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don maclean

Don Maclean: Good things like my old pal are timeless 150 150 mhamer

Don Maclean: Good things like my old pal are timeless

Don Maclean made his latest appearnace at the West Cliff Theatre in August

Jimmy Cricket has paid tribute to his fellow funnyman and great friend Don Maclean who is still going strong at the age of 75.

Don is an English actor and comedian who appeared on the BBC television series Crackerjack with the likes of Michael Aspel in the 1970s.

He has appeared regularly at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea over the years and headlined the summer show there last month.

Jimmy, 73, said: “While a Butlin Redcoat in Clacton in 1967, I went to the West Cliff Theatre to see the summer show. The star comedian was Don Maclean.

“In 2019 the Westcliff is still going strong and guess who the star comedian of their summer show is?.. Don Maclean. Good things are timeless.”

The Clacton and Frinton gazette said on 9 August: “Clacton’s West Cliff Theatre Summer Show has got off to a flying start in its 125th anniversary year.

Golden age of variety

“The theatre’s summer variety is the longest running continuous show in the country and this year the West Cliff pulled out all the stops to celebrate the anniversary, including pulling in variety star Don Maclean to headline.

“The comic, who shot to fame in the BBC’s Crackerjack in the 1970s, was clearly at home on the West Cliff stage, where he first topped the bill in 1967.

“His quick wit and humour are reminiscent of a golden age of variety, but his routines are still laugh out loud funny for all ages.

“Don has been a regular visitor to the West Cliff and he also went down a storm in the fabulous one-off 125 Show celebration earlier this year.”

Don had travelled up for the service from his home in Solihull when Jimmy was invested as a Knight of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great several years ago.

The service took place at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Rochdale in 2016. Don is himself a papal knight.

Story from the archives: Jimmy Cricket is appointed a papal knight

‘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!”

Does God laugh out loud? 150 150 mhamer

Does God laugh out loud?

Does God LOL? Compiled by Frankie Mulgrew, son of Jimmy Cricket The comedian-turned-priest younger son of entertainer Jimmy Cricket has had a book published about God and humour.

Frankie Mulgrew, whose stage name was Frankie Doodle, compiled and edited Does God LOL? (LOL is internet slang for Laugh Out Loud), which went on sale recently.

Fr Frankie Mulgrew leaves church after saying his first Mass as a Catholic priest

Ken Dodd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tim Vine, Jo Brand, Milton Jones and the late Frank Carson are among the famous showbiz names to have contributed to the book, which is priced at £7.99 (and is available at all good bookshops and websites, including Amazon).

The foreword was written by top theologian Tom Wright and there are cartoons from Dave Walker, Simone Lia, Mike Kazybrid and Robert Duncan.

All proceeds from sales of the book will go towards the charity Mary’s Meals, an organisation which supports school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Fr Frankie (above right), who was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at Salford Cathedral last month, dedicated the book to his dad – “for introducing me to one of God’s greatest gifts” – when he celebrated his first Mass, and presented him with a special copy.

Does God LOL? develops a theme around whether the Almighty has a sense of humour, with an impressive array of well-known comedians, actors and performers – including Jimmy Cricket as well of course – all giving it some serious thought.

The book is published by Darton, Longman & Todd.

* Does God LOL? is clearly in demand: The popular Amazon website reported on 4 August that it had “only nine [copies] left in stock (more on the way)”, though there appears to be good availability again now (as of 11 August) – and it is currently available at just £5.99.