Jimmy Cricket has sent seasonal greetings from himself and his wife May to all his social media followers.
The famous entertainer posted a goodwill message on both his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
His Twitter posting read: “My Christmas card 2018, wishing all my Twitter friends a Merry Christmas 
with Love and Best Wishes from me and Mrs C. x”
Jimmy Cricket finished his 2018 season at a popular hotel in Lancashire – but will be back there early in the New Year.
Much-loved Northern Irish comedian Jimmy, 73, has done shows regularly over the past few years at the hotel on the Promenade in Blackpool and has a host of performances lined up there during 2019 – see all the dates below.
Tweeted Jimmy: “My last performance here tonight at the#LyndeneHotel for 2018. Merry Christmas ? to all the Staff and fellow performers! See you all in January next year 2019! ?”
The Lyndene, which is perched on the seafront, is one of Blackpool’s unique locations as it welcomes tourists and visitors all year round.
Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing his tour dates on this website.
Visit the hotel’s website here.
Jimmy Cricket was interviewed on the radio by a relative recently!
The Northern Irish comedian chatted to his cousin Pat Breslin, who as well as being a professional entertainer himself, is a presenter on Black Country Radio, which broadcasts across part of the West Midlands.
Jimmy was asked about his Christmas CD, Santa bring my wellies back to me, which first went on sale two years ago and has now sold around 1600 copies.
Jimmy posted on social media: “Was interviewed by my cousin Pat Breslin! Listen to our chat here, as we also promote my Christmas CD, with all the proceeds going to @FrancisHouseCH http://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/radioplayer/od/items/1827/ …
The interview with Jimmy begins at 2:05:20; towards the top of the page on the link above, press the play button (arrow pointing right) and then drag the white circle along the black band to this time.
Famous funnyman Jimmy said that when another 400 copies of the CD have been sold, it will have raised £10,000 for the hospice.
The name of the CD relates to the theft several years ago of concrete wellington boots (below right) given to Rochdale-based Jimmy by friend and fellow comedian, the late Sir Ken Dodd. They were never recovered.
All proceeds go to Francis House Children’s Hospice which is based in south Manchester and is a favourite charity of Jimmy’s.
For more details about this special offer, go here.
Chas & Dave’s Christmas Knees-up (1982) festive special can be watched on YouTube
Jimmy Cricket has paid tribute to Chas Hodges who died last week from pneumonia aged 74.
Chas, who was one half of the musical duo Chas and Dave, passed away peacefully in his sleep.
He had been suffering from oesophageal cancer, but his family has said in a statement that it was under control at the time of his death.
Comedian Jimmy said he felt “blessed” to have performed on a festive special with the Cockney pair in 1982. Other guests on the show included English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Eric Clapton.
Chas and Dave were particularly big in the 1970s and 80s, and performed four FA Cup final songs with Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Jimmy posted on social media: “Just heard of the passing of Chas, they were great singer song writers with their own inimitable style, they coined a new phrase in music, Rockney, blessed to have done this Christmas Show with them.”
Watch Chas and Dave’s 1982 Christmas special here (Jimmy appears seven minutes and six seconds into the show).
Jimmy Cricket said he was thrilled in appear in a pantomime in his adopted home town of Rochdale.
Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy played Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington in both Ellesmere Port and in Rochdale.
Ellesmere Port Civic Centre staged the show until 20 December and Rochdale’s Gracie Fields Theatre from 22-31 December.
The panto also featured The Chase’s Mark Labbett (known as The Beast), who played King Rat.
Jimmy tweeted: “What a thrill it was to play panto in my adopted home town of Rochdale, at the Gracie Fields Theatre. I ‘d like to thank all my friends and neighbours for supporting their local Theatre.”
The 72-year-old comedian also posted his thanks to everyone involved in the production of the panto, including his “wonderful” fellow cast members.
Jimmy Cricket has revealed his joyful amazement when he discovered the identity of one of his fellow pantomime performers.
The well-known Northern Irish entertainer is currently playing Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington, which is running at the Gracie Fields Theatre until New Year’s Eve in Rochdale where he lives.
The panto also features The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast), who plays King Rat.
Jimmy, 72, says in his December column in the Preston-based Lancashire Post that over the years he has played a lot of shows at a small theatre called the West Cliff in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.
“Every now and then, when I would come round to the front of house after the show to say goodnight, there would be a lady called Chrissie Grew with her two sons,” he recalls.
“As the years went by, Chrissie would keep in touch telling me about one of her boys – Danny – who developed a ‘magic act’.
“She would tell me about him taking his first tentative steps into the world of show business. Then her emails would get more exciting as more and more bookings would come in.
“Fast forward to a few months ago and I sign up to play panto in my adopted town of Rochdale this Christmas.
“I arrive to do the publicity launch and guess who’s playing Dick Whittington? You’re absolutely right! Danny! Yes, all those times his mum, Chrissie, took him to see stage shows planted seeds of a flower that has now blossomed.”
Jimmy Cricket was the subject of a special feature in the 50th edition of Rochdale Style.
The article about the Rochdale-based, Belfast-born comedian, 72, was in a question-and-answer format.
Among the questions were what does the Northern Irish entertainer want for Christmas.
His reply? “Peace or the box set of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! I just watch Fred on YouTube and think he’s incredible. He’s a big inspiration to me.”
And when asked if he would appear on BBC’s popular Strictly Come Dancing, Jimmy said: “Oh Yes? Tomorrow!”
The Rochdale Style magazine is edited by actor Colin Meredith, a good friend of Jimmy.
Jimmy is currently playing Professor Fitzwarren in pantomime Dick Whittington, which is running at Rochdale’s Gracie Fields Theatre until New Year’s Eve.
The panto also features The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast), who plays King Rat.