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charity

Listen to Jimmy’s Christmas charity show online now! 150 150 mhamer

Listen to Jimmy’s Christmas charity show online now!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas charity show is available to listen to now on this website!

Jimmy Cricket’s Christmas charity show is available to listen to now on this website, folks!

Your favourite funnyman recorded the half-show variety performance in front of a live audience last week.

Joining Jimmy on stage were wife May Marion and Jonathan Young (from The Bachelors), who are both professional singers.

You can enjoy the recording from the comfort of your own home and listen whenever you want by going to the homepage of this website.

Scroll down a little to where you see the image above and simply click on it to start the show.

Christmas podcast to raise money for children's charity

The variety show, comprising comedy, songs and sketches, was recorded as part of one of the regular ‘jam’ nights in Jimmy’s adopted home of Rochdale.

Famous Northern Irish comedian Jimmy and May have for about 15 years hosted a regular night of entertainment and charity fund-raising at a local parish centre.

It provides an opportunity for Jimmy, May and other performers to try out new (and relive some old) routines.

They began it on a monthly basis and in the past few years have alternated hosting the jam nights with their good friend and fellow entertainer Eric Devereaux.

It takes place in the lounge area of St Vincent’s RC parish centre in Norden.

They often invite special guests who perform free of charge.

‘Merry Christmas everyone!’

There is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

The popular comedian has nicknamed those who regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

Francis House Children’s Hospice, for whom Jimmy has raised many thousands of pounds over the years, will benefit from proceeds of the Christmas special.

Jimmy said: “For anyone who does tune in, we’re asking them to make a small donation towards the charity.

“Big or small, they will all be warmly accepted.

“Merry Christmas everyone!”

People can contribute here.

Read all about the great work done by Francis House here.

Also read: Jam nights are about to return!

Helping keep Rochdale Carers Choir on the road! 150 150 mhamer

Helping keep Rochdale Carers Choir on the road!

Rochdale Carers Choir

More than £200 was raised for a worthy charity at Jimmy Cricket’s recent jam night in Rochdale.

Local, national and sometimes international entertainers perform for nothing at the monthly event, which takes place at St Vincent’s RC Parish Centre in the Norden area of the Greater Manchester town.

Among the musicians at the latest jam evening in early July were the Rochdale Carers Choir (members of which are pictured above with Jimmy and below), Keith Swift, Liz Creagh and Nathan Birks.

Famous entertainer Jimmy, 71, said: “The money raised by our generous audience on the night went towards keeping the Carers Choir on the road!”

The choir was set up by carers at the resource centre in Rochdale in June 2012 and is going from strength to strength, with a membership of more than 30 led by choirmaster Philip Reynolds.
Members of Rochdale Carers Choir
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, folks! 150 150 mhamer

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, folks!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features new US president Donald TrumpDear readers,

I cannot believe 2016 is coming to an end and the Christmas season is once more upon us.

This year has been a fantastic one for me personally as it all started back in January with a service led by the Bishop of Salford to formally award me with my Papal Knighthood.

During the year I have also been fortunate to have:

·         Been involved in some great shows, such as the You Must Be Joking, which toured Northern Ireland back in the spring, and the opening weekend of The Good Old Days autumn season at the world-famous City Varieties Theatre in Leeds

·         Made a couple of appearances alongside my friend Tony Crane and the iconic 60s band The Merseybeats

·         Had trips to Spain to appear in some lovely venues around the Costa Blanca region

·         Paid visits to the Warner Leisure sites at Nidd Hall in Harrogate and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight

·         Did a spring season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

·         Continued to write a monthly column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post

·         And managed, at long last, to launch a new Christmas CD for the Francis House Children’s Hospice – a project I’ve been wanting to get off the ground for a couple of years. As I write this, I am nearing sales of more than 1,300 from this year’s festive period.

This Christmas I am at the White Rose Theatre in Leeds featuring in a panto production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

And then when we get into 2017, I immediately fly off to Tenerife for an appearance there early in the New Year!

And there’s more…

… Other highlights for 2017 include a return to the Benidorm Palace in March alongside Gerry and the Pacemakers; another residency back at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool over the winter, spring and the autumn; teaming up with my pals from  show band group Clubsound for a night in Northern Ireland In April; a visit to the Wayside Cheer Hotel in Guernsey over the Easter weekend; a voyage with Cruise & Maritime Voyages around the Faroe Islands in July; and plenty more to keep me out of mischief!

