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Crowning the Carnival Queen 150 150 mhamer

Crowning the Carnival Queen

Jimmy performed at the pier theatre in Cromer

Jimmy Cricket had a dual role when he visited Cromer, a coastal resort in north Norfolk.

In addition to appearing in the theatre on the seaside town’s pier, the Irish comedian was also asked to crown the Carnival Queen!

Jimmy said: “I have always enjoyed visiting Cromer. I really love the theatre which has become a bit of a bastion of the ‘end-of-pier summer season revue’.

“This type of variety format has been maintained in the resort for years. Cromer’s shows have a fine reputation and are not only supported by day trippers, but also by locals from the north Norfolk region.

“With so many resorts not opting to present a summer season family production any more, Cromer continues to buck the national trend.

“This really proves that an audience can be developed for such a show and that people will come back every year to support the theatre.”

Watch a video slideshow on the homepage of this website or at Jimmy’s YouTube channel

Photos here provided by Steve Medler and the remainder on the video slideshow courtesy of Dave Roberts

Jimmy Cricket has a ride in a blue cadillac in Cromer

Jimmy talks to seaside visitors while taking a ride in a blue cadillac in Cromer

A special invitation 150 150 mhamer

A special invitation
Jimmy with Sr Mary, a Palatine sister who has just returned from a mission in Africa

Jimmy with Sr Mary, a Palatine sister who has just returned from a mission in Africa

Jimmy Cricket got a special invitation this week to help the Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Organisers decided to schedule in a special event on one of the nights of the five-day conference at the Paragon Hotel in the Midlands city.

They wanted Jimmy to be part of the celebrations as they thought it would create a special atmosphere.

Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed taking part in the celebration and received a very warm and appreciative reception. I wish the conference a healthy and prosperous time ahead.”

Jimmy with others at the conference

Jimmy and others who were among those at the conference

It’s Showtime! 150 150 mhamer

It’s Showtime!
A train forms the backdrop for all the performers in Sentimental Journey

A train forms the backdrop for all the performers in Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre

A railway station is the nostalgic setting for a variety summer show starring comedian Jimmy Cricket.

The Belfast-born funnyman has since May been appearing in Sentimental Journey to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Entertainers Mike Lee and Barry Moon

Entertainers Mike Lee and Barry Moon

The story goes that a train has broken down at the Royal Hippodrome station  so, while everyone waits for it to be repaired, the station master and “the man from head office” arrange some entertainment to keep people amused.

It transports the audience back to an era when a small company of talented individuals would sing, dance and tell jokes.

For a video slideshow of the performers from the show, visit Jimmy’s homepage here or go to the Wellie Boot channel on YouTube.

The host for the evening is the singer Mike Lee, who plays the train’s inspector, and at the start of the show he bumps into the train’s conductor – none other than the talented impressionist Barry Moon.

Barry Moon sings at the Hippodrome

Barry Moon sings at the Royal Hippodrome

Jimmy Cricket said: “Both Barry and Mike are also the show’s producers and they have done a great job at putting this show together.”

The Showtime Dancers in Sentimental Journey are Nick, Jo, Lauren and Janine.

Also appearing are world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea.

Colin, who starred on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes, has gone on to become one of the most experienced and acclaimed Billy Fury acts in the world. Halfway to Paradise was one of Fury’s best-known songs.

Tracy Lee and dancers Nick, Jo, Lauren and Janine

Tracy Lee & dancers Nick, Jo, Lauren & Janine

Connie Francis’ greatest hits included Who’s Sorry Now, Lipstick on Your Collar and Stupid Cupid. Tracy also appeared on Stars in Their Eyes, a British television talent show screened on Saturday nights from 21 July 1990 to 23 December 2006 in which contestants impersonated showbiz stars.

Jimmy, Colin and Tracy recently appeared live in Eastbourne on ITV’s breakfast show, Daybreak.

* Performances for Sentimental Journey are at 8.15 each Tuesday and Wednesday night throughout the summer. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

Over 3,000 and still counting 150 150 mhamer

Over 3,000 and still counting

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket is celebrating another milestone with sales of his first live DVD.

Jimmy Cricket Live - Pull Your Seats Forward

More than 3,000 copies of “Jimmy Cricket Live – Pull Your Seats Forward” have now been sold.

The DVD was created by Jimmy’s small company, Wellie Boot Productions, a couple of years ago.

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

It was filmed at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, Lancashire, near Jimmy’s adopted home of Rochdale in Greater Manchester.

The DVD 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.

