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From the archives

From the archives: Secret service sketch from TV series 150 150 mhamer

From the archives: Secret service sketch from TV series

Jimmy Cricket has been posting more sketches from his 1980s TV series.

Jimmy Cricket has highlighted another sketch from his 1980s TV series on social media.

Central Television hosted And There’s More.

The famous Northern Irish comedian linked to the latest sketch in which he plays a hapless secret service agent called Wally!

Wally is shown to his hotel room by a hotel porter.

He receives a message which he thinks is in code, until the porter points out the piece of paper is upside down.

Wally gives it to the porter to read and it begins: “On no account, let the hotel porter see this note!”

And so he immediately grabs it back off her.

Watch the full sketch on Jimmy’s Twitter account here.

He said on social media: “Hi folks! Editing snippets from, And There’s More, series for the website.

“Thought I would share this one with you, for all those who miss sketch shows on the telly.

“This one is for you! #savethearts.”

Jimmy became a household name with And There’s More, which ran for a total of three years between 1985 and 1988.

Keep an eye on the homepage of this website for more sketches from And There’s More.

Watch series two episode four of And There’s More

Also read: Brian Conley among special guests in 1980s TV show

 

From the archives: 1983 Children’s Royal Variety Performance 150 150 mhamer

From the archives: 1983 Children’s Royal Variety Performance

Hi folks editing footage, and here's my little contribution to the 3rd Children's Royal Variety Show, (this idea was the creation of Rod Hull), at the end, how many artistes do you know? Alongside the great advocate of Variety, David Bell #keepvarietyalive

The third Children’s Royal Variety Performance featured many top entertainers, including our very own Jimmy Cricket.

Jimmy has been reliving the star-studded show from nearly 40 years ago by making his own performance available online.

He posted on social media: “Hi folks we’re editing some footage and here’s my little contribution which was recorded at the 3rd Children’s Royal Variety Performance.

“This idea was the creation of Speciality Act Rod Hull, which raised a lot of money for the NSPCC over the 13 years.

This one was staged by LWT – can you name all the Variety Artistes at the end of the clip in the line-up?

“Alongside the great advocate of Televised Variety, the sadly missed David Bell #keepvarietyalive”

Also among the performers in March 1983 were Russ Abbot, Kim Wilde, Jeremy Beadle, Stu Francis, Keith Chegwin, Dustin Gee and Maggie Philbin.

Princess Margaret was the royal guest.

The replies to Jimmy’s post included:

Stewart: I remember Dustin Gee doing a gig at Haslingden Cricket Club many years ago.

Gildas: Well worth watching , would love to see the full show (see below).

Gary: Love it

Michelle: Brilliant

Simon: Brilliant and still funny!

Pete: That’s when variety was at its best. Lovely to see.

Rod: Jimmy Cricket you are brill. Total pro.

Paul: Really fab Jimmy.

Dom: Love it Jimmy. Well done pal.

Watch Jimmy’s performance below.

Watch the full show here

Also read: ‘Great privilege’ to be in 1984 Royal Variety Show

 

From the archives: Norman Wisdom and Ernie Wise 150 150 mhamer

From the archives: Norman Wisdom and Ernie Wise

Jimmy Cricket, Ernie Wise and Norman WisdomHere’s a golden memory from the archives – when our very own Jimmy Cricket teamed up with two of his comedy heroes, Norman Wisdom and Ernie Wise.

The three comedians are each donning a smart suit of their own choice from a range of styles to model them.

It was part of a promotional build-up to the International Mens & Boys Wear Exhibition (Imbex), which took place at the Savoy hotel in London.

The date the photograph was taken was 16 February 1989.

This newspaper article the following day carried the headline of Comics put fun into male fashion.

And the story began: “Comedians got all dressed up to kill yesterday”.

Jimmy recalls: “This was fun when I got the chance to meet two of my comedy heroes!

Sir Norman died in October 2010 in a nursing home on the Isle of Man aged 95.

Cult figure in Albania

The London-born star was famous for his slapstick film roles in the 1950s and 1960s, famously playing Norman Pitkin against the frustrated boss Mr Grimsdale.

He was a cult figure in Albania, where his were the only films from the West allowed in the country.

Ernie was one half of the Britain’s most popular comedy duo with Eric Morecambe, Morecambe and Wise.

He died in March 1999 at the age of 73.

Also read: Golden Memories – performing in front of Princess Diana

Golden Memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana 150 150 mhamer

Golden Memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Jimmy Cricket has worked with many great fellow entertainers in 50 years of showbusiness.

The lovable Northern Irish comedian has also performed in front of some very famous people.

Jimmy, now 74, has been reminiscing on social media about taking part in the Royal Variety Performance in 1984.

The show took place on 19 November at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London.

Royal guests were the Queen Mother, Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

Also among the performers were singer/actor Paul Nicholas and comedians Bernie Winters and Billy Dainty.

The Royal Variety Performance is a televised variety show held annually.

It raises money for the Royal Variety Charity, of which Queen Elizabeth II is life patron.

Senior members of the British Royal Family attend the event.

The evening’s performance is presented as a live variety show, usually from a theatre in London.

‘Warm glow’

It consists of family entertainment, including comedy, music, dance, magic and other specialty acts.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Jimmy is unable to do live shows at venues.

However, he has been telling jokes via video on his social media accounts, including Facebook.

Additionally, he has been dipping into the archives and posted the images above and below on social media.

He added: “As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years.

“All have given me a warm glow. None more than this one.

“I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King! ????”

Golden memories: The Osmonds

If you have any special memories of celebrities with whom Jimmy has performed or would simply like him to feature somebody in our series, you can:

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!