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Jimmy Cricket’s stolen wellies hit the headlines 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s stolen wellies hit the headlines

The Rochdale Observer reported the theft of the wellies given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy CricketThe theft of concrete wellington boots given to Rochdale-based Jimmy Cricket by fellow comedian Ken Dodd has certainly attracted the attention of the media.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket

Ken gave the sculpture (right) as a 50th birthday present to 67-year-old Jimmy who said he was “gutted” about the theft from his garden on Monday night.

As well as featuring catchphrases like “come closer!” and “…and there’s more!” in his act, Northern Irishman Jimmy is also famous for wearing wellingtons marked with the letters R and L, but on the wrong feet, on stage.

The story of the theft of the wellies, which were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket, featured on the front page of the Rochdale ObserverHe said the concrete wellies were of “high sentimental value”.

Greater Manchester Police said they were investigating the incident.

The BBC, ITV, the Rochdale Observer (see images with this story) and several radio stations were among the many media organisations to report on the crime.

‘Who knows what they’ll ask?’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Who knows what they’ll ask?’
Article about Jimmy Cricket in the Barking and Dagenham Post

Article in the Barking and Dagenham Post newspaper about Jimmy Cricket’s show at the Broadway Theatre

Jimmy Cricket says he will “bare his soul” when he hosts a Q&A at the Broadway Theatre in Barking, Essex.

The famous comedian is performing stand-up in the 8 June event and then giving the audience a chance to ask him questions.

And he tells the Barking and Dagenham Post (article above): “I don’t have too many skeletons in my cupboard, but who knows what they’ll ask?”

The show on Saturday starts at 7.30pm.

‘Comedy to leave you rolling in the aisles’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Comedy to leave you rolling in the aisles’

Popular entertainer Jimmy Cricket has just completed the first leg of his National Music Hall Tour.

The dates for this tour have been clustered, with the first leg over the spring and the second leg scheduled for the autumn, though there is also a one-off date at the Skegness Embassy Centre in July.

Jimmy Cricket is appearing with the National Music Hall Tour - poster

A poster (right) promoting the tour says the shows feature “a full supporting cast and wonderful live band with songs to get you singing along and comedy to leave you rolling in the aisles”.

The first leg included venues such as the Swansea Grand Theatre, Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, and Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre to name a few.

And the autumn leg has dates at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, Harlow Playhouse and the Crewe Lyceum Theatre, among others.

A full list of dates and details for each show can be found within the tour dates section of this website.

The show is produced by Mark Andrews Productions. Mark Andrews is a versatile performer, singing and acting as well as producing, and is developing an excellent reputation for his Music Hall touring shows.

* Jimmy is pictured below with the cast at the finale which was taken at the Swansea Grand Theatre. Alongside him and Mark Andrews is chairman Neil Hurst, singer Kay Carmen, Shep’s Banjo Band and the show’s musicians – keyboard player Steve Warburton and Karl on drums.

Music Hall show cast Jimmy Cricket and Mark Andrews (producer) with chairman Neil Hurst, singer Kay Carmen, Shep's Banjo Band and the show’s musicians - keyboard player - Steve Warburton and Karl on drums

Flying visit to appear on radio show 150 150 mhamer

Flying visit to appear on radio show
William Caulfield and Jimmy Cricket share a joke

Fellow Northern Irish comics William Caulfield & Jimmy Cricket share a joke at the radio show recording

Jimmy Cricket made a flying visit to Northern Ireland to appear on a show hosted by a fellow Northern Irish entertainer.

The Rochdale-based funnyman featured on the BBC Radio Ulster programme, It’s William Caulfield, So It Is, hosted by the eponymous impressionist and comedian.

Jimmy journeyed over on the day of the recording and flew back to Manchester the next day.

He said: “It was literally a flying visit to appear on the show. I wanted to accept the invite and had a great time with William.”

The programme was broadcast on Saturday 25 April, with the entire series available as a podcast on the BBC website. Each episode is recorded in front of a live studio audience at Blackstaff House.

Emmerdale star also in panto cast 150 150 mhamer

Emmerdale star also in panto cast

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamAn actor from Emmerdale will also be in the pantomime which Jimmy Cricket is headlining at Christmas.

More details have been released of the panto which runs at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, near Middlesbrough, from the afternoon of Saturday 7 December (commencing at 1.30pm) to Sunday 5 January.

Irish entertainer Jimmy plays the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, with Kurtis Stacey – who is Alex Moss in ITV’s ever-popular soap opera Emmerdale – the Wicked Queen’s Henchman.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamThe panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy said: “Tickets are reasonably priced between £13.50 and £16.00 – this does not include school rates or group booking rates.

“Couple this affordable ticket rate with the easy accessibility of the evening performance times – they are all scheduled for between 5.30pm and 6.30pm – and this show is definitely a family-friendly, Christmas treat for all the generations!”

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Maloney’s Big Moment 150 150 mhamer

Maloney’s Big Moment

Cast in Maloney's Big Moment: Colin Meredith, Cyril Walker, Katie Mulgrew (Jimmy’s daughter who is a stand-up comedian), Russell Richardson, Mark Whiteley, Steve Garner, Sarah Groarke-Booth and Jimmy CricketA newspaper story about a Spanish coastal town electing an English ex-pat as its mayor inspired top entertainer Jimmy Cricket to write a new radio play.

And Maloney’s Big Moment got its first public showing in front of a live audience at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Rochdale.

Famous comedian Jimmy wrote the play after seeing the article and thinking it was a really fascinating scenario, especially as the elected candidate did not have a particular good grasp of Spanish!Radio producer Roger Neale

Joining Jimmy for the recording in early April was a host of locally based actors and actresses.

These included Colin Meredith, Cyril Walