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Duggie Brown: Consummate professional will be missed by all 150 150 mhamer

Duggie Brown: Consummate professional will be missed by all

From, "The Comedians", TV show to the dramatic roles on stage to Pantomime Dame, Duggie Brown did them all brilliantly, ever the consummate professional he will be missed by all his friends in the entertainment profession, our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved Jackie!

Actor Duggie Brown, who has died at the age of 82, was “ever the consummate professional”, said Jimmy Cricket.

Coronation Street and Last of the Summer Wine were among the many TV programmes in which Duggie starred.

He also appeared on stage, including in pantomimes, during a career spanning five decades.

Upon hearing the sad news of Duggie’s passing, fellow comedian Jimmy posted the photograph above on social media.

He said: “From The Comedians TV show to the dramatic roles on stage to Pantomime Dame, Duggie Brown did them all brilliantly.

“Ever the consummate professional, he will be missed by all his friends in the entertainment profession.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved Jackie.”

Duggie died on Tuesday morning with his wife, Jackie, by his side.

He first found fame in the iconic 1969 film, Kes.

Later, he acted in soaps including Corrie and Brookside, as well as TV shows The Comedians and The Wheeltappers And Shunters Social Club.

He appeared in a range of documentaries and dramas, including All Creatures Great And Small, Heartbeat, Hotel Babylon, EastEnders, Holby City and My Brother’s Keeper.

Also read from this website: Charlie Williams – one of the funniest men to grace a stage

Jimmy Cricket panto features in Leeds mag 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket panto features in Leeds mag

Jimmy Cricket will star in a pantomime production of the classic fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Leeds over Christmas and New Year

Jimmy Cricket’s latest pantomime is the focus of an article in a city lifestyle magazine.

The famous entertainer, 71, who is currently playing the Court Jester in the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  at the White Rose Theatre, was interviewed for the Leeds-based Northside publication.

The article on Jimmy Cricket appeared in the Leeds-based Northside publication

It has been published in the December edition to tie in with Jimmy’s appearance in the panto, which opened on Thursday (8 December).

The White Rose Theatre is a new 1,400-seater arena, which has been built in a large marquee complex located within the premises of the Tetley contemporary arts gallery and near Leeds’ main train station.

It also features reality TV celebrity Scotty T, who won this year’s Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 and plays the role of Prince Charming.

Actors Louis Emerick (from Last of the Summer Wine and Brookside fame) and Tupele Dorgu (who has appeared in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks) are the Royal Tax Collector and the Wicked Queen respectively.

And there will be cameo performances from children’s TV programme Rainbow’s George and Zippy, plus a recorded sequence starring Jimmy’s very good friend and fellow comedian Ken Dodd.

* The show will run until 1 January 2017 and tickets are now on sale –  visit www.whiterosetheatre.com or ring 0113 870 7769.

Charity Christmas CD and Snow White panto treat 150 150 mhamer

Charity Christmas CD and Snow White panto treat

Jimmy Cricket's column in the Lancashire Evening PostJimmy Cricket has been looking back in his latest newspaper column on his recent visit to a top shopping centre – and looking ahead to the pantomime he is starring in, which starts tonight (8 December).

Jimmy’s promotion of his new charity Christmas CD continued at the Intu Trafford Centre on the outskirts of Manchester.

Jimmy Cricket’s new Christmas CD is in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice

The popular 71-year-old comedian was invited to perform some tracks from the CD, entitled Santa bring my wellies back to me,  on the stage area of the Orient section of the mall.

Volunteers and staff from the Francis House Children’s Hospice – the very worthy cause Jimmy’s CD is in aid of – were also present.

In his December column for the Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy says: “I had a very enjoyable time doing my couple of numbers up on the stage and then rushing down to the stall to help our wonderful volunteers sell CDs for those who wanted to take home the experience.”

* The new charity Christmas CD is available to buy from this website through a PayPal facility or in person directly from the hospice.

‘Mouth-watering treat for all ages’

Jimmy will play the Court Jester in the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the White Rose Theatre in Leeds City centre from 8 December to 1 January.

The White Rose Theatre is a new 1,400-seater arena, erected in a large marquee complex located within the premises of the Tetley contemporary arts gallery and near the city’s main train station.

This first evening performance on Friday 9 December will be a special charity preview of the show, where three local charities will stand to benefit greatly as all ticket sales will be shared out between them.

The panto also features reality TV celebrity Scotty T, who won this year’s Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 and will play the role of Prince Charming.

Actors Louis Emerick (from Last of the Summer Wine and Brookside fame) and Tupele Dorgu (who has featured in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks) will play the roles of the Royal Tax Collector and the Wicked Queen respectively.

And there will be cameo performances from children’s TV programme Rainbow’s George and Zippy, plus a recorded sequence starring Jimmy’s very good friend and fellow comedian Ken Dodd.

In his Lancashire Evening Post column , Jimmy says:  “This year we’ll have the new heartthrob from television Scotty T as the Prince.

“Also Geoffrey and Zippy from Rainbow will be helping me to give the wicked queen her comeuppance and we’ll even have the great Ken Dodd appear on video within the magic mirror.

“Yes, a mouth-watering treat for all ages.”

