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coronation street

Oldham Coliseum – fabulous news it will open again as a theatre! 150 150 mhamer

Oldham Coliseum – fabulous news it will open again as a theatre!

Jimmy Cricket has welcomed the news that the historic Oldham Coliseum has been saved.

Jimmy Cricket has welcomed the news that the historic Oldham Coliseum has been saved.

The theatre is due to reopen in time for the 2025 pantomime season following a campaign led by Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhalgh.

It closed last year amid a storm of protest.

Arts Council England withdrew its funding, citing concerns over management.

Meanwhile, Oldham Council – which owns the building – had described it as “no longer fit for purpose”.

There were plans for a new, smaller venue, but a group was set up to save the current building, a well-known landmark.

Famous funnyman Jimmy, who has appeared at the theatre numerous times, was clearly delighted when he heard that the high-profile campaign had been successful.

He said on social media: “What fabulous news today that Oldham Coliseum will reopen!”

Julie Hesmondhalgh commented on X (formerly Twitter): “Absolute moment of people power.

“Thank you to everyone who signed petitions, wrote letters, carried banners, never gave up.

“And thanks to those who listened and acted!”

Actor Les Dennis was among those who celebrated Monday’s news with a street party outside the venue.

Past greats who graced the theatre included Charlie Chaplin, Dame Thora Hird and Oldham-born Eric Sykes.

Also read: Stars come out for Francis House returns to Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Katie Mulgrew on how she used to heckle Ken Dodd! 150 150 mhamer

Katie Mulgrew on how she used to heckle Ken Dodd!

Katie Mulgrew, stand-up comedian and Jimmy Cricket's daughter, has been chatting about what it was like growing up with a famous father.

Katie Mulgrew, stand-up comedian and Jimmy Cricket’s daughter, has been chatting about what it was like growing up with a famous father.

Also a playwright and actor, Katie was talking to podcast presenter Richard Herring at the Lowry Theatre.

The last time Richard was at the Salford venue, several years ago, he interviewed Jimmy, along with another comedian, Sarah Millican.

In her conversation earlier this week, Katie talked – among many things – about the horrors of birth, and partying with comedy double act Little and Large and the dance troup Roly Polys.

She also recalls how she used to heckle famous funnyman Ken Dodd, a good friend of her dad’s!

RHLSTP is an award-winning series in which Richard talks to some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment.

They have included Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard, Dawn French, David Mitchell, Katherine Ryan and Brian Blessed.

After Wednesday’s show, Richard posted on social media: “RHLSTP with the fabulous Katie Mulgrew…

” …with some amazing stories including this one about growing up with a famous comedian dad!

[Listen to a short clip from the programme here].

“… coming back to the Lowry soon and loads of other places! richardherring.com/ballback/tour.”

The full hour-long show is here.

Katie has appeared on Coronation Street and is also an award-winning writer.

Also read: Katie Mulgrew appears in Coronation Street shows

 

What a celebration as we paid our respects to the great Mo 150 150 mhamer

What a celebration as we paid our respects to the great Mo

What a celebration this morning as we paid our respects to the great performer/comedian/dancer/singer, Maureen Moreland aka Mo from the Roly Poly’s our thanks to family friends of Mo, Tracey, Sam and Charlotte Dawson who helped us give her a great send off! ♥️xx

Jimmy Cricket was among those to pay their respects to the “great” Mo Moreland at her funeral in Lancashire.

Entertainer Mo, originally from Sheffield, died in December after a long illness at a nursing home on the Fylde coast.

The service took place at Lytham Park Cemetery & Crematorium in Lytham St Annes on Thursday morning (18 January).

So saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton, I had the great pleasure working with her and the rest of the girls, they were such fun to be with backstage. So glad she found happiness with the great comedian Jack Diamond as they settled in Southport

Jimmy said afterwards: “What a celebration this morning as we paid our respects to the great performer/comedian/dancer/singer Maureen Moreland, aka Mo, from the Roly Polys.

“Our thanks to family friends of Mo, Tracey, Sam and Charlotte Dawson who helped us give her a great send off! ♥️xx.”

Mo was best known as the lead dancer in comedy dance troupe the Roly Polys, devised by late comedian Les Dawson.

Their success took them across the world to perform, including travelling to France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Italy and Japan in their 20-year career.

Jimmy Cricket, who featured on performance bills with Mo and The Roly Polys, described her as a "great comic, singer and dancer"

They were especially popular with German audiences and visited the country on numerous occasions.

Mo also appeared in Coronation Street, as well as on the Little and Large Show, and Super Gran.

