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Raising money for Help for Heroes 150 150 mhamer

Raising money for Help for Heroes
Jimmy Cricket and Phil Walker at the Comedy for Heroes show

Fellow comics Jimmy Cricket and Phil Walker at the fund-raising Comedy for Heroes show in Sale

Jimmy Cricket appeared with fellow comedians at a show to raise money for wounded members of the Armed Forces.

The Comedy for Heroes show, which took place at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale, Greater Manchester, on Saturday 18 February, was a fundraiser for Help for Heroes.

Other funnymen on the show included John Moloney, Rob Rouse, Phil Walker and Steve Royle.

Comedian and TV presenter Jason Manford made an appearance at the end of the performance, while his brother Colin was compere for the night.

The organisers said afterwards: “We would like to thank our audience for joining us for Comedy for Heroes.

“We had an amazing night. All the comics were brilliant and we had loads of bids for the sports auction prizes. Our bucket was full of raffle tickets for our great prizes too.

“We were even visited by comic royalty in the shape of Jason Manford at the end of the gig!”

Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a wish to help the wounded servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

* A video slideshow of Jimmy with several of his fellow comedians involved in this event can be viewed on the front page of this website and at the Welliebootuk channel on YouTube.

Show benefits Anna’s Hope charity 150 150 mhamer

Show benefits Anna’s Hope charity
Jimmy with Carole Hughes, mother of Anna, and Eileen

Jimmy with Carole Hughes, mother of Anna who tragically died from a brain tumour aged just three, and Eileen

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket has helped to raise money for a charity formed in memory of a little girl who died from a brain tumour.

He was appearing at the Corn Exchange Theatre in Stamford, Lincolnshire, over half-term week and part of the revenue from the show went to a local charity called Anna’s Hope.

The leading children’s brain tumour charity in the east of England, Anna’s Hope is dedicated to giving hope to children and young people diagnosed with a brain tumour.

It was inspired by Anna Olivia Hughes, who tragically died from a brain tumour aged only three years and eight months, and was set up by Anna’s parents, Rob and Carole Hughes, and her five godparents in October 2006.

Jimmy said: “I would like to thank the Corn Exchange manager Judith Mackie who put in a lot of hard work to make my visit happen. It was also her idea to raise funds for this very worthy cause.”

‘The consummate showman’ 150 150 mhamer

‘The consummate showman’
Review of Jimmy Cricket and May Marion from 4 February at the Clwyd Theatre Cymru in Mold, Flintshire, North Wales

Jimmy and May appeared at the Clwyd Theatre Cymru in Mold, North Wales

“Jimmy’s 40-plus years in the business shone through, endorsing him, if endorsement was needed, as the consummate showman.”

Comedian Jimmy Cricket received a magnificent reception and much acclaim when he appeared at the Clwyd Theatre Cymru in Mold, Flintshire, North Wales, with his wife, singer May Marion.

Above is a review from The Evening Leader newspaper which enthused: “The audience left delighted and Mold Methodist Church was better off to the tune of £1,600 towards its renovation plans.”

Celebrities support toy giveaway 150 150 mhamer

Celebrities support toy giveaway
A special photo call was staged to mark the toy giveaway. Photo by Ian McClelland

A special photo call was staged to mark the toy giveaway. Photo by Ian McClelland

The festive pantomine in which Jimmy Cricket is currently starring has been well-received by the critics.

Cinderella is on at the Civic Theatre in Darlington until Sunday January 15.

The cast features Jimmy, who plays Baron Hardup alongside Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn and former Emmerdale actress Deena Payne.

Recent good reviews of the show can be found at The Stage website and Whatsonstage.

Jimmy and other panto stars agreed to take part in a special photo call to mark a toy giveaway for underprivileged children.

The event was sponsored by a local Darlington car dealership called Jennings Ford and also involved the Salvation Army.

Despite a busy schedule, Jimmy, Ray – who plays Prince Charming – and Deena (Fairy Godmother) took time out from the busy rehearsals to offer their support to the appeal.

Jimmy poses with a child in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Jimmy poses for a picture with a child in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Last year about 7,000 children and 2,000 families across the North East of England were supported with presents and a further 1,000 individuals received food over the Christmas period.

For the past 13 consecutive years, Jennings Motor Group has supported the appeal by using its branch network across the region as drop-off points for staff and members of the public.