* The show will run from 8 December 2016 to 1 January 2017 and tickets are now on sale –  visit www.whiterosetheatre.com or ring 0113 870 7769.

Jimmy Cricket will star in a pantomime production of the classic fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Leeds over Christmas and New Year

Christmas pantomime rehearsals set to start 150 150 mhamer

Christmas pantomime rehearsals set to start

Jimmy Cricket will star in a pantomime production of the classic fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Leeds over Christmas and New Year

Popular veteran entertainer Jimmy Cricket is about to begin rehearsals for the pantomime he will feature in over the Christmas and New Year period.

The 71-year-old comedian will play the Court Jester in the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the White Rose Theatre in Leeds City centre from 8 December 2016 to 1 January.

The White Rose Theatre is a new 1,400-seater arena, erected in a large marquee complex located within the premises of the Tetley contemporary arts gallery and near the city’s main train station.

This first evening performance on Friday 9 December will be a special charity preview of the show, where three local charities will stand to benefit greatly as all ticket sales will be shared out between them.

The panto also features reality TV celebrity Scotty T, who won this year’s Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 and will play the role of Prince Charming.

Actors Louis Emerick (from Last of the Summer Wine and Brookside fame) and Tupele Dorgu (who has featured in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks) will play the roles of the Royal Tax Collector and the Wicked Queen respectively.

And there will be cameo performances from children’s TV programme Rainbow’s George and Zippy, plus a recorded sequence starring Jimmy’s very good friend and fellow comedian Ken Dodd.

* The show will run from 8 December 2016 to 1 January 2017 and tickets are now on sale –  visit www.whiterosetheatre.com or ring 0113 870 7769.

The countdown begins to Christmas panto in Leeds 150 150 mhamer

The countdown begins to Christmas panto in Leeds

Jimmy Cricket will star in a pantomime production of the classic fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Leeds over Christmas and New Year

A pantomime which will star famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket is now only five weeks away.

Ever-popular comedian Jimmy, whose last panto appearance was at Preston’s Charter Theatre two years ago, will play the Court Jester in the classic fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

It will be staged at a brand new venue that is being set up in the centre of Leeds for the festive season.

The White Rose Theatre will be a new 1,400-seater arena, which will be erected in a large marquee complex located within the premises of the Tetley contemporary arts gallery and near the city’s main train station.

The company behind this new venue, Mobile Structures, also supply temporary performance areas to festivals such as Glastonbury and to the Disney company for the presentation of their popular ice shows around Europe.

This Leeds pantomime features reality TV celebrity Scotty T, who won this year’s Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 and will play the role of Prince Charming.

Actors Louis Emerick (from Last of the Summer Wine and Brookside fame) and Tupele Dorgu (who has featured in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks) will play the roles of the Royal Tax Collector and the Wicked Queen respectively.

And there will be cameo performances from children’s TV programme Rainbow’s George and Zippy, plus a recorded sequence starring Jimmy’s very good friend and fellow comedian Ken Dodd.

* The show will run from 8 December 2016 to 1 January 2017 and tickets are now on sale –  visit www.whiterosetheatre.com or ring 0113 870 7769.

Returning to Christmas panto? Oh yes he is! 150 150 mhamer

Returning to Christmas panto? Oh yes he is!
Teaching a fellow showbiz star to juggle 150 150 mhamer

Teaching a fellow showbiz star to juggle
Jimmy Cricket has been teaching Ray Quinn how to juggle

Jimmy Cricket has been teaching Ray Quinn how to juggle

Veteran Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket has been giving juggling lessons to actor, dancer and singer Ray Quinn.

The pair appeared in the pantomime Cinderella at the Darlington Civic Theatre which finished on Sunday 15 January.

Jimmy, who played Baron Hardup, said he enjoyed working with all the cast during the six-week showing of the panto.

“We got Cinderella to the ball!” laughed Jimmy this week.

“I have found a great friend in Ray Quinn and you can see me teaching him to juggle on YouTube.”

The juggling video can also be found on the homepage here on Jimmy’s website and on Ray’s own official site.

Jimmy added: “There must have been about 65 panto shows in all as there were often two a day. It was very intensive but thoroughly enjoyable.”

Ray Quinn, who was Prince Charming in the Darlington panto, is engaged to theatre star Emma Stephens who played Cinderella.

They first met when they starred together in Grease in London’s West End several years ago.

Former Brookside actor Ray shot to fame when he finished runner-up to Leona Lewis in the 2007 series of The X Factor and two years later he won ITV’s Dancing on Ice with professional ice skater Maria Filippov.

“Ray’s a good-looking guy. He’s got a terrific voice and dances very well too. I think he could very easily become the next Michael Bublé [Canadian singer and actor]. Ray, Emma and the rest of the cast were great working colleagues,” said Jimmy.

View a musical slideshow of Jimmy and his fellow panto stars on his YouTube channel.

Jimmy and his wife May have just moved house though they still live in Rochdale.

He explained: “We have downsized but only gone around the corner to a lovely cottage overlooking Healey Dell Nature Reserve.”

“The move means we have been offline for a while and have fallen a bit behind with our email and Facebook, but I can assure everybody that they will receive replies to their queries and orders in the next few weeks.”