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‘The good old days’… ‘love this’… ‘complete legends’ 150 150 mhamer

‘The good old days’… ‘love this’… ‘complete legends’

A photograph featuring several comedy legends, including Jimmy Cricket, attracted plenty of interest on social media.

The picture, taken on the Central Pier at Blackpool, also includes The Krankies, Frank Carson, Paul Daniels and double act (Tommy) Cannon and (Bobby) Ball.

Hundreds of people liked the Facebook post, which got a lot of comments.

It was posted by Marky Ashworth and could be seen on The Official Cannon & Ball Facebook Group page.

Here are a selection of the many comments made about this gathering of famous entertainers.

“Great summer line up.”

“Back in the days of real comics.”

“The good old days!”

“When you could go on holiday around the country and see three or four shows in a week at seaside piers/theatres.”

“Bet that was a good night out!”
“What a great photo.”
“Love this!”
“My childhood growing up.”
“A gaggle of legends.”
“What a great group.”
“Complete Legends.”
“Wow all LEGENDS.”
“That’s a great picture, very funny and talented people.”
Autobiography
Don’t forget that Jimmy Cricket’s autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is priced at £11.99 as a paperback.

It is also available as an ebook priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free).

Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

Jimmy has said he is happy to sign copies of the book at his live shows, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

Mary’s Meals

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

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: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

Frank Carson: Memories of a cracking comedian 150 150 mhamer

Frank Carson: Memories of a cracking comedian

Jimmy Cricket's tribute to the late Frank Carson

The late, great Frank Carson is the subject of Jimmy Cricket’s latest newspaper column.

Like fellow comedian and great friend Jimmy, Frank was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, died aged 85 in 2012.

Comedian Frank Carson

He had battled ill health for some time.

Frank was a regular face on television for many years from the 1970s onwards.

Having risen to prominence in the 60s after winning Opportunity Knocks, he appeared in popular TV series such as The Comedians and Tiswas.

One of his trademark lines was “It’s the way I tell them!”.

Another one was “It’s a Cracker!”.

Jimmy’s column relives Frank’s famous career and their great friendship.

He posted a grab of the newspaper piece on social media.

And he told his friends and followers: “Hi Folks! My tribute via @leponline and @The_Gazette to a much-loved comedian and friend whom we all sadly miss! #keepvarietyalive.”

Also read: Memorial concert to Frank Carson

 

Facebook & Twitter profile photos show celebrities 150 150 mhamer

Facebook & Twitter profile photos show celebrities

Jimmy Cricket has changed his Facebook and Twitter profile pictures

The Facebook and Twitter profile pictures for Jimmy Cricket now show him with a host of fellow celebrities and friends.

The Northern Irish comedian has put the same image on both social media platforms.

The Krankies, plus the late entertainers Paul Daniels and Frank Carson, are among those on the photo.

Additionally, Tommy Cannon and his late comedy partner Bobby Ball feature on the picture.

Reaction to the new image has been very positive.
Gary Wilson said: “Wow my childhood in one photo! What an amazing lineup.”
And Rod Barry commented: “That’s a proper variety line up!
Paul Naylor described it as a “great picture”, adding that it was “variety at its best”.
Meanwhile, Michelle Carrots Campbell said: “Fabulous image of true talent. So many no longer with us…”
Jimmy has nearly 5,000 friends on Facebook, while his Twitter account has more than 9,000 followers.
The popular funnyman has just marked 12 years with a Twitter account.
He has been a Facebook member for a similar length of time.

Also read: Paying tribute to Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy

Blackpool big night out

 

Charlie Williams – one of the funniest men to grace a stage 150 150 mhamer

Charlie Williams – one of the funniest men to grace a stage

Hi folks! Paying tribute here to one of the funniest men that ever graced a stage, my friend the great Charlie Williams! #keepvarietyalive

Jimmy Cricket fondly remembered multi-talented trailblazer Charlie Williams in his latest newspaper column.

Writing in the Blackpool Gazette on Tuesday 24 May, Jimmy said Charlie had broken down racial barriers and had successful careers as both a comedian and a professional footballer.

Charlie was born in Yorkshire of Jamaican descent and was the first black comedian to make the big time on British TV.

He found fame on hit 1970s TV show The Comedians and developed the comedy catchphrase “me old flower”.

Others he appeared with on Granada’s The Comedians included Frank Carson, Tom O’Connor and Jim Bowen.

He went on to host the Golden Shot game show.

Previously, he had played professional football for Doncaster Rovers.

Charlie was awarded an MBE in 1966 for his charity work.

He died in 2006 at the age of 78, having been ill for some time with Parkinson’s and dementia.

Jimmy introduced his latest newspaper column on social media by describing his friend Charlie as “one of the funniest men that ever graced a stage”.

His column began: “I’ve been working on an autobiography dear read­er, but who hasn’t during the lockdowns, when we’ve had so much time on our hands?

“I think the trick is to revisit it now that things are back to normal.

Ronald Reagan’s 80 chapters

“To keep fired up, Mrs Cricket bought me a few autobiographies I expressed an interest in.

“The first one was Michael McIntyre and when I got to the end I said to her: ‘Look, Michael’s finished his life story at 23 chapters, I’m up to 29 chapters and I’ve still got a way to go.’

“She said: ‘I know, but he’s in his forties, you’re 76!’

“Ouch!

“I then opened Ronald Reagan’s autobiography: ‘Look!’ I said. “It took Ronnie 80 chapters to finish his.’

“‘Yes’, she said. ‘But he had two jobs. First, he was an actor, and then he became President of the United States!’

Won the nation’s hearts

“You know that got me thinking.

