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Remembering Eric Devereaux: ‘Mr Showman’ had ‘stellar career’ 150 150 mhamer

Remembering Eric Devereaux: ‘Mr Showman’ had ‘stellar career’

Remembering Eric Devereaux: 'Mr Showman' had a 'stellar career'

Eric Devereaux was a “superb all-round entertainer” and “will be missed by so many people”.

Jimmy Cricket has paid a fond tribute to his great friend Eric who has passed away.

Update since this article was written: Eric’s funeral will be held at Rochdale Crematorium on Monday 20 January at 3.20pm.

A show compere, singer and producer, Eric had a stellar career in the entertainment business.

He enjoyed notable stints during the cabaret heyday of the 60s and 70s at a host at iconic venues such as Cadishead Conservative Club.

Eric was good friends with Hughie Green, the legendary presenter of Opportunity Knocks.

He was also one of Sir Alex Fergurson favourite performers, to the point where Eric had become an annual fixture for Sir Alex’s birthday celebrations each year.

After moving to Norden in Rochdale many years ago, Eric helped Jimmy with his jam nights at a local parish centre.

Jimmy said: “This is how I will always remember my friend, ‘Eric the lovable Showman’.

“It is with profound sadness that I heard of the passing of Eric from his granddaughter Stacey.
“I first met Eric at the Irlam and Cadishead Royal British Legion club when he compèred and produced shows there.
“Although classified as a social club, it used to have a four-piece resident band and opened four nights a week.
‘Treat for sore eyes’
“It epitomised the thriving Manchester entertainment scene during the 60s and 70s and Eric was in his element there, booking the acts and performing himself.

“When the nearby cabaret club The Talk of the North would give big name artists like Bob Monkhouse and Vince Hill Monday night off, Eric would rush down and book them for his club.

“I was so lucky when he moved to Rochdale 20 years ago. We both used to take it in turns to put a monthly charity jam night at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Norden.
“He was a superb all-round entertainer and to see him perform King of the Swingers was a treat for sore eyes.
“However, to all his family and friends he will be known as Mr Showman because of his love of entertaining and organising entertainment.
Jimmy and Eric singing together
“It was a love that only slowed down when Parkinson’s Disease came into his life and then a few years later he lost his beloved wife Gloria.
“Even then when he first moved into a care home, he was still organising shows for his fellow residents.
“He was loved so much and will be missed by so many people, most of all by his family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them at this time.”
At the next jam night on Tuesday 12 March 2025 we will dedicate it to Eric’s memory.”

From the archives: Fergie favourite is latest Wellie winner

Return to special Shropshire venue after 11 years 150 150 mhamer

Return to special Shropshire venue after 11 years

Jimmy Cricket returns to a special community centre in Shropshire for the first time since 2012 at the weekend.Jimmy Cricket is returning to a special community venue in Shropshire for the first time since 2012.

The Northern Irish comedian is eagerly awaiting his latest visit to the Festival Drayton Centre on Saturday (16 September).

It is part of his 50 Golden Years in showbusiness tour.

The Festival Drayton Centre hosts dance classes, martial arts, adult educational courses, a licensed coffee shop and a state-of-the-art cinema and theatre.

It is owned and run by the local community.

Established in 1984, the centre underwent a major refurbishment in 2004.

It won the Best Regional Winner of the West Midlands Market Towns Award two years later.

Jimmy posted on social media: “It’s been 11 years, but I’m looking forward to my revisit this coming weekend, performing my last ‘50 Golden Years’ show of 2023 at the @festivaldrayton.

“If you live local, why not join in on the fun?!”

The centre’s website said: “Jimmy Cricket is one of the UK’s most-loved Irish comedians, having made four Series for Central Television in the mid 1980s and his own BBC Radio 2 Series in the 1990s, alongside numerous television appearances and Royal Variety Shows over the decades!”

The website also features a TV interview Jimmy did with the late comedian Bob Monkhouse (see below).

Jimmy told the website: “It’s great to be making a return visit, as it has warm memories for me doing my one-nighters there.”

His wife and singer May Marion is also performing on the night.

Book for the show here.

Read about Jimmy’s last visit to Festival Drayton here.

Sinatra tribute singer thrills audience 150 150 mhamer

Sinatra tribute singer thrills audience
Frank Sinatra tribute act Frank Forde compered the Manchester City FC Social Club in the 70s

Frank Sinatra tribute act Frank Forde compered the Manchester City FC Social Club

A Frank Sinatra tribute artiste and performer delighted the audience with his singing at Jimmy Cricket’s latest Golden Wellington Club night.

Manchester-born Frank Forde received a rapturous reception for his performance on another night of top music and comedy at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Norden, Rochdale.

Jimmy said: “Frank compered the Manchester City FC Social Club for many years in the 70s. It opened from Wednesday to Sunday and had three acts a night.

“His vocal impressions brought him a big following among the patrons and he was on first-name terms with most of the players at the time.

“One of his best friends is Mike Yarwood who had his own television series and specialised in impressions of Harold Wilson, the-then Prime Minister.”

Frank’s website says he “had the pleasure of introducing and performing with some of the top stars”.

These included Bill Haley & His Comets, The Drifters, Matt Monro, Frankie Vaughan, Mike Yarwood, Bob Monkhouse, Ken Dodd, The Supremes, Tony Christie, The Three Degrees, Lulu and most of the TV comics like Freddie Star, Bernard Manning, Frank Carson and – of course – Jimmy Cricket!

To hear Frank singing at the Golden Wellington Club, go to the homepage of this website and click on the arrow in the middle of the screen.