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The late, great Paul Melba was one of the finest 150 150 mhamer

The late, great Paul Melba was one of the finest

Sad to hear of the passing of one of showbiz finest comedians and impressionist the great Paul Melba, known for his classy mimicking of the great stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, alongside his acclaimed James Mason voice, amongst others! R.I.P.

Jimmy Cricket described Paul Melba, who has died aged 84, as one of the finest comedians and impressionists in showbusiness.

Paul Melba, whose real name was Francis ‘Frank’ Staunton, passed away on 11 August from heart failure.

The dad-of-three grew up in Huyton on Merseyside and went on to enjoy a  successful career on stage and television.

It included him performing at the Royal Variety Performance and he became friends with some famous celebrities.

He was known for voice impressions of stars such as James Mason, John Wayne, Eric Morecambe, Ken Dodd and Billy Connolly.

Paul also did memorable singing impressions of the likes of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr among many others.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy said on social media: “Sad to hear of the passing of one of showbiz’s finest comedians and impressionists the great Paul Melba.

‘Great entertainer and gentlemen

“Known for his classy mimicking of the great stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, alongside his acclaimed James Mason voice, amongst others! R.I.P.”

Jimmy’s post prompted tributes from others.

They included:

:: Met him once lovely talented man Jimmy will be greatly missed!

:: A great entertainer and gentlemen, RIP

:: Thank you, he will be sorely missed #PaulMelba x
Jimmy found out there was a fund-raising appeal in the wake of Paul’s death.
He said: “We’re living in difficult times folks, but if you can help financially, by donating a little for this worthy cause! Paul’s Melba’s Funeral Expenses.”

Paul’s daughter, Kate Richards, 50, organised the fundraiser, saying: “I am so sad to say that my Father passed away peacefully at his home in Spain on the 10th of August.

“Unfortunately his financial circumstances were not great and he left no will.

‘Dad would have been so overwhelmed’

“I am sorry to say that we are struggling to find the money to cremate my Father and need to raise the funds to do this due to our own personal financial circumstances.

“Anything you can donate would help towards easing the financial responsibility which has been placed solely with me.

“Many thanks for anything you can spare.

The target was £3,000 and Kate posted again several days later.

She said: “Thank you so much for all of your help, Dad would have been so overwhelmed.

“We have reached the goal with further donations from The Royal Variety Charity & The Water Rats charity.”

Also read: Lord Alton’s ‘wonderful tribute’ to John Hume

Blackpool Big Night Out: Relive it on BBC’s iPlayer 150 150 mhamer

Blackpool Big Night Out: Relive it on BBC’s iPlayer

Blackpool Big Night Out in on BBC's iPlayer

Jimmy Cricket and a host of other top entertainers have featured in a special programme about Blackpool – and you can catch it on iPlayer.

The 74-year-old Northern Irish comedian has performed at the popular Lancashire seaside resort many times over the years.

In the BBC documentary, he talks fondly about his feelings for the coastal town.

Blackpool is described as the beating heart of British entertainment.

The Lancashire coastal town launched the careers of Morecambe and Wise, attracted stars as big as Frank Sinatra and is still the spiritual home of the likes of the late Sir Ken Dodd, Cannon and Ball and many more.

Jimmy Cricket is among those interviewed on Blackpool Big Night Out

Jimmy tweeted: “Hi folks, here is a link to the BBC’s nostalgic look at this great seaside resort.”

He says on the programme about Blackpool: “I remember arriving and seeing the trams.

“There were people advertised on the trams, like Cilla Black and Val Doonican.

“And you think, you’ve arrived when you’ve got your name on a tram – this is incredible.

Blackpool Big Night Out on BBC's iPlayer“I remember once doing the south pier and actually saw my name on a tram.

“I thought ‘I must get on here!'”

The programme went out on BBC Two on Monday 27 April 2020 at 9.45pm.

You have just 11 days left (until 27 May) to watch on the BBC iPlayer.

Watch it here

Jimmy features about three quarters of the way through the hour-long programme.

Also read: From the archives – Norman Wisdom and Ernie Wise

Jimmy Cricket is seen performing on Blackpool Big Night Out

Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, then on to 9/11 Memorial 150 150 mhamer

Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, then on to 9/11 Memorial

Our last day in New York and we went to celebrate Mass in the iconic St Patrick’s Cathedral then onto 9/11 Memorials where once the Twin Towers stood, a day etched in all our minds, now an epitaph to all those who died, and also a testament to man’s lack of humanity and empathy!

Mass at a famous cathedral and the 9/11 Memorial were on the itinerary for Jimmy Cricket and his family.

Earlier during their holiday in New York, they watched a show on Broadway and visited the historic Ellis Island.

Jimmy tweeted: “Our last day in New York and we went to celebrate Mass in the iconic St Patrick’s Cathedral.

“Then onto 9/11 Memorial where once the Twin Towers stood, a day etched in all our minds

“Now an epitaph to all those who died and also a testament to man’s lack of humanity and empathy.”

Ellis Island, in New York Harbour, contains a museum and a former immigration inspection station.

It was the United States’ busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954.

Ellis Island processed about 12 million immigrants to the country through the Port of New York and New Jersey.

The Statue of Liberty

Today, it is part of the Statue of Liberty national monument (right) and hosts a museum of immigration (below).

Popular entertainer Jimmy posted several messages and photos of the holiday.

He tweeted: “Been to see this wonderful musical, taken from the classic Disney film, “Frozen”, at the St James Theatre!

“Been to this wonderful city that never sleeps a few times, but never to Ellis Island, where walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen in 1845, who came seeking a better life.

