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coronation street

No more Fiffing and Faffing – the poster 150 150 mhamer

No more Fiffing and Faffing – the poster

Jimmy Cricket's new play is called No more Fiffen and Faffen

Here’s the poster publicising Jimmy Cricket’s forthcoming play, No more Fiffing and Faffing.

It will be staged for the first time at the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday 16 September at 7.30pm.

Appearing with famous comedian Jimmy will be Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

Read more about the play and book online here.

Tickets cost £10. You can also book by telephoning 01254 685 500. The theatre’s email address is boxoffice@blackburnempire.com

Jimmy, 72, has previously written three musicals, Let’s Hear It For The Wee Man, Maloney’s Big Moment and Give Me One Good Season.

Katie Mulgrew appears in Coronation Street shows 150 150 mhamer

Katie Mulgrew appears in Coronation Street shows

Katie Mulgrew has been appearing in Coronation Street

Katie Mulgrew, stand-up comedian and Jimmy Cricket’s daughter, has been appearing in Coronation Street.

Well-known Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy, 72, tweeted (above) that Katie was in Monday’s episodes of the popular soap and will appear on Wednesday as well.

She had a talking part in Monday’s first episode (see 18.38 in a rerun of the show here) and appears again in the second one.

Katie, from Rochdale, is also a writer and was recently one of three winners of the Northern Writers Award run by Kudos North, the Manchester-based production arm of Kudos.

Dana, Ken Morley and the late Frank Carson feature in nostalgic Twitter post 150 150 mhamer

Dana, Ken Morley and the late Frank Carson feature in nostalgic Twitter post

One of the photos included Jimmy Cricket and Frank Carson

Jimmy Cricket and the late Frank Carson were among several celebrities featured in a social media post recently.

The message on Twitter included several photographs and said: “When visited Ross’s Court, Belfast, 25 yrs ago, with Frank Carson, Dana, Gerry Anderson, Mary peters and ken Morley (Reg from coronation street).”

Northern Ireland comedy legend Frank Carson passed away in early 2012.

Jimmy Cricket, Dana and the late Frank Carson featured in the Tweet

Liz Dawn: Corrie star had ‘courage and a big heart’ 150 150 mhamer

Liz Dawn: Corrie star had ‘courage and a big heart’

Jimmy Cricket paid tribute in his Lancashire Evening Post column to Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street

Jimmy Cricket has paid a warm tribute to the late Liz Dawn in his  monthly newspaper column.

In the Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy said Liz, who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street for more than 30 years, was “a great actress with a big heart who had the common touch”.

The soap legend died aged 77 in September following a long battle with emphysema, a disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath.

“It was when she landed the role of a factory worker in Coronation Street that Liz came to everyone’s attention,” recalled famous Northern Irish comedian Jimmy, 72.

“Her natural acting ability won the hearts of viewers and her on-screen relationship with Bill Tarmey as the bickering husband and wife Jack and Vera Duckworth captivated the nation.

“She raised incredible amounts of money for such worthy causes as the Manchester Children’s Hospital, the Genesis Appeal, and the Liz Dawn Cancer Appeal, and was awarded the MBE in the 2000 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her extraordinary fund-raising achievements.”

Jimmy said he first met Leeds-born Liz while working on the QE2, adding she was a  “huge hit”, with large audiences attending her ‘An Audience With Show’ where she talked about her life.

“At the height of her success on Corrie, she did a ‘Christmas Special’ from her home, and I played a postman who delivered her Christmas cards,” reminisced Jimmy.

Liz Dawn (who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street) talks to Frankie's friend Liz Creagh after the service. Liz was at both the ordination and the First Mass and Frankie was really thrilled she came to both events

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“However, it was my son who formed a strong friendship with Liz and her husband, Don.

“When our Frank was training for the priesthood, he politely enquired if Liz could put in an appearance at a fund-raising concert which would help to send some young people to Lourdes.

“Without hesitation, Liz not only turned up to that event but became a regular guest artiste at these shows.

“Our Frank, who was a stand-up comedian before he took up his vocation, would introduce Liz and together they would do a hilarious question-and answer-session.