Northern Irish comic Jimmy had first met her when she was one half of the Mighty Atom and Roy act, in which she teamed up with her husband.

Mo was born Maureen McCluskey in 1936 and married singer Roy in 1959. He died in 2001.

She first performed on stage aged three and attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

At just 4ft 11in tall, she performed as The Mighty Atom and was a skilled dancer, particularly at tap.

Also read from this website: ‘Saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton’

 

Roy Hudd: One of the great performers, writers and comics 150 150 mhamer

Roy Hudd: One of the great performers, writers and comics

Hi folks! Here is my tribute to Roy Hudd, one of the great performers/writer/comic of our generation who is sadly missed by everyone who had the great pleasure of knowing him, here is a link if you would like to donate and help the statue appeal 🎭https://theroyhuddstatueappeal.co.uk/donations

The late Roy Hudd OBE was “one of the country’s best-loved entertainers”, Jimmy Cricket says in his latest newspaper column.

Writing in the Lancashire Post, Jimmy recalls that he first saw Roy performing on TV in the 1960s.

And then the two met in the 1980s after which they became long-lasting friends.

Roy, an actor, comedian radio host, author and authority on the history of music hall entertainment, died in 2020 at the age of 83 after a short illness.

Coronation Street

His widow Debbie heads up the Roy Hudd Statue Appeal, which is raising funds for a lasting monument to him.

Roy earned praise for his roles in Dennis Potter’s Lipstick on your Collar and Karaoke in the 1990s.

The Croydon-born all-round entertainer appeared in Coronation Street as Archie Shuttleworth on and off between 2002 and 2010.

He also starred in acclaimed crime drama Ashes to Ashes. Other TV credits included Broadchurch, Benidorm and Casualty.

Roy hosted BBC Radio 2’s The News Huddlines for 26 years.

Jimmy posted about the newspaper column on social media.

He said: “Hi folks! Here is my tribute to one of the great performers/writers/comics of our generation, who is sadly missed by everyone who had the great pleasure of knowing him.

“Here is a link if you would like to donate and help with Roy and @DebHudd statue appeal theroyhuddstatueappeal.co.uk/donations.”

In his column, Jimmy says: “Roy and I shared so much in common.

“We’d both been Butlin’s Redcoats and we both loved twice-nightly variety, which we were both lucky to see as kids.”

Lyndene return

Jimmy begins his EIGHTH season at the popular Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool on Wednesday (5 July).

He will also be returning on 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November and 6 December.
Autobiography
A reminder that Jimmy’s autobiography, Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian, is available at online retailer Amazon here.

The paperback costs £11.99.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

What Roy Hudd said about Jimmy Cricket

Duggie Brown: Wonderful farewell from showbiz colleagues 150 150 mhamer

Duggie Brown: Wonderful farewell from showbiz colleagues

What a wonderful showbiz send off for a great comic/actor/dame today with many fellow comics and those from the entertainment show business world who knew and loved Duggie Brown, our thoughts and condolences our with his beloved wife, Jackie and family members! R.I.P. 🎭

The late Duggie Brown was given a “wonderful showbiz send off” by many fellow comedians and showbusiness colleagues.

Well-known actor Duggie died at the age of 82 last month.

The crematorium service took place at Barnby Moor Memorial Park and Crematorium in Retford, Nottinghamshire, on Monday 5 September.

Afterwards, fellow entertainer Jimmy Cricket said: “What a wonderful showbiz send off for a great comic/actor/dame today with many fellow comics and those from the entertainment show business world who knew and loved Duggie.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his beloved wife, Jackie, and family members. R.I.P.”

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, Jimmy had described  Duggie as “ever the consummate professional”.

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 had 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: Duggie Brown: Consummate professional will be missed by all

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

Don Crann: A fine comedy actor and a joy to be with 150 150 mhamer

Don Crann: A fine comedy actor and a joy to be with

Paying tribute to my friend Don Crann who sadly has passed away today, I first met Don when we worked together as Redcoats at the Metropole in Blackpool he was a fine comedy actor who starred in, the hit TV sitcom, “The Gaffer”, a joy to be with, our thoughts are with his family.

Jimmy Cricket has paid tribute to his late friend, actor Don Crann.

Don appeared in a host of top TV programmes, including Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Jimmy said: “I first met Don when we worked together as Redcoats at the Metropole in Blackpool.

“He was a fine comedy actor who starred in the hit TV sitcom The Gaffer.

“And he was a joy to be with. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Don was also a regular in Heartbeat, as well as starring in countless plays and musicals.

He played Mike Baldwin’s business contact Trevor Hargreaves in Coronation Street.

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