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fund-raising

Catch up with Concordia show in photos 150 150 mhamer

Catch up with Concordia show in photos

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Jimmy Cricket’s recent performance at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire, was captured on film.

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Matt Holt took these photographs, which are courtesy of MGL Media.

It was the second of two variety shows, which well-known entertainer Jimmy did with Midlands crooner Michael George.

The other one took place at the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, seven days earlier.

They each featured Michael, his wonderful eight-piece band, his troupe of dancers, a supporting female vocalist, and comedian Jimmy as the special guest star.

The Concordia Theatre show is an annual event, which Michael holds each year to raise money for charity, with all proceeds going to Leicestershire-based  Hope Against Cancer.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed working with Michael at both the Gainsborough and Hinckley shows and found his enthusiasm for performing just wonderful to see.”

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live

Stephen Nolan - Jimmy Cricket is appearing on his BBC radio show

Jimmy Cricket is going to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s popular current affairs television show Nolan Live on Wednesday, June 3.

It is presented by Stephen Nolan (above) – a name that might be familiar to readers as he is often heard on BBC Radio 5 live presenting the station’s evening programme at the weekend.

Stephen Nolan's programme is called Nolan Live

Stephen’s TV show in Northern Ireland is a mix between topical debate and chat – he holds a panel discussion during one part of the programme, with the other section devoted to talking to a special guest. The first programme in this current series featured Peter Stringfellow,  the British businessman and nightclub owner.

Nolan Live has built a significant share of the viewing audience over several series and is now one of the most popular shows that BBC Northern Ireland produces for its home audience.

Famous entertainer Jimmy said: “Not only will I be having a chat with Stephen about what I am up to currently, but I have also been asked to perform some comedy stand-up and this is an opportunity I’m relishing.”

Variety show raises money for cancer charity 150 150 mhamer

Variety show raises money for cancer charity

Jimmy Cricket with Michael George

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with the Midlands crooner Michael George to do two variety shows across two counties.

The performances, both organised and funded by Michael himself, took place at the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

They each featured Michael, his wonderful eight-piece band, his troupe of dancers, a supporting female vocalist, and comedian Jimmy as the special guest star.

The Concordia Theatre show is an annual charity event, which Michael holds each year to raise money for charity, with all proceeds going to Leicestershire-based  Hope Against Cancer (as reported in the Hinckley Times newspaper, below).

Well-known Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed appearing alongside Michael, who I think has an infectious desire for performing and singing.

“Both shows went down very well with those who were in attendance and I enjoyed immensely my time on stage in both Gainsborough and Hinckley.”

Hinckley Times article about Jimmy Cricket's show with Michael George at the Concordia Theatre

Burnley FC event raises £10,000 for good causes 150 150 mhamer

Burnley FC event raises £10,000 for good causes

Burnley Football Club

Almost 450 people attended the Pauline Helm Memorial Event at Burnley Football Club, where Jimmy Cricket was one of the entertainers.

The Pauline Helm Memorial Event took place at Burnley Football ClubThe fund-raising gala dinner evening was organised by Pauline’s widower, Graham Helm (pictured below with Jimmy), and was held in one of the club’s main function suites, which was packed to the rafters with almost 450 people there.

It was hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire presenter Sally Naden and, apart from Jimmy’s contribution, the entertainment programme also featured Bacup-born international opera singer Sean Ruane (pictured below right with his wife) and music from the excellent band, A few good men.

International opera singer Sean Ruane with his wifeFamous Northern Irish comedian Jimmy said: “The evening raised a magnificent £10,000 in total and this achieved figure was a richly deserved outcome for Graham after all of his efforts over a number of months in the lead-up to the event.”

The money raised will now be split between two great causes, with £7,000 being awarded to the local East Lancashire Hospice and £3,000 going to construct an outdoor performance space for young people in Burnley.

Jimmy Cricket and Graham Helm at the memorial event at Burnley Football Club

Jimmy Cricket to appear in Blackpool charity gala 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket to appear in Blackpool charity gala

Jimmy Cricket is appearing in the charity gala, A Night to Remember, at the Viva venue in BlackpoolEntertainer Jimmy Cricket will be appearing in a huge charity gala at the Viva cabaret venue in Blackpool on May 15.

The line-up for A Night to Remember is a stunning collection of high-quality performers, who have been assembled by the organisers of this fundraising event, Jean Parkes and Sue Coolie.

Jean is a former manager of the Bradford Theatres organisation and now runs an agency in Blackpool called  Personality Artistes.

The proceeds from the event will go towards charities, which are associated with two worthy causes – Parkinson’s disease and leukaemia.

Book your tickets now with the Viva box office on 01253 297297.

‘Man in wellies & battered hat saves the day’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Man in wellies & battered hat saves the day’

Jimmy Cricket's latest column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket has been reminiscing about the era of the comedy song and how he hopes he has helped keep it alive.

In his latest column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post, the famous entertainer recalls “the many comedy and novelty songs that used to permeate the airwaves in the 50s and 60s”.

He adds: “Commercial radio stations all have playlists now. This means they only play songs that appeal to younger audiences , which companies who advertise with them deem to be possible customers. That’s how the commercial radio stations make their money.

Jimmy Cricket's Light & Shade

“However, you can still hear comedy and novelty songs on BBC radio stations, especially on their request shows.

“However, fear not dear readers.

“Just when you thought the comedy song was a footnote in the history of popular music, along comes the man in the wellies and the battered hat to save the day!

“Yes, my new CD called Light & Shade contains gems like ‘my budgie’s been tweeting for years’ and ‘I got blotto when I thought I’d won the lotto’.”

Light & Shade was officially released on 1 February and is available for £6 at www.jimmycricketshop.co.uk and at Jimmy’s live shows.

In the inside sleeve, Jimmy talks about the history behind the CD, which features a mixture of serious and comedy songs.

Sellout for comedy tour’s opening night 150 150 mhamer

Sellout for comedy tour’s opening night

Jimmy Cricket, John Linehan (aka May McFettridge), William Caulfield and Gene Fitzpatrick

The You Must Be Joking tour that reunited Jimmy Cricket with three fellow well-known Northern Ireland comedians had a first-night sellout.

Jimmy Cricket and fellow entertainers

Jimmy headlined the series of comedy shows, which also featured John Linehan (aka May McFettridge), William Caulfield and Gene Fitzpatrick.

It was a recreation of a successful format that was part of the 2013 Cookstown Comedy Festival.

The tour was hosted by four major theatres across Northern Ireland, with the opening night playing to a full house at the Grand Opera House in Belfast.

It then visited Newtonabbey and Derry before ending with a trip to the Market Place Arts Centre in Armagh.

The quartet of entertainers also appeared on the Gerry Kelly radio show at the BBC Radio Ulster studio in Belfast.

The tour was organised by Northern Ireland’s premier promotions company, David Hull Promotions, who are based in Belfast.

Jimmy Cricket and fellow entertainers