“They both struck up such a rapport that when when Frank was ordained a priest [in 2013], Liz not only turned up at his ordination in Salford Cathedral but at his very first Mass in St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Rochdale [picture above].

“It took great courage and bravery, for by that time emphysema had taken its toll, but there she was… still laughing and joking with her fans after the service and always with her beloved Don pushing her wheelchair.”

Jimmy added: “I was so proud to be at her Requiem Mass at Salford Cathedral where Father Frankie was a concelebrant.

“Liz, you went from rags to riches and gave so much enjoyment and happiness along the way.”

Ex-Corrie actress takes part in Rochdale show 150 150 mhamer

Ex-Corrie actress takes part in Rochdale show

Jimmy Cricket

A former Coronation Street actress was among the performers in a parish centre show hosted by much-loved entertainer Jimmy Cricket.

Sue Devaney (below right) has played various roles on British television, including Debbie Webster in Corrie, Rita Briggs in Jonny Briggs, Liz Harker in Casualty and Jane in Dinnerladies.

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

Sue Devaney

Also on the bill was singer John from J & D Alexander Jewellers in the Greater Manchester town of Rochdale, where Belfast-born Jimmy has lived for many years.

A collection is made for a charitable cause usually decided on the jam night, with the Sudden Community Centre, based on Cheltenham Street in Rochdale, the beneficiary on this occasion.

The centre has been established in the community through various forms since August 1991.

Since its inception, it has helped thousands of local residents empower themselves to a more dignified and fulfilling life through many of the programmes offered there.

Their mission is for local residents to be members of a vibrant and sustainable community who manage and control their future through the improvement of their own living and working environment.

Emphasis is on empowerment through education, enterprise, and lifelong learning and training opportunities for all.

The centre delivers community-based training and support for local residents, particularly those who are hard to reach and face barriers to accessing information, advice and guidance and progression to employment, training and education.

Old pals Jimmy & Keith perform in Salford show 150 150 mhamer

Old pals Jimmy & Keith perform in Salford show

Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket returned to St Sebastian’s Community Centre in Salford to do a show along with his old friend and singer Keith Swift.

Keith SwiftThe centre, which is at Douglas Green, is a community resource managed
by a small group of volunteers, which provides a range of
opportunities and services for local people. A variety of community activities are offered by the centre, including health and fitness, arts and care support groups.

Said Jimmy: “Thanks to Gerry who organised the event and the team of helpers who supplied the buffet and  who worked behind the bar area!”

Keith (left), who is known professionally as Jonathan Swift, is a dynamic vocalist who does a Frank Sinatra tribute act. Visit his website here.

He has performed several shows with Catherine Tyldesley (who plays Eva Price in Coronation Street and is an outstanding singer in herself), including a private party for Mr Manchester United himself, Sir Alex Ferguson, and makes regular appearances on The Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show with the long-time favourite Northern Irish comedian.

‘Amazing audience’ for Royal Hippodrome show 150 150 mhamer

‘Amazing audience’ for Royal Hippodrome show

The British Music Hall Society organised the showThe Royal Hippodrome Theatre in EastbourneJimmy Jimmy Cricket starred in the morning showCricket appeared with a host of fellow entertainers in a show called Day By The Sea at the weekend.

The famous Irish funnyman appeared at the one-day event of comedy, music and song at the Royal Hippodrome theatre in Eastbourne.

Also on the bill was Jimmy’s big pal Don Maclean, an English actor and comedian who appeared on the BBC television series Crackerjack with Michael Aspel, Peter Glaze and Jan Hunt in the 1970s.

Sue Devaney, known for television roles in Coronation Street, Jonny Briggs, Casualty and Dinnerladies as well as being a regular stage performer, and English pop singer, jazz singer and actress Helen Shapiro were also among the entertainers.

The event, which took place last Saturday, was organised by the British Music Hall Society.

Jimmy, 71, said: “Great morning spent with old friends! I was on at 10.50am and the audience was amazing, really ready for a variety show at that time of the morning!”