Jimmy said he was especially pleased about reaching 3,000 based on the fact that the DVD is not available in retail outlets: it can only be bought via the Go Shopping page on this website (where you can purchase all Jimmy’s merchandise) or at one of his live performances.

“I am thrilled I have reached this milestone after such a short selling period,” said Jimmy. “It proves I am filling a gap in the market.

“To reach 3,000 sales is truly a significant achievement to celebrate. This DVD is something I am very proud of.

“I have also had good feedback from those who have purchased it. This always pleases me, as I set out with an aim to create a high-quality comedy product which was suitable for all the family.

“If you have not got your copy, you still have every chance to as I have now just placed an order for another 1,000 copies to replenish my stocks!”

Article recalls Olympic show 150 150 mhamer

Article recalls Olympic show
Eastbourne Herald article about Jimmy Cricket on ITV's Daybreak breakfast programme

The article in the Eastbourne Herald newspaper about Jimmy Cricket on ITV's Daybreak breakfast show

A newspaper has reported on Jimmy Cricket’s live appearance earlier this month on ITV.

The Irish comedian was interviewed by presenter Gethin Jones on the breakfast show, Daybreak, 10 days ago.

Alongside him were fellow entertainers in Sentimental Journey, the family extravaganza running at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

The programme was celebrating the journey of the Olympic Torch through the town of Eastbourne ahead of London 2012 which officially starts later today.

An article about the occasion, including Jimmy’s appearance, was published in the Eastbourne Herald.

VIDEO: Watch Jimmy with Gethin on Daybreak here.

* Performances for Sentimental Journey are at 8.15 each Tuesday and Wednesday night throughout the summer. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

Getting into the spirit for London 2012 150 150 mhamer

Getting into the spirit for London 2012
The grand finale featured all the show's participants who were representing all the many dance schools

The grand finale featured all the show's participants who were representing the many dance schools

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket got into the Olympic spirit when he compered a dance spectacular celebrating the forthcoming London Games.

The famous funnyman was asked to front up the special show which marked the Olympic Torch coming to Southport ahead of London 2012.

Programme front page for the Olympic dance event

Programme front page

It was staged at the Southport Theatre and organised by the Liverpool-based Allied Dancing Association Limited.

Former Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Elizabeth Peters was a special guest at the event.

The 19 dance schools which took part in the show were: Garswood School of Dance, Vibe Stage Academy, The Stage School, Harlequin Dance Club, Formby School of Dance, Dance Flava, Claire Knight School of Dance, Martins Dance Centre, Excelsior School of Dance, Phoenix School of Dance, Dance Depot, Liverpool Theatre School, Felicia Burns School of Dance, Chriska Stage School, Marshside School of Dance, Southport School of Dance, Crown Dance School, Jade School of Dance and Dance Passion.

Jimmy Cricket on stage

Jimmy on stage

The general secretary of Allied Dancing Association, Carol Parry, invited Jimmy to host the show. They first met last Christmas during Jimmy’s pantomime season at the Civic Theatre in Darlington. Carol’s daughter, Melissa, featured in the Southport Theatre show as a dancer.

Jimmy says: “This was a spectacular show and my hats off to all the organisers of this event for all the hard work they put into it.

“Special praise to one of the principal organisers, Carol Parry, as she was a real driving force behind the show and she worked tirelessly to ensure it was a huge success!”

Photos for this story were taken by Alan at Photos2U

Belfast celebs meet at Olympic event 150 150 mhamer

Belfast celebs meet at Olympic event
Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport. Photos for this story were taken by Alan at Photos2U

Two Belfast celebrities met up in June at an event to mark the year the Olympic Games returned to London.

Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Elizabeth Peters and top comedian Jimmy Cricket were at the Southport Theatre for a special dance show to celebrate the Olympic Torch coming to the Merseyside seaside resort ahead of London 2012.

Jimmy was asked to compere the show which was organised by the Liverpool-based Allied Dancing Association.

The event’s other special guest was Dame Mary Peters who won gold medal in the pentathlon in the 1972 Munich Games. She represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974, winning two pentathlon gold medals, plus a gold and a silver for the shot put.

She was born in Lancashire but lived in Belfast from the age of 11.

Jimmy, who was born in Belfast and has lived in Rochdale for many years, said: “It was a real thrill to meet Mary in Southport as she has been one of the great ambassadors of Northern Ireland over the years.

“Her Olympic triumph in Munich was a tremendous achievement, one which should inspire all our home athletes who are currently getting ready for London 2012.”

London also hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948. The 2012 Games means it will become the first city to have hosted three modern-day Olympics.

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport