80th birthday show: ‘You could sense and feel the love from the audience’
Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket described the charity show to celebrate his 80th birthday as an “absolute joy”.
A full theatre and a host of top comedians helped to give Jimmy a night to remember at the Lowry in Salford.
Hundreds of people packed  for the Big Birthday Gala Show on 1 November to pay tribute to the Northern Irish entertainer.
Jimmy said on social media: “Hi Friends, what an absolute joy it was last Saturday night at the #quaystheatre in the Lowry, Salford with so many friends and family members to help me celebrate turning ‘80 Years Young’.
“You could sense and feel the love from the audience.
“My huge thanks to the very funny lineup of fellow comics who shared the stage with me, and who brought so much laughter to the show.
“#roywalker, #timvine #sydlittle, #steveroyle, #adrianwalsh #missbarbaranice, #frfrankiemulgrew, #katiemulgrew and organising the raffle (with family members), my son #dalemulgrew.
“The big surprise of the night was Lady Anne Dodd who brought the cake on and a big thank you also goes to my son-in-law Lee Martin and colleagues at #gagreflex who managed the gig.
Very special
“They did an absolutely wonderful technical job with the screen behind, alongside the brilliant #quaytheatrestaff and volunteers who made us all feel so welcome, while raising funds for #FrancisHouseChildrensHospice.”
Go to Jimmy’s Facebook page here to see photographs from the event.
The performers were:
- Tim Vine (Not Going Out, Live at the Apollo)
- Steve Royle (Britain’s Got Talent, Phoenix Nights)
- Roy Walker (Catchphrase, The Comedians)
- Syd Little (The Little and Large Show, Shooting Stars)
- Adrian Walsh (Today with Des and Mel)
- Barbara Nice (Coronation Street, Britain’s Got Talent)
- Katie Mulgrew (Coronation Street, Lovefix, The Dog Ate My Homework)
Lady Anne Dodd – whose famous comedian husband, the late Sir Ken Dodd, was a good friend of Jimmy’s – made her special appearance just before the interval.
At the end of the show, Jimmy’s family played a video on the big screen of some of the most memorable moments of his career.
And he told the appreciate audience: “You’ve made it very special for us.”
Read about his illustrious life here.
The event raised funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice, based in Didsbury, south Manchester.
Proceeds from a raffle held on the night raised £1,144.
‘Loads more legends’
Steve Royle, a Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2020, said on social media: “Such a huge honour to be asked by a legend to perform at his 80th Birthday celebration show.
“Alongside loads more legends too!!
“Happy Birthday Jimmy Cricket.”
Steve Royle posted photographs on social media of himself, Jimmy & fellow performers
Jimmy turned 80 on 17 October.
He has raised many thousands of pounds over many years for Francis House.
The charity cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.
It provides a home from home where families receive professional care, support and friendship.
Sister Aloysius and Fr Thomas Mulheran set up the Rainbow Family Trust in the early 1990s as a charity.
They were concerned about the lack of palliative care for the families of children with a short-life expectancy.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the seven-bedroom Francis House in November 1991.
Also read: Francis House benefits from Rochdale ‘jam’ night
Below: Applause all round at the end of the show.
Three legendary comics will headline a show of “comedy and variety for all the family” in Blackpool later this year.
Jimmy Cricket is appearing at a special comedy event later this year.
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St Margaret’s is a diverse and inclusive church which has served the community of Rainham for more than 800 years.