“I entered the Registry Room, then onto to Liberty Island to meet the great lady once again!”

The US trip included a visit to Hoboken, New Jersey, birthplace of legendary American singer and actor Frank Sinatra.

Jimmy posted: “I had the great pleasure of visiting the town of Hoboken where Sinatra was born and had spend his formative years.

Follow Jimmy on Twitter here.
See the Tour Dates section here on this website to keep up to date with all Jimmy’s movements.

Also read: You Must Be Joking show set to return at Newry Town Hall

Walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen

Walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen 150 150 mhamer

Walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen

Been to see with my family, this wonderful musical, taken from the classic Disney film, “Frozen”, at the St James Theatre, on Broadway this evening!

Jimmy Cricket and his family enjoyed a recent holiday in New York.

It included a visit to the famous Broadway to watch a show and also a trip to the historic Ellis Island.

Ellis Island, in New York Harbour, contains a museum and a former immigration inspection station.

It was the United States’ busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954.

Ellis Island processed about 12 million immigrants to the country through the Port of New York and New Jersey.

The Statue of Liberty

Today, it is part of the Statue of Liberty national monument (right) and hosts a museum of immigration (below).

Popular entertainer Jimmy posted several messages and photos of the holiday.

The pictures included those at the top of this article.

Jimmy said: “Been to see this wonderful musical, taken from the classic Disney film, “Frozen”, at the St James Theatre!”

He added: “Been to this wonderful city that never sleeps a few times, but never to Ellis Island, where walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen in 1845, who came seeking a better life.

“I entered the Registry Room, then onto to Liberty Island to meet the great lady once again!”

Been to this wonderful city that never sleeps a few times, but never to Ellis Island, where walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen in 1845, who came seeking a better life, I entered the Registry Room, then onto to Liberty Island to meet the great lady once again!

The US trip included a visit to Hoboken, New Jersey, birthplace of legendary American singer and actor Frank Sinatra.

Jimmy posted: “I had the great pleasure of visiting the town of Hoboken where Sinatra was born and had spend his formative years.

Follow Jimmy on Twitter here.

The popular comedian is back in action this weekend with performances around the country on both Saturday and Sunday.

See the Tour Dates section here on this website to keep up to date with all his movements.

Also read: You Must Be Joking show set to return at Newry Town Hall

Old pals Jimmy & Keith perform in Salford show 150 150 mhamer

Old pals Jimmy & Keith perform in Salford show

Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket returned to St Sebastian’s Community Centre in Salford to do a show along with his old friend and singer Keith Swift.

Keith SwiftThe centre, which is at Douglas Green, is a community resource managed
by a small group of volunteers, which provides a range of
opportunities and services for local people. A variety of community activities are offered by the centre, including health and fitness, arts and care support groups.

Said Jimmy: “Thanks to Gerry who organised the event and the team of helpers who supplied the buffet and  who worked behind the bar area!”

Keith (left), who is known professionally as Jonathan Swift, is a dynamic vocalist who does a Frank Sinatra tribute act. Visit his website here.

He has performed several shows with Catherine Tyldesley (who plays Eva Price in Coronation Street and is an outstanding singer in herself), including a private party for Mr Manchester United himself, Sir Alex Ferguson, and makes regular appearances on The Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show with the long-time favourite Northern Irish comedian.

Rotary Club benefits from great show at Rolls-Royce 150 150 mhamer

Rotary Club benefits from great show at Rolls-Royce

Jimmy Cricket with friends at the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby fundraiser

Jimmy with friends at the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby event

Jimmy Cricket helped to raise a four-figure sum of money for charity on a recent visit to the Rolls-Royce Club in the Lancashire town of Barnoldswick.

The 70-year-old entertainer was there to assist the local president of the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby, Michael Peckover, in raising funds for some of the good causes his organisation supports, including Aquabox, ShelterBox, WaterAid and Mercy Ships.

Jimmy Cricket performs at the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby fundraiser

Jimmy put on the show he often presents around community centres and church halls for good causes within the Greater Manchester and Lancashire regions.

On this occasion his show included his good wife – the female vocalist May Marion – and his good friend Jonathan Swift, who croons away as a Frank Sinatra tribute.

The Ballroom at the Rolls-Royce Leisure was full and, as a result, Michael was able to raise £1,000 from the event.

It meant that not only did everyone enjoy themselves tremendously – as Michael received some great feedback over the weekend after Jimmy’s show – but  those present all contributed to ensure a handsome sum of money was generated that will now help worthy charities associated with the Rotary brand.

The Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby fundraiser audience

From Muddles to Milton Keynes (slideshow) 150 150 mhamer

From Muddles to Milton Keynes (slideshow)

 

Jimmy Cricket returned to action after his festive pantomime spell with  a show in Milton Keynes.

The well-known entertainer appeared at the Lovat Fields Retirement Village in Milton Keynes, which is part of a national chain run by the Extra Care organisation. Jimmy has appeared at some of their other sites over the years in St Helens, Warrington and Coventry.

This particular visit was organised by Mary Cooper, who is one of the residents at Lovat Fields and is involved in helping to arrange the entertainment programme. A big thanks to Mary for also sending in the slideshow photos of the night.

Jimmy said: “This was my first show after the Christmas pantomime season.

“It came after what is a traditional annual break for me during January, so it was wonderful to return to stand-up after four weeks of being Muddles in Snow White and to entertain at such a hospitable place with a wonderful audience!”

* Click on either of the arrow buttons above to view the slideshow.