“It’s taking me all my time to make a living out of being a full-time comedian, so I’m in awe of anyone who can climb the lad­der in one job and then go into a totally different occupation and become a resounding success in that one as well.

“Older readers will remember a black comedian, Charlie Williams, who won the nation’s hearts when he came on the television programme The Comedians.

“Charlie’s wonderful Yorkshire accent endeared him to millions of fans.

“In fact, he was breaking down racial barriers way before the woke people came on the scene.

“However, I wonder how many people actually knew that Charlie had an illustrious career as a professional footballer, playing centre-half for Doncas­ter Rovers.

“As soon as Charlie reached retirement, a career in showbiz beckoned and he moved seamlessly from kicking a ball to holding a mic.

“Sadly, he developed Par­kinson’s Disease, but trouper that he was with the help of his friend Neil Crossland, he carried on touring.

“Neil helped him to dress, led him onstage and Charlie did his act sitting on a chair.

“I have a happy memory of them both coming over to my house in Rochdale, and we all swapped showbiz stories over lunch.”

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

Mary’s Meals: Charity marks memorable milestone 150 150 mhamer

Mary’s Meals: Charity marks memorable milestone

My thanks to #FrFrankieMulgrew and all the Team Members here at headquarters for the invite to Mary's Meals here in the great City of Glasgow for the celebrations of reaching the monumental figure of now providing meals for over 2million children in over 19 countries around the world! #pleasehelpifyoucanJimmy Cricket helped charity Mary’s Meals celebrate passing the great milestone of providing food for two million children.

The famous comedian was in Glasgow earlier this week for the special event.

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

Jimmy’s comedian-turned-priest son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, is a long-standing supporter of Mary’s Meals.

Jimmy said on social media: “My thanks to #FrFrankieMulgrew and all the Team Members here at headquarters for the invite to #MarysMeals here in the great City of Glasgow…

“… for the celebrations of reaching the monumental figure of now providing meals for over 2million children in over 19 countries around the world! #pleasehelpifyoucan”

Fr Frankie has previously written two books, with the proceeds from both going to Mary’s Meals.

He compiled and edited Does God LOL? (LOL is internet slang for Laugh Out Loud), published in 2013.

Sir Ken Dodd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tim Vine and the late Frank Carson were among the famous showbiz names to contribute to the book.

God’s love and power

Fr Frankie also compiled and edited Miracles R Us: Supernatural Miracles In The Catholic Church.

A summary of the book, published three years ago, asks: “Do miracles really happen? Are there miracles in the 21st century just as there were during the life of Jesus?

“This book proves that God’s love and power to traFr Frankie Mulgrew leaves church after saying his first Mass as a Catholic priestnsform hearts and lives is as real today as it was in the time of Jesus.”

It includes a contribution from Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Fr Frankie (right) was a professional comedian like his dad before being ordained in 2013.

The Salford-based Roman Catholic priest had the stage name of Frankie Doodle as an entertainer.

Also read: Packed show is a family affair for Mary’s Meals fundraiser

 

Picture posted in honour of those lost to Covid 150 150 mhamer

Picture posted in honour of those lost to Covid

The profile picture was in honour of those lost to Covid-19

Jimmy Cricket updated his profile picture on social media to remember those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

The famous comedian uploaded a photograph of him alongside several other well-known celebrities.

They included the late Frank Carson and also fellow funnyman Bobby Ball, who died in October aged 76.

Bobby, one half of the popular comedy double act Cannon and Ball, passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The actor and comedian had tested positive for Covid-19.

Bobby starred in several popular sitcoms.

They included Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

Jimmy posted the photo on Tuesday 23 March, which marked exactly one year since the first coronavirus lockdown.

Tommy Cannon and Wee Jimmy Frankie also featured on the picture.

The text on the photo said: “In honour of those lost to Covid-19” and “UK national day of reflection.”

A national minute’s silence was held at midday, which parliaments across the UK paused business to observe.

On 23 March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tough restrictions on people’s lives aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Since then, the UK’s official death toll has risen from 364 to more than 126,000.

Also read: Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him

Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him 150 150 mhamer

Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him

Shocked and saddened to hear about my friend Bobby Ball, an original funny man, he made us laugh and cry, we all loved him. With his partner Tommy, Cannon and Ball were one of the finest Comedy Double Acts to grace our stages! Our thoughts & prayers are with Yvonne and his family!

Jimmy Cricket said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear fellow comedian and friend Bobby Ball had died.

Bobby, one half of the famous comedy double act Cannon and Ball, passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Wednesday aged 76.

The actor and comedian had tested positive for Covid-19.

His long-time friend and colleague Tommy Cannon led the tributes to Bobby, saying: “Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this, I’m devastated.”

Bobby also starred in several popular sitcoms.

They included Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

Jimmy said Bobby – pictured right on the photo above – was “an original funny man”.

He added: “He made us laugh and cry, we all loved him.

“With his partner Tommy, Cannon and Ball were one of the finest Comedy Double Acts to grace our stages!

“Our thoughts & prayers are with Yvonne and his family.”

Bobby was born in Oldham on 28 January 1944.

He met Tommy while working in a factory as a welder.

Cannon and Ball – their real names are Thomas Derbyshire and Robert Harper – began their entertainment careers as comedians on the cabaret circuit in the north of England.

Bobby was famous for twanging his braces on stage and saying: “Rock on, Tommy!”

The other famous entertainers on the photo above – including Jimmy of course – are the Krankies, Frank Carson and Paul Daniels.

Also read: Jimmy inspired to write show after seeing success of fellow comedian Bobby Ball’s first steps into writing for the stage