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COVID-19

Fiffen and Faffen: Listen now to the first two podcasts! 150 150 mhamer

Fiffen and Faffen: Listen now to the first two podcasts!

The second podcast based on Jimmy Cricket's variety comedy double act called Fiffen and Faffen is now available.

The second podcast based on Jimmy Cricket’s variety comedy double act called Fiffen and Faffen is now available.

It is about two men who gave up the world of showbusiness because of all the changes in the work place and in their lives.

They hope to rekindle their dream of going back on stage, to do what they know and love best of all, entertaining people.

The first podcast, published in April, was The Comeback Kids.

And the second is called Don’t let the lockdown get you down!

In the latest podcast, the guys find themselves in lockdown and facing Covid restrictions like everybody else.

We find out in this episode how they make the best of their situation.

Listen to both podcasts here.

No more Fiffing and Faffing was staged for the first time in September 2018 at the Blackburn Empire Theatre.

Jimmy’s first play got a great reception from the audience on its debut.

It also toured northern England in 2019 and early 2020.

Appearing with funnyman Jimmy is Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith.

Colin has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

In the play, Joe Fiffen and Jerry Faffen are performing on their last night in showbusiness in an end of-of-pier show.

Set in the dressing room, (where they settle old scores) and on stage, it is a mixture of drama and variety!

Read more about Fiffen and Faffen on Jimmy’s website here.

Also read: An interview with Jimmy about his stage play (external link).

Covid outbreak in the Cricket household dashes unveiling trip 150 150 mhamer

Covid outbreak in the Cricket household dashes unveiling trip

Just seen this on Facebook folks, how wonderful is this! The unveiling of Eddie’s portrait today! xx

A bout of Covid-19 prevented Jimmy Cricket from attending the unveiling of a portrait of the late Eddie Large in Blackpool.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy tested positive for coronavirus, meaning he could not travel to the famous seaside resort for the event.

He posted the photo below of his positive Covid test on Saturday 2 April – the day of the unveiling.

Jimmy said: “Gutted I won’t be able to attend the unveiling of the portrait today in Blackpool of one of showbiz’s greatest talent, Eddie Large.

“Sending our love to his widow Patsy and son Ryan and the rest of his family and friends who will be there this morning! #WinterGardensBlackpool.”

Eddie was usually the funny guy in the legendary comedy duo of Little and Large.
How wonderful!
Syd Little was the straight man of the two and they went on to be one of the best-loved comedy acts in showbusiness.
They had a TV series and appeared in theatres and pantomimes for many years before their partnership ended when Eddie developed serious health problems.

Eddie, who was born Edward Hugh McGinnis, died aged 78 in April 2020.

He had been suffering with heart failure and contracted coronavirus in hospital.

Family and celebrity friends attended the invitation-only unveiling at the weekend.
The portrait can be seen at The Floral Hall in the Winter Gardens.
It will also be on display at Showtown, Blackpool’s first museum of fun and entertainment.

Jimmy Cricket tested positive for Covid

Jimmy posted the photo at the top of this article on social media on Saturday.

He commented: “Just seen this on Facebook folks, how wonderful is this!

“The unveiling of Eddie’s portrait today!”

Watch video of the unveiling here (note: this is an external website and the video is preceded by an advertisement).

Also read from this website:
Providing an update on his wellbeing, Jimmy said on Sunday: “Hoping to be Covid-free soon.
“Mrs Cricket has been very supportive, although I’m not sure about her medical advice.
“She told me to drink a hot glass of orange after a hot bath…. that was four days ago and I’m still drinking the hot bath!”
Jimmy recalls January jab in latest LEP column 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy recalls January jab in latest LEP column

Hi folks! This is the latest @leponline column about the January morning when I got my first jab @RDaleRiverside by the very jovial @JivaDr (Dr Mo MBE), my thanks to @RochdaleCouncil for organising the vaccine programme so well. #COVID19Vaccines

Jimmy Cricket has been talking about his first vaccination jab against Covid-19 in his latest newspaper column.

The article is in the 12 April edition of the Lancashire Post.

In the column, Jimmy recalls visiting Riverside One in Rochdale, where he lives.

He says: “How things have changed during these lockdowns.

