his Lancashire Post column.

Jimmy posted on social media: “Hi folks! True story!

“Going back decades here is this month’s @leponline column.

“Here I’m sharing my humble beginnings in the world of showbusiness, which doesn’t get much funnier than this! #savevariety”

His column said: “I’m going back a bit now – 1973. I was in my mid-20s and trying to eke out a living as a comedian in the Northern clubs.

“My girlfriend and soon-to-be-my-wife May and her sister Margaret did a sing­ing act under the name, The Tweedie Sisters.

“We both landed a week’s booking at the Norbreck Ho­tel in Blackpool. However, it didn’t quite turn out that way.

“Oh, the girls had a great week finishing their act to tumultuous applause every evening.

“I, however, didn’t make it past the Sunday. To be honest I was a bit rough round the edges, and when I didn’t get too many laughs on the opening night, the hotel manager fired me.

Disbelieving glance

“So while the girls trav­elled back and forth to Black­pool every night, (Margaret’s boyfriend Graham had a car), I sat alone in the flat we all shared in Stockport trying to figure out a new act.

“It was on the Tuesday night that the doorbell rang. I’d barely opened the door when a guy pushed past me.

“I followed behind him in hot pursuit calling out, ‘Hi, what is this?’ until he stopped with a jolt in the middle of the living room and, pointing to the corner, shout­ed: ‘Have you got a licence for that television?’

“I explained that my fian­cee had ordered it from a lo­cal shop a few weeks before.

“Then I naively enquired: ‘Doesn’t the rental cover the cost of the licence?’ He threw me a disbelieving glance, wrote something in his book and marched straight out the door.

“A summons duly arrived a few weeks later for me to appear in court, where I paid a hefty fine, not for some­thing I did but for something I didn’t know I had to do.

“Don’t get me wrong folks. I’m a big fan of the BBC. What’s not to like about it?

“They do the best period cos­tume dramas. They give us uninterrupted coverage of top sporting events and the best movies, and their news coverage is the envy of the world.

“Just like the National Health Service it’s a quintessential British institution and I couldn’t imagine life without it.

“I just hope they have nicer people driving their detector vans these days than the guy I got in Stockport.”

Also read: The first time I met Bobby Ball

The Lancashire Post website

Blackpool Big Night Out: Relive it on BBC’s iPlayer 150 150 mhamer

Blackpool Big Night Out: Relive it on BBC’s iPlayer

Blackpool Big Night Out in on BBC's iPlayer

Jimmy Cricket and a host of other top entertainers have featured in a special programme about Blackpool – and you can catch it on iPlayer.

The 74-year-old Northern Irish comedian has performed at the popular Lancashire seaside resort many times over the years.

In the BBC documentary, he talks fondly about his feelings for the coastal town.

Blackpool is described as the beating heart of British entertainment.

The Lancashire coastal town launched the careers of Morecambe and Wise, attracted stars as big as Frank Sinatra and is still the spiritual home of the likes of the late Sir Ken Dodd, Cannon and Ball and many more.

Jimmy Cricket is among those interviewed on Blackpool Big Night Out

Jimmy tweeted: “Hi folks, here is a link to the BBC’s nostalgic look at this great seaside resort.”

He says on the programme about Blackpool: “I remember arriving and seeing the trams.

“There were people advertised on the trams, like Cilla Black and Val Doonican.

“And you think, you’ve arrived when you’ve got your name on a tram – this is incredible.

Blackpool Big Night Out on BBC's iPlayer“I remember once doing the south pier and actually saw my name on a tram.

“I thought ‘I must get on here!'”

The programme went out on BBC Two on Monday 27 April 2020 at 9.45pm.

You have just 11 days left (until 27 May) to watch on the BBC iPlayer.

Watch it here

Jimmy features about three quarters of the way through the hour-long programme.

Also read: From the archives – Norman Wisdom and Ernie Wise

Jimmy Cricket is seen performing on Blackpool Big Night Out

David Bell: ‘Legendary maestro of TV variety’ 150 150 mhamer

David Bell: ‘Legendary maestro of TV variety’

The late great David Bell whom my generation of fellow performers had the great pleasure of working with! David was gone too soon!

Jimmy Cricket has been delving into the archives again to fondly remember those with whom he has worked.

With the coronavirus pandemic meaning no shows for the foreseeable future, comic Jimmy has been looking through his old photographs.

And he found the picture above of the late David Bell, who was one of British television’s best light entertainment producers.

Award-winning David died aged 53 in June 1990 at his London home after being ill for several months.

The Scotsman worked for Scottish Television, the BBC and London Weekend Television (LWT) during a very successful career.

He worked with many big names in television, including Benny Hill, Bruce Forsyth, Dame Edna Everage and Elton John.

Hawick-born David was the man behind most of the ITV royal variety shows.

As controller of entertainment at London Weekend Television, he was in charge of many of ITV’s most popular series.
These included The Stanley Baxter Show.

Jimmy tweeted: “Going through archives, and here remembering the legendary maestro of Variety and sketch shows on Television…

“The late great David Bell whom my generation of fellow performers had the great pleasure of working with!

“David was gone too soon!”

Read how the Herald in Scotland reported on David’s death back in 1990

From this website – Golden memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana