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Appearing in Rochdale AFC’s fanzine 150 150 mhamer

Appearing in Rochdale AFC’s fanzine
Rochdale FC fanzine showing comedian Jimmy Cricket alongside the then manager Dave Sutton

Rochdale FC fanzine showing Jimmy Cricket alongside then manager Dave Sutton

Jimmy Cricket was reminded recently of the day he featured on the front page of the Rochdale Football Club fanzine.

It was in April 1997 when the famous Irish comedian appeared in a photograph alongside the then Rochdale FC manager Dave Sutton.

Jimmy has been a resident of the town of Rochdale for nearly 40 years and, like any other football fan, he has from time to time kept an eye on how his local team have been getting on.

This interest extended to him helping them out with a few initiatives back in the 1990s when the then commercial director – a charismatic man called Les Duckworth – was involved with the club  – and he and Jimmy got on really well.

Les’s dad had a music hall connection and Les was passionate about live theatre, which meant he and Jimmy has a lot in common.

As a result of this, Jimmy popped down to Rochdale to help Les out with the occasional fundraiser and presentation, and other initiatives at the club.

This even went as far Jimmy trying to record a comedy football song with the team though it did not go too well as the players’ collective singing ability was not as good as their performances on the pitch!

Jimmy also arranged a comedy five-a-side football match to take place during the half-time interval at one of the midweek matches.

When Les left the club, Jimmy’s association fell away, though he insists: “I was thrilled to see Rochdale at last get to Wembley a few ago when they reached the League Two play-off final.

“I hope that under Rochdale’s current manager, John Coleman, they have a successful season and bounce straight back into League One after last season’s relegation.”

Jimmy’s thanks go to Dale fan Chris Rodgers for sending in a copy of the front cover of the fanzine which is featured above

Headlining St Patrick’s Day show 150 150 mhamer

Headlining St Patrick’s Day show
Jimmy Cricket is featured in the Mill Rythe Holiday Village internal newspaper called The Guest

Jimmy Cricket is featured in the Mill Rythe Holiday Village internal newspaper called The Guest

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket already knows where he will be on St Patrick’s Day next year.

The famous funnyman appeared at the Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Hayling Island near Portsmouth in Hampshire recently – and was immediately invited back.

He will perform over the weekend marking the 2013 St Pat’s celebrations at the holiday village, having been asked to headline the main show on 17 March itself!

Jimmy had a great reception for his recent show and was full of praise for Jack – the centre’s entertainments manager who provided great assistance to the comedian during his visit.

Mill Rythe used to be part of the Warner classic holiday villages network, but is now owned by the Away Resorts Company. They also own two other holiday centres  – at Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight and Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire.

Motorbike made out of balloons 150 150 mhamer

Motorbike made out of balloons
Jimmy with Fred and Connie alongside an amazing motorbike made especially for this celebration out of modelling balloons!

Jimmy Cricket with Fred and Connie Van Buren – and that amazing motorbike made of modelling balloons

A motorbike made out of modelling balloons was one of the highlights when comedian Jimmy Cricket helped to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of his friends.

Jimmy Cricket with Connie, Fred's wife

Jimmy Cricket with Connie, Fred’s wife

Magician Fred Van Buren’s party was held in the village of Silverdale in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Fred is now retired but his son, Andy, who has inherited the family penchant for magic, is following in his dad’s footsteps and is one of a few performers still skilled in the art of plate spinning.

Andy has been described as “one of the biggest names in British illusionists for many a decade”.

A multi-talented & skilled performer, he is one of the most experienced performers within the speciality act, shows & entertainment showbusiness today. He a gold star performing member of the Inner Magic Circle and a member of the prestigious showbusiness organisation, the Grand Order of Water Rats.

Fred and Connie get ready to cut the birthday cake

Fred cuts the cake

Jimmy has worked with Andy on many occasions – including in a pantomime at the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield – and the friendship has even involved Fred and Andy storing some of Jimmy’s props in their crammed warehouse which is full of tricks and props – including Jimmy’s gigantic Mexican hats!

This is because Jimmy tried to recreate for a stage show one of the sketches from his TV series called And There’s More on YouTube. This sketch involved large Mexican hats, but Jimmy did not have room for them, so  the Van Burens stepped in to help out and house them for him.

Jimmy says a big thank-you to magician Geoff Rushworth and Andrew Sherratt for supplying these superb photographs of a truly tremendous occasion!

Bike made out of balloons

Action group hosts laughter show 150 150 mhamer

Action group hosts laughter show

The Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show posterAttention all those in the Bristol area – Jimmy Cricket is appearing at a venue near you!

Stanton Wick Action Group is  presenting the Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show at the Pensford Memorial Hall in Pensford – just south of Bristol – on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 December.

All profits raised will go towards the action group. If you wish to read more about their objectives, visit here.

The show not only features the hilarious comedy of Jimmy, but also includes the female vocalist May Marion and Musicians in Black.

Tickets are priced at £15 and available from Jennie Jones on 0791 7618954 or from Pensford Post Office.

Jimmy said: “This will be a great way to mark the start of the festive season. Tickets are selling quickly, so don’t delay and support this event which has been organised by volunteers with the aim of helping the local community!”

Journey into the archives 150 150 mhamer

Journey into the archives
Jimmy Cricket performs in the 1985 Royal Variety Performance show

Jimmy Cricket in 1985

Got any old videos or photos of your favourite entertainer?

If you have still pictures or moving footage from down the years of famous Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket – like the Royal Variety Performance clip on the homepage of this website – then we would love to hear from you.

This video from 1985 was sent in by one of Jimmy’s fans and if anybody out there wants to send anything from the archives, then it will also be put online.

The Royal Variety Performance – also known as the Royal Command Performance – is a gala evening held annually in the UK and attended by senior members of the Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch.

Performances showcase a variety of family entertainment, including comedy, dance, singing, magic and other acts, with many of the performers and hosts being popular celebrities.

It is organised on behalf of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, of which Elizabeth II is patron, with all proceeds donated to the fund.

  • Please email any archive material to jimmy@jimmycricket.co.uk
Christmas comes early with special offer 150 150 mhamer

Christmas comes early with special offer
Jimmy Cricket's Pull Your Seats Forward DVD

Jimmy Cricket’s Pull Your Seats Forward DVD which was filmed in Bacup, Lancashire

There are (only) 65 days to Christmas and here is a special offer to start the countdown to the great occasion.

Buy Jimmy Cricket’s DVD Pull Your Seats Forward and you will also receive a free CD of your choice – all for £12 with postage and package included.

The DVD was filmed by Jimmy’s small company, Wellie Boot Productions, a couple of years ago at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, Lancashire, near his adopted home of Rochdale in Greater Manchester.

Belfast-born Jimmy produced it in response to the overwhelming public clamour that suggested there was a real demand for a recording of his stand-up.

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.

The DVD is the best in family entertainment and a masterclass in comedy – more than 3,000 copies have already been sold.

Ideal present

This “DVCD” Christmas bundle is great value for money and not available in usual retail outlets.

The only way you can grab this fabulous deal is via this website – click onto Go Shopping page where you will find a purchasing option through Paypal. All orders are processed within 24 hours and we hope to ship out the product to be with you within one week.

When ordering just opt for a DVD purchase in the usual way, but please state during the ordering process which CD you would like to receive free of charge as part of this Christmas bundle.

You can choose from the following CDs: Best of Jimmy Cricket, Jimmy Cricket – I’m Dreaming Of A Far Off Land, Jimmy Cricket – A Bee in His Bonnet.

This DVD will make an ideal Christmas present and if you want a special message signed personally by Jimmy and inserted into the sleeve of the DVD, please send in this request when you order and this will be done at no extra charge.

Get ordering now folks!

Thanks – and have a meal on me! 150 150 mhamer

Thanks – and have a meal on me!

 

The technical crew used Jimmy's money to go to an Italian restaurant

The technical crew used Jimmy’s money to go to an Italian restaurant

Jimmy Cricket recently completed a five-month summer season in Eastbourne – and thanked the technical crew by treating them to an Italian meal.

On the last night of the show, Sentimental Journey, at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, the famous Irish comedian gave each of the technical staff a tenner as a small token of his appreciation for all their help.

The four, Megan, James, Tim and Jo, went out and spent Jimmy’s financial contribution at an Italian restaurant.

And they sent Jimmy a message of appreciation and said they had all enjoyed working with Jimmy over the summer season.

It read:

Jimmy,

With a hearty thanks from the Royal Hippodrome Crew who enjoyed a splendid post season three-course meal thanks to your generosity.

It’s been a pleasure working with you.

Best regards,

Megan, James, Tim & Jo xx

The crew sent Jimmy photos of them having the meal and he immediately recognised the Italian restaurant as he used to frequent it often over the summer when he was in the resort.