If you see me advertised at any venue near you in 2017, please do come along and say ‘Hi’!

That reminds me… can I thank all those who over the last year have either seen one of my shows, or browsed this website, or bought one of my CDs or DVDs.

All that remains for me to say, dear readers, is have a happy Christmas and a great start to the New Year!

Jimmy Cricket's signature

Show for Francis House raises a ‘handsome sum’ 150 150 mhamer

Show for Francis House raises a ‘handsome sum’

Jimmy Cricket with Jim Nicholas and Canon McBride

A charity show in Salford featuring famous comedian Jimmy Cricket raised a “handsome sum” for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Jimmy Cricket's wife May Marion with Canon Tony McBride

The event was held at St Peter’s & St Paul’s Parish Centre in Eccles at the end of April.

Jimmy performs each year in about eight shows across the Greater Manchester region to raise money for the hospice, which is located in South Manchester.

Each performance also features his wife May Marion singing, with Jim Nicholas completing the line-up with his Cliff’s Disco outfit.

Above, Jimmy is pictured with Jim Nicholas and Canon McBride, whose parish centre was where the show was hosted. Right, Canon McBride is with May.

Other fundraising events to come will take place at St Patrick’s Social Centre, Collyhurst in Manchester on Friday October 9 and St Mary’s Parish Centre in Denton on Wednesday October 21.

Catch up with Concordia show in photos 150 150 mhamer

Catch up with Concordia show in photos

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Jimmy Cricket’s recent performance at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire, was captured on film.

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Matt Holt took these photographs, which are courtesy of MGL Media.

It was the second of two variety shows, which well-known entertainer Jimmy did with Midlands crooner Michael George.

The other one took place at the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, seven days earlier.

They each featured Michael, his wonderful eight-piece band, his troupe of dancers, a supporting female vocalist, and comedian Jimmy as the special guest star.

The Concordia Theatre show is an annual event, which Michael holds each year to raise money for charity, with all proceeds going to Leicestershire-based  Hope Against Cancer.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed working with Michael at both the Gainsborough and Hinckley shows and found his enthusiasm for performing just wonderful to see.”

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event 150 150 mhamer

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event

The special poster publicising the charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket's 70th birthday in OctoberA special poster has been produced to publicise the 5K charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday in October.

The event is being arranged in Jimmy’s adopted hometown of Rochdale in Greater Manchester by a seasoned run organiser called Andy O’Sullivan, who is not only associated with the local Rochdale Harriers running club, but who has also been awarded the MBE for all the fundraising he has done over the years.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy will turn 70 on 17 October 2015 and his birthday race will take place the following day.

The location of the start will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

He will be there in person to start the race off at 11.30am, with the route planned to take in two laps of Cowm Reservoir, ensuring the race will be a true 5K.

Jimmy said:  “A big thank you to Rachel –  one of the charity’s trainee fundraisers – for producing a nice flyer for the event (above right).

“Naturally, I will be on hand to start the race off outside the Cock & Magpie public house and welcome back the winners after two laps of this stunning water feature. I will also hand out the prizes in the Cock & Magpie once all runners are safely back home.”

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities, which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live

Stephen Nolan - Jimmy Cricket is appearing on his BBC radio show

Jimmy Cricket is going to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s popular current affairs television show Nolan Live on Wednesday, June 3.

It is presented by Stephen Nolan (above) – a name that might be familiar to readers as he is often heard on BBC Radio 5 live presenting the station’s evening programme at the weekend.

Stephen Nolan's programme is called Nolan Live

Stephen’s TV show in Northern Ireland is a mix between topical debate and chat – he holds a panel discussion during one part of the programme, with the other section devoted to talking to a special guest. The first programme in this current series featured Peter Stringfellow,  the British businessman and nightclub owner.

Nolan Live has built a significant share of the viewing audience over several series and is now one of the most popular shows that BBC Northern Ireland produces for its home audience.

Famous entertainer Jimmy said: “Not only will I be having a chat with Stephen about what I am up to currently, but I have also been asked to perform some comedy stand-up and this is an opportunity I’m relishing.”