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2012 – we look back at the highlights 150 150 mhamer

2012 – we look back at the highlights
Jimmy Cricket played Baron Hardup in panto with Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn as Prince Charming

Jimmy was Baron Hardup in panto with Dancing on Ice’s Ray Quinn Prince Charming

Jimmy has had another busy year and as usual he has travelled the length and breadth of the country to meet his touring commitments throughout 2012.

Some of the highlights of the past 12 months include:

– At the start of the year appearing as Baron Hardup in a pantomime version of Cinderella at the Civic Theatre in Darlington

– Headlining the summer show at the Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne, which ran for five months and was presented every Tuesday and Wednesday evening from the first week of May through to the end of September

– Featuring in a northern comedy tour alongside the inimitable Mick Miller

– Appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Sheffield Comedy festival and the new Belly Laughs Belfast comedy festival

– Travelling to venues in Guernsey, Cromer, Torquay, Bridlington, Carlisle, Towyn and Glasgow – to name just a few of the different places visited

– Appearing in BBC 3’s Comedy Marathon which was recorded at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival

– Participating in a recording of the new Sky TV comedy series called John Bishop’s Only Joking

Jimmy said: “I would like to thank all those who came to one of my shows this year or who have bought one of my merchandise items.

“Also thanks to anyone who has followed me on Twitter, decided to be a friend on Facebook or who has viewed one of my clips on YouTube.

“Thanks you all for your continuing support and I hope to see you in 2013!”

Thanks – and have a meal on me! 150 150 mhamer

Thanks – and have a meal on me!

 

The technical crew used Jimmy's money to go to an Italian restaurant

The technical crew used Jimmy’s money to go to an Italian restaurant

Jimmy Cricket recently completed a five-month summer season in Eastbourne – and thanked the technical crew by treating them to an Italian meal.

On the last night of the show, Sentimental Journey, at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, the famous Irish comedian gave each of the technical staff a tenner as a small token of his appreciation for all their help.

The four, Megan, James, Tim and Jo, went out and spent Jimmy’s financial contribution at an Italian restaurant.

And they sent Jimmy a message of appreciation and said they had all enjoyed working with Jimmy over the summer season.

It read:

Jimmy,

With a hearty thanks from the Royal Hippodrome Crew who enjoyed a splendid post season three-course meal thanks to your generosity.

It’s been a pleasure working with you.

Best regards,

Megan, James, Tim & Jo xx

The crew sent Jimmy photos of them having the meal and he immediately recognised the Italian restaurant as he used to frequent it often over the summer when he was in the resort.

Reward for outstanding courtesy 150 150 mhamer

Reward for outstanding courtesy

The article appeared in the 11 September edition of the Eastbourne Gazette

Comedian Jimmy Cricket, who prides himself on his clean humour, has helped to honour a man for outstanding courtesy and good customer service.

The Belfast-born, Rochdale-based funnyman was on hand to present Jack Pout from Eastbourne his award on behalf of the National Campaign for Courtesy.

Jack, aged 18, works at his parents’ business Seaside Furniture and was nominated by shopper Edward Thomas, who lives in Eastbourne and is a member of the campaign.

The presentation featuring Jimmy, who is a patron of the campaign, and Jack was reported by the Eastbourne Gazette and on the Eastbourne Herald online.

Also at the presentation were campaign chairman Peter Foot and Mr Thomas.

Other campaign patrons include:

DAVID HAMILTON
ROY HUDD OBE
DOUG McKENZIE
DIANA MORAN
PENNY PALMANO
ESTHER RANTZEN CBE
JOAN REGAN
THE CHIEF RABBI LORD SACKS OF ALDGATE
MARY ANN SIEGHART
JUNE WHITFIELD CBE

Jimmy has been performing in Eastbourne twice a week since 1 May in the family show Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre. It finishes next Wednesday (26 September).

It’s Showtime! 150 150 mhamer

It’s Showtime!
A train forms the backdrop for all the performers in Sentimental Journey

A train forms the backdrop for all the performers in Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre

A railway station is the nostalgic setting for a variety summer show starring comedian Jimmy Cricket.

The Belfast-born funnyman has since May been appearing in Sentimental Journey to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Entertainers Mike Lee and Barry Moon

Entertainers Mike Lee and Barry Moon

The story goes that a train has broken down at the Royal Hippodrome station  so, while everyone waits for it to be repaired, the station master and “the man from head office” arrange some entertainment to keep people amused.

It transports the audience back to an era when a small company of talented individuals would sing, dance and tell jokes.

For a video slideshow of the performers from the show, visit Jimmy’s homepage here or go to the Wellie Boot channel on YouTube.

The host for the evening is the singer Mike Lee, who plays the train’s inspector, and at the start of the show he bumps into the train’s conductor – none other than the talented impressionist Barry Moon.

Barry Moon sings at the Hippodrome

Barry Moon sings at the Royal Hippodrome

Jimmy Cricket said: “Both Barry and Mike are also the show’s producers and they have done a great job at putting this show together.”

The Showtime Dancers in Sentimental Journey are Nick, Jo, Lauren and Janine.

Also appearing are world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea.

Colin, who starred on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes, has gone on to become one of the most experienced and acclaimed Billy Fury acts in the world. Halfway to Paradise was one of Fury’s best-known songs.

Tracy Lee and dancers Nick, Jo, Lauren and Janine

Tracy Lee & dancers Nick, Jo, Lauren & Janine

Connie Francis’ greatest hits included Who’s Sorry Now, Lipstick on Your Collar and Stupid Cupid. Tracy also appeared on Stars in Their Eyes, a British television talent show screened on Saturday nights from 21 July 1990 to 23 December 2006 in which contestants impersonated showbiz stars.

Jimmy, Colin and Tracy recently appeared live in Eastbourne on ITV’s breakfast show, Daybreak.

* Performances for Sentimental Journey are at 8.15 each Tuesday and Wednesday night throughout the summer. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

Article recalls Olympic show 150 150 mhamer

Article recalls Olympic show
Eastbourne Herald article about Jimmy Cricket on ITV's Daybreak breakfast programme

The article in the Eastbourne Herald newspaper about Jimmy Cricket on ITV's Daybreak breakfast show

A newspaper has reported on Jimmy Cricket’s live appearance earlier this month on ITV.

The Irish comedian was interviewed by presenter Gethin Jones on the breakfast show, Daybreak, 10 days ago.

Alongside him were fellow entertainers in Sentimental Journey, the family extravaganza running at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

The programme was celebrating the journey of the Olympic Torch through the town of Eastbourne ahead of London 2012 which officially starts later today.

An article about the occasion, including Jimmy’s appearance, was published in the Eastbourne Herald.

VIDEO: Watch Jimmy with Gethin on Daybreak here.

* Performances for Sentimental Journey are at 8.15 each Tuesday and Wednesday night throughout the summer. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

Catching up on old times 150 150 mhamer

Catching up on old times

Old friends Jimmy Cricket and Jacqui Ridler meet up again

Jimmy Cricket met up with an old friend while appearing in his summer show on the south coast.

The famous comedian is currently starring in Sentimental Journey, the family extravaganza running at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, every Tuesday and Wednesday evening until 26 September.

Jimmy Cricket and Jacqui Ridler

And it was there he caught up with Jacqui Ridler (formerly Jacqui Munroe) whom Jimmy has known since the 1970s.

They first met when Jimmy worked the holiday park circuit in Torbay where Jacqui was a Bluecoat.

Jacqui herself is from Torquay and her mum ran a hotel in the resort for a long time. In fact, Jimmy stayed at the hotel in 1994 when he was appearing at the Festival Theatre in Paignton.

She now lives in Eastbourne with her husband and thought she should pop along and catch up with Jimmy.

When Cricket met tennis… 150 150 mhamer

When Cricket met tennis…

Comedy legend Jimmy CricketJimmy Cricket has been trying his hand at tennis – or an unlikely mixture of tennis and cricket! – ahead of an international sports tournament.

The Aegon International at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne starts on Monday (18 June) and for many top tennis players is an annual warm-up for Wimbledon which begins the following week.

Former world number one Andy Roddick is one of the names appearing at this year’s Aegon International after the 2003 US Open champion was knocked out of the current tournament at Queen’s Club in the second round.

Comedy legend Cricket, who is currently starring in the variety show Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre on Seaside Road every Tuesday and Wednesday until 26 September, could not resist a trip to Eastbourne Sports Park to see what happens when Cricket met tennis!

The Irish funnyman larked about for the cameras with his trademark wellies (on the wrong feet of course). His jovial banter lit up the huge all-weather tennis centre  situated at Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne.

Comedy legend Jimmy Cricket

Sentimental Journey is a traditional, family friendly variety show, which has been playing at the delightful ‘hidden gem’ of a theatre since May. Audiences and critics have been enjoying the show and delighting in Jimmy’s hilarious routines which feature an array of ridiculous props, stories and jokes.

And “there’s more” as the cast also includes music from Colin Gold as Billy Fury, Tracey Lea as Connie Francis with comedy from Mike Lee and Barry Moon, plus the Showtime Dancers.

Tickets are priced at £17 – to book call the box office on 01323 412000 or go online here.

Eastbourne Sports Park is a collaborative project between Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Sussex Downs College, Park College and Sport England.

All photos for this story courtesy of Peter Gurr.

Comedy legend Jimmy Cricket

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