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cricket

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!”

A taste of vintage tequila! 150 150 mhamer

A taste of vintage tequila!
Jimmy performed with the Vintage Corporation Band

Jimmy performed with the Vintage Corporation Band

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with a Kent-based group on a night of great entertainment in Folkestone.

He appeared with the Vintage Corporation Band at the Hawkinge Community centre in a show which proved a big success in front of a large crowd.

The Band are a great 60s and 70s party and function band, and with nine members they certainly produce a great musical sound.

And they were up for doing a musical ensemble with Jimmy who performed a rendition on his saxophone of Tequila with them.

The Vintage Corporation Band have been putting music and comedy nights on around the Kent region.

In the run-up to working with Jimmy, the band had just appeared at a nearby theatre with Tom O’Connor. They are also working with Roy Walker in the lead-up to the Christmas season.

Jimmy hopes to work with the band in 2012 because the evening was such a great success.

Church doubles up as a social centre 150 150 mhamer

Church doubles up as a social centre
Jimmy with Sister Joy, Tony and Fr Peter from the Blessed Cardinal Newman parish in Latchford, Warrington

Jimmy with Sister Joy, Tony and Fr Peter from the Blessed Cardinal Newman parish in Latchford, Warrington

Jimmy Cricket’s fund-raising autumn tour of Roman Catholic parish centres included a church which doubles up as a social club.

In addition to all his other charity work, the Irish comedian raises money for the Francis House Children’s Hospice with Jim Nicholas – who brings his Cliff’s Disco outfit along as support – alongside Jimmy’s wife May Marion, who adds some vocal sparkles.

The tour featured the Blessed Cardinal Newman parish in Latchford, Warrington. The event took place in the main church, which is also the main social centre when partitions are brought in to close off the altar.

It was hugely successful and more than £2,000 was raised.

Special show at the mayor’s request 150 150 mhamer

Special show at the mayor’s request
Jimmy Cricket at the charity show with Northwich Mayor Alison Gerrard and friend

Jimmy Cricket at the charity show with Northwich Mayor Alison Gerrard and friend

Jimmy Cricket has made a special charity appearance in Northwich at the special request of the town’s lady mayor.

Councillor Alison Gerrard asked the famous Irish comedian to appear at the Castle Private Club in Cheshire to help raise money for the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

The DJ on the day was David Cantona Lee whose mother is English and his father is Chinese, prompting Jimmy to joke: “We both are thinking of going into the catering business together – he is opening up a Chinese takeway and next door I am opening up an Irish bring it back!”

Jimmy had appeared at the Brookfield Golf Club near Crewe at the start of the summer and cllr Gerrard was at that show. However, she missed Jimmy’s performance as she accidentally tripped over and fell down some stairs before Jimmy got on stage!

However, after recovering from the accident she was desperate to see Jimmy’s act and so she asked him to perform at her fund-raising event.

Jimmy Cricket and friends – November special 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket and friends – November special

Join famous comedian Jimmy Cricket, his wife May and their good friend, singer Eric Devereaux, for another great night of all-round entertainment on Tuesday, November 1, at St Vincent’s RC Parish Centre, off Caldershaw Road in Norden.

Admission and refreshments (tea, coffee, juice and biscuits) are free, though it is appreciated if you make a contribution to a charity which is chosen on the night. It all starts at 7.30pm.

This will be Jimmy’s last appearance in his local monthly show for 2011 as he is off for panto rehearsals later in November, so he will want to make it a special one!

Jimmy is appearing in the Darlington Civic Theatre’s pantomime at Christmas as Baron Hardup in a version of Cinderella.

Jimmy’s DVD passes another milestone 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s DVD passes another milestone
Jimmy Cricket's DVD "Pull Your Seats Forward - outer-sleeve

Jimmy Cricket's DVD is called "Pull Your Seats Forward

Some news about sales of Jimmy Cricket’s first ever DVD, called “Pull Your Seats Forward”.

Recorded live at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, it has now sold more than 2,000 copies!

It is an hour and 10 minutes long and includes Jimmy’s favourite routines, a phone call and letter from his mammy, his famous “Leaving Home” poem, his sentimental ballad called “I’m Dreaming of a Far off Land” and 20 minutes of extras.

To find out how to buy the DVD, visit the Go Shopping section of this website.

Over £6,000 raised for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

Over £6,000 raised for Francis House


Jimmy and The Krankies

Jimmy and The Krankies

Jimmy Cricket helped to raise more than £6,000 for a Manchester-based charity at a two-night extravaganza.

The famous Irish comedian appeared in the fund-raising “Stars Come Out” show at the Oldham Coliseum on Monday and Tuesday (October 10 and 11), along with husband and wife comedy duo The Krankies and sixties Merseybeat band The Swinging Blue Jeans, of “You’re no Good” and the “Hippy Hippy Shake” fame. The show also featured the Dobcross Youth Band.

An extra night was added after the originally-planned one-day performance was sold out.

Jimmy’s good friend, Jim Nicholas, was the evening’s host and he also co-produced the show. Jim has a disco outfit called “Cliff’s Disco” and as a day job is the chief gardener at the Bishop of Salford’s residence, Wardley Hall.

On the Monday night the comedian Stu Francis came to watch as the Krankies were staying overnight with him in Bolton because they are good friends. He was enlisted to help with the raffle. On the Tuesday night Coronation Street fiesty newcomer Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) assisted with the raffle.

The money from the shows will go to Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based at Didsbury in Manchester. The Hospice cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions and provides a home from home where families can receive professional care, support and friendship.

Jimmy Cricket said: “At the end of each show we were grateful for the director of Francis House – Rev David Ireland (who also happens to be the main reverend for the United Reform Church in central Oldham) to be on hand to personally thank each and every one of the audience for coming along and supporting the event on behalf of the charity.”