Ray Riaz, general manager at Jennings Ford’s Yarm Road dealership in Stockton, said: “We were delighted that the cast of this year’s pantomime could help out with the appeal. The Salvation Army does an absolutely amazing job helping those in the local community, not just at Christmas time but all year round.”

Anyone wanting to buy tickets for the panto should ring 01325 486 555 or visit the website at Darlington Civic Theatre and Arts Centre.

Jimmy gives his autograph in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Jimmy gives his autograph in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Meet the Wooden Hut Club 150 150 mhamer

Meet the Wooden Hut Club
Members of the Wooden Hut Club

Members of the Wooden Hut Club

November saw the latest gathering of the informal showbiz fraternity group that Jimmy Cricket attends, which is lovingly called the “Wooden Hut Club”.

Conveniently for Jimmy, the location where this get-together takes place is in Rochdale. It was felt Rochdale was well placed on the M62 between Manchester/Cheshire and Yorkshire for his showbiz pals to get to. After the first ‘do’ was successfully held at the Royal Toby Hotel restaurant on Manchester Road in Castleton, the club have met there ever since.

This gathering has been meeting on and off for last four years and, as you can see from the photo, there was a large number who attended the last lunch showing it is well supported. This is probably because it is a rare chance for showbiz professionals to come together and catch up with the industry news – and of course reminisce about old times.

Some of the individuals in the photo with Jimmy are: Buzz Hawkins from ‘The Bradshaws’, ‘The Comedians’ producer Johnnie Hamp, impressionist Johnny More, BBC radio producer Steve Garner, comedy script writer Phil Collinge, the wife of former BBC radio comedy producer Mike Craig, Treflyn Jones from Target television and entertainer Eric Devereaux.

Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday
Jimmy, his wife May (right) and good friend Patti

Jimmy, his wife May (right) and good friend Patti

Jimmy Cricket recently attended the 60th birthday of a good friend of his, the former singer Patti Gold.

The bash was hosted at Patti’s local golf club in Wakefield called Higher Lane Golf Club.

Patti and Jimmy go back a long way and although Patti has now left the business, her husband is still heavily involved and is an excellent musical director called Stuart Gold, who used to be the main musical director at the legendary Batley Variety Club and has worked with some of the most famous singers and entertainers in the country.

Patti actually featured in Jimmy’s first television series on ITV of “And There’s More” way back in the mid 1980s as one of the supporting cast members. Alongside Patti was impressionist Rory Bremner. This was Rory’s first break on television before he launched himself on a bigger platform.

Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed myself at Patti’s party and am thrilled I have been able to keep in touch with her for all these years.

“Although Patti left the business a number of years ago to work in IT, interestingly enough she has recently taken a job working in a dance and drama school, so she is re-introducing herself slowly back into the world of arts and entertainment!”

Treading the Comedy Carpet 150 150 mhamer

Treading the Comedy Carpet
The Crickets' grandson, Tristan, points out Jimmy's famous catchphrase "And there's more..."

The Crickets' grandson, Tristan, points out Jimmy's famous catchphrase "And there's more..."

The Comedy Carpet in Blackpool celebrates the work of more than 1,000 comedians and comedy writers – including our very own Jimmy Cricket.

It features jokes, songs and catchphrases dating from the early days of variety to the current day.

Situated in front of Blackpool Tower, the 2,200 square metres of art contains over 160,000 granite letters embedded into concrete. It was created by artist Gordon Young and commissioned by Blackpool Council as part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the sea front.

Mrs Cricket took their grandson Tristan to visit the Comedy Carpet.

“It’s a fantastic idea, a superb piece of public art. But most importantly it recognises the undeniable contribution that comedians have made to Blackpool over the years as they performed in the resort’s much-loved theatres,” says Jimmy.

“My grandson was gently guided to where my name was located in the lengthy roll call of comedians that have been included within the Comedy Carpet.

“Then – and this must have been quite a feat given that this carpet stretches out over quite a huge land mass – he and grandma managed to located my catchphrase – ‘And there’s more…’ which is one of the many sayings and jokes listed on this carpet.

“I have been told by Mrs Cricket that this is quite a comedy hall of fame, as many comedians who have trodden the Blackpool boards have a joke or catchphrase presented on the carpet. I cannot wait to view the carpet myself!”