“It used to be that if some­body crossed the road when they saw you coming it was either that they didn’t want to speak to you or they owed you money.

“Now when they do it you shout thanks to them for helping to stop the spread of the virus.

“It’s the same when you meet an old friend in the street.

“Instead of shaking hands, you now do a quick touch of the elbows then step back, have a few quick words and then you’re on your way.

Full vaccinated

“However, as I write this, we’ve all had a very emotional reflection day to mark the fact that the first lockdown happened one year ago, and with the news that they’re not far off vaccinating 1m people a day there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“I myself being a whipper snapper of 75 years of age when I got my first jab here where I live in Rochdale at the Riverside Library.

“Although it was a cold shivery January morning when we all queued up out­side, inside our hearts were leaping for joy at the thought of getting the inoculation that would ultimately pro­vide us with the passport to get back to normality.

“I went public with it and my friend Billy Sherrin, the Rochdale Mayor, arranged to have the Rochdale Council official photographer to take a piccie of me getting my jab.”

Famous funnyman Jimmy has now had both doses of the coronavirus vaccination.

The popular Northern Irish entertainer updated his Facebook profile last month with the graphic below, saying ‘fully vaccinated’.

He has encouraged everybody else to have the vaccination the same when their time comes.

Very small numbers of people have been admitted to hospital with Covid several weeks after having one vaccine dose, a study of UK patients shows.

Jimmy Cricket has had his second vaccination jab to protect against Covid

Several months ago, Jimmy devised a perfect little ditty to keep our spirits going during the coronavirus lockdown.

The comedian adapted the words of an old war-time favourite, Roll out the Barrel.

He recorded his very own version for YouTube, called Roll out the Vaccine.

Roll out the Barrell

The UK government has said every adult in the country can have a coronavirus vaccine by autumn this year.

Roll out the Barrel was particularly popular worldwide during World War II.

Sing along to Jimmy’s Roll out the Vaccine song

Fully vaccinated after second coronavirus jab 150 150 mhamer

Fully vaccinated after second coronavirus jab

Jimmy Cricket has had his second vaccination jab to protect against Covid

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has now had both doses of the coronavirus vaccination.

The popular Northern Irish entertainer updated his Facebook profile with the graphic above, saying ‘fully vaccinated’.

Jimmy had received his first vaccination jab to protect against Covid in January, at Number One Riverside in Rochdale, where he lives.

He has encouraged everybody else to do the same when their time comes.

More than 33 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Jimmy Cricket posted after getting his first jab against Covid: My grateful thanks to @RochdaleCouncil and JivaDr Dr Mo MBE and all the nurses and hard working staff this morning @RDaleRiverside for the  vaccine programme that is being rolled out! As Humphrey Bogart said, “Here’s Looking At You Kid”. #COVID19Vaccines

Several months ago, Jimmy devised a perfect little ditty to keep our spirits going during the coronavirus lockdown.

The comedian adapted the words of an old war-time favourite, Roll out the Barrel.

He recorded his very own version for YouTube, called Roll out the Vaccine.

Roll out the Barrell

The UK government has said every adult in the country can have a coronavirus vaccine by autumn this year.

Roll out the Barrel was particularly popular worldwide during World War II.

Sing along to Jimmy’s Roll out the Vaccine song

Welcome Back from the Storm show taking bookings! 150 150 mhamer

Welcome Back from the Storm show taking bookings!

Welcome back from the storm

Jimmy Cricket is now taking bookings for his music and laughter show, entitled Welcome Back from the Storm.

The popular Northern Irish comedian hopes the current vaccination programme means live performances will be back on the cards sooner rather than later.

Jimmy will offer his usual unoffensive brand of comedy, with wife May Marion (her stage name) providing the perfect music accompaniment with her singing.

His message to all theatre managers is that Welcome Back from the Storm is now taking bookings for 2021/22.

He tells them: “Just ring us on 01706 353545 or 01706 412552.”

Theatres and other entertainment venues have had to close for most of the time during the past 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, more than 15 million people in the UK have now had their first coronavirus vaccine.

It has lifted hopes that some or many of the current restrictions will be lifted by Easter.

***************************

A while ago, Jimmy came up with a perfect ditty to keep our spirits going during the latest lockdown.

The famous funnyman adapted the words of an old war-time favourite, Roll out the Barrel.

And he recorded his very own version on YouTube, called Roll out the Vaccine, which can be heard here.

It’s in reference to the roll-out of the various vaccines designed to protect people against coronavirus.

The UK government says every adult in the country will get the offer of a coronavirus vaccine by autumn this year.

Roll out the Barrel was particularly popular worldwide during World War II.

According to Wikipedia, Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda composed the music in 1927.

It is also known as Beer Barrel Polka and The Barrel Polka.

Wikipedia said many others recorded and played the song.

They included The Andrews Sisters in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Bobby Vinton and Billie Holiday.

It added: “During World War II, versions in many other languages were created and the song was popular among soldiers, regardless of their allegiances.

“The authors of the English lyrics were Lew Brown and Wladimir Timm.”

So, folks, Jimmy and May want us all to call up his vaccine version now and have a good old sing-along to it!

Jimmy’s Roll out the Vaccine song

Please donate for Christie fundraiser Lee if you can 150 150 mhamer

Please donate for Christie fundraiser Lee if you can

Lee Martin is planning to run the Manchester Marathon in October in aid of The Christie.Jimmy Cricket has highlighted a friend’s intentions to run a marathon to raise money for The Christie charity in Manchester.

The Christie charity helps to provide enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds.

Donations and fundraising make a huge difference to the care and treatment it is able to provide to cancer patients and their families.

Read more about The Christie here

Lee Martin is planning to run the Manchester Marathon in October in aid of the cancer charity.

He hopes to raise at least £1,000.

Said Lee: “I’m running just over 26 miles in the land of Oasis and Vimto to raise money for The Christie.

“This amazing place is run by a bunch of superheros that put others before themselves as a matter of routine.

“And in the Covid-19 Pandemic that has gone to horrific levels.”

Lee said his dad had been battling cancer for almost 20 years.

“He’s not done that without an army of people behind him from the Christie,” he added.

“Without them, we would have lost him a long time ago. So I want to give something back, as small as this is.

“Please help me help them in anyway you can, however small.

“I am very aware this is a terrible time to ask for money, so do not worry if you are not able.

“But if you can, know that you’ll be supporting the incredible people doing incredible things on a daily basis.”

Lee’s JustGiving page added: “Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.

“Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails.

“Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity.

“So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.”

You can donate here

Famous entertainer Jimmy said: “My friend Lee Martin is fundraising for Christie’s as his Dad is currently undergoing treatment in these difficult times.

“Check out their @JustGiving page and please donate if you can. Thank you! #JustGiving.”

 

 

Sing along to Jimmy’s ‘Roll out the Vaccine’ song! 150 150 mhamer

Sing along to Jimmy’s ‘Roll out the Vaccine’ song!

Sing along to Jimmy's 'Roll out the Vaccine' song!We all love a good old sing-song to cheer us up, especially during the darkest days.

And Jimmy Cricket has come up with a perfect ditty to keep our spirits going during the latest lockdown.

The ever-popular Northern Irish comedian has adapted the words of an old war-time favourite, Roll out the Barrel.

He recorded his very own version on YouTube, called Roll out the Vaccine, which can be heard here.

It is in reference to the roll-out of the various vaccines designed to protect people against coronavirus.

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip received the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday.

The UK government says every adult in the country will get the offer of a coronavirus vaccine by autumn this year.

Roll out the Barrel was particularly popular worldwide during World War II.

According to Wikipedia, Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda composed the music in 1927.

It is also known as Beer Barrel Polka and The Barrel Polka.

Wikipedia said many others recorded and played the song.

They included The Andrews Sisters in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Bobby Vinton and Billie Holiday.

It added: “During World War II, versions in many other languages were created and the song was popular among soldiers, regardless of their allegiances.

“The authors of the English lyrics were Lew Brown and Wladimir Timm.”

So, folks, Jimmy and his wife May want us all to call up his vaccine version now and have a good old sing-along to it!

Also read: Regular Twitter jokes told on video during coronavirus lockdown

Regular Twitter jokes told on video during coronavirus pandemic