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cruise

Easter cruise included special birthday celebration 150 150 mhamer

Easter cruise included special birthday celebration

A thunderstorm and a timely stop-off to celebrate a special birthday helped to make Jimmy Cricket’s Easter cruise a memorable one!

Famous funnyman Jimmy was a celebrity entertainer on the Ambience, the flagship of Ambassador Cruise Line.

His wife, May – a professional singer – accompanied him on the boat, which set sail from London Tilbury on 3 April.

Guernsey, Tobermory on the Isle of Mull and Belfast in Northern Ireland – Jimmy’s place of birth – were among the destinations on the 11-night trip.

It included a ‘Journey through Holy Week’ theme, with Easter services and reflections on board.

Jimmy said: “It was organised by a lifelong friend of ours called Chris Gidney who used to run an organisation called Christians in Entertainment, so it was Christian-themed.

“When we stopped at Belfast, May and I were able to attend a birthday lunch to celebrate her brother Carson’s 80th birthday.

“How convenient was that!?”

He added: “And when we docked in the port of Cherbourg, we were hit by a thunderstorm!”

‘What a star!’

High praise for Jimmy came from one of the passengers called MJ Simpson (pictured below).

Here is MJ’s description of himself on his Twitter profile.

“Writes a bit, acts a bit, doesn’t sing. One book every 20 years or so. Proud owner of the officially second-best handlebar moustache in Britain.”

He posted after the cruise: “The absolute highlight of an @ambassadorcruis packed with great times was seeing and even meeting comedy legend @jimmy__cricket.

“Two hilarious shows and he took time to chat with every fan.

“What a star!”

The absolute highlight of @ambassadorcruis packed with great times was seeing and even meeting comedy legend @jimmy__cricket.

The celebrity entertainers on board included Syd Little, of comedy duo Little and Large fame.

Jimmy posted on social media; “My heartfelt thanks to @ambassadorcruis and to organiser @ChrisGidney1 & Katherine & Tony & Maggie & @RealSidLittle & Sheree alongside @mimilabonqu & Pad, @revcindy1 & Jeff & Rev Ed & Margaret for the joyful Easter Celebrations & fun we had in each other’s company while onboard!”

Find out who else was on the cruise here.

Also read: Little and Large: It was a joy to work with them both

Jimmy’s autobiography!

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is now on sale.

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and career – told in his own words.

The paperback costs £11.99 and is available at online retailer Amazon here.

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

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Autobiography: Buy The Jimmy Cricket Story now!

Tickets are selling fast for Jimmy Cricket’s first play 150 150 mhamer

Tickets are selling fast for Jimmy Cricket’s first play

Tickets for the world premiere of Jimmy Cricket’s first play are selling fast.

No more Fiffing and Faffing will be staged at the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday 16 September at 7.30pm.

Join comedy double act Joe Fiffen and Jerry Faffen on their last night in showbusiness. As well as their classic sketches, they’ll be settling some old scores in the dressing room.

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.

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

Read more about the play and book online here.

Mike Johnson tweeted: "No more Fiffing and Faffing written by and starring @jimmy__cricket with Jonathan Young and Colin Meredith @ThwaitesEmpire - tickets going fast don't miss out book https://blackburnempire.com/event/no-more-fiffing-faffing/ … or phone 01254 685 500."

Jimmy and his wife May have just returned from a European cruise.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy was performing on the Magellan – a ship belonging to Cruise and Maritime Voyages – which sailed along the coasts of France, Portugal and Spain.

Earlier on the cruise, they visited the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, the resting place for the relics of the apostle St James and the finishing point for a popular pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James).

And later they went to the National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) in Lisbon, in which important Portuguese personalities – including Eusébio – are buried. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira is considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

On their return, Jimmy posted on social media (see photo below): “Back on dry land and my thanks to one of the newer Cruise ? Companies for looking after us so well, here with fellow artist onboard Gary with his family!”

Jimmy Cricket tweeted: "Back on dry land and my thanks to one of the newer Cruise ? Companies @CMVoyages for looking after us so well, here with fellow artist onboard Gary with his family!"

Visiting the Portugal tomb of a football legend 150 150 mhamer

Visiting the Portugal tomb of a football legend

Jimmy Cricket has visited the tomb of legendary Portuguese footballer Eusébio.

The veteran comedian was at the National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) in Lisbon, in which important Portuguese personalities – including Eusébio – are buried.

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira is considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

He was known for his speed, technique, athleticism and his ferocious right-footed shot, making him a prolific goalscorer. During his professional career, he scored 733 goals in 745 matches (41 goals in 64 matches for Portugal).

Eusébio helped Portugal to reach third place at the 1966 World Cup held in England, being the top goalscorer of the tournament with nine goals (including four in one match against North Korea).

Jimmy, 72, posted on Twitter (with the photos below): “Here on our travels stumbled across the crypt of one of the greatest footballers who ever graced a football pitch!”

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy is currently working on a cruise ship, which is sailing along the coasts of France, Portugal and Spain.

He and his wife May are on board the Magellan – a sailing vessel belonging to Cruise and Maritime Voyages.

Earlier on the cruise, he visited the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, the resting place for the relics of the apostle St James and the finishing point for a popular pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James).

Jimmy Cricket visited the tomb of legendary Portuguese footballer Eusébio

Visit to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela 150 150 mhamer

Visit to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela

Jimmy Cricket posted some photographs on Twitter

Jimmy Cricket has paid a visit to a special cathedral during a day’s sight-seeing in north-west Spain.

The well-known Northern Irish entertainer is currently working on a cruise ship which is sailing along the coasts of France, Portugal and Spain.

He and his wife May are on board the Magellan – a sailing vessel belonging to Cruise and Maritime Voyages.

Jimmy posted on social media that he had visited the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, the resting place for the relics of the apostle St James and the finishing point for a popular pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James).

The cathedral is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and is an integral part of the world heritage site in Galicia.

Dublin’s great genius wit himself… & Molly Malone! 150 150 mhamer

Dublin’s great genius wit himself… & Molly Malone!

Jimmy Cricket is on performing on the Magellan which visited Dublin

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket is currently working on a cruise ship which is sailing along the coasts of France, Portugal and Spain.

Jimmy, 72 and his wife May are on board the Magellan – a ship belonging to Cruise and Maritime Voyages. It’s a boat he has performed on previously.

The first stop after leaving Liverpool was Ireland and Belfast-born Jimmy posted on social media (see above): “Here at our first port of call, Dublin, where we bumped into the great genius wit himself [Oscar Wilde] and Molly Malone!”

Oscar Wilde, born in Dublin, was an Irish poet in the latter half of the 19th century and became one of London’s most popular playwrights at that time, being especially well-known for his witty portrayal of people and life in general.

As a result of being on the cruise, Jimmy has postponed his next ‘Charity Jam Night’ at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Rochdale by one week until Tuesday 14 August.

Jimmy Cricket is performing on the Magellan cruise ship

‘Successful and highly enjoyable’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Successful and highly enjoyable’

Jimmy Cricket is dockside with (from left):  - Joan, David, Roger, Craig and ColinJimmy Cricket made friends with a former cook for the Queen and an American who performs Elton John tributes during his week’s stay on a cruise ship.

The famous Irish comedian appeared on a leg of a world cruise aboard P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner, between Honolulu in Hawaii and Papeete in Tahiti.

P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner

He performed in two shows over the seven nights he and wife May spent on board, mainly while the ship was at sea.

After leaving the ship, they had an overnight stay on Tahiti, before doing two overnight flights in order to get back to the UK.Papeete in Tahiti

In the picture at the top of this story, Jimmy is dockside with (from left):

– Joan and David Alan who were lecturers onboard and their specialist subject was broadcasting

 – Roger Wright was the first Simba in the London West End version of the Disney musical The Lion King and he also came third in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for someone to play the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar that was broadcast on ITV a couple of years ago

Papeete in Tahiti

 – Craig is an American piano player and vocalist who did an Elton John tribute

 – Colin Fry, who lives in Harrogate, was the Queen’s Cook for five years and was on the Aurora giving talks on this role.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed my short stay on the island. It was a nice and relaxing end to what proved a very successful and highly enjoyable working engagement on board this P&O vessel.”

Jimmy Cricket in Tahiti

 

In McDonald's in Papeete!

In McDonald’s in Papeete!

Crossing the Equator 150 150 mhamer

Crossing the Equator

The ritual involves the captain and the crew of the ship asking for King Neptune’s permission as the ship crosses the EquatorIrish comedian Jimmy Cricket and his wife May witnessed a traditional custom during their time aboard P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner.

They were on a leg of a world cruise between Honolulu in Hawaii and Papeete in Tahiti.

The ritual shown in the photo above involves the captain and the crew of the ship asking for King Neptune’s permission as the ship crosses the Equator.

Aboard P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner

Aboard P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner

Equator-crossing ceremonies, usually featuring King Neptune, are sometimes carried out for passengers’ entertainment on civilian ocean liners and cruise ships. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships.

In the bottom picture, Jimmy is pictured alongside his dining companions which was an eclectic mix! Next to Jimmy’s wife, May, and on the far side are Emile and Gloria from Canada. Next to Jimmy are Peter and Sue from near Wolverhampton.

Jimmy and May flew over to Honolulu and stayed overnight in the resort of Waikiki, before boarding the ship the next day.

He performed in two shows over the seven nights they spent on board, mainly while the ship was at sea. After leaving the ship, they had an overnight stay on Tahiti, before doing two overnight flights in order to get back to the UK.

And after arriving back in their hometown of Rochdale, Jimmy only had one day off before appearing at a comedy festival at Porthill Park Cricket Club in Newcastle-under-Lyme.Jimmy Cricket, wife May and friends aboard the Aurora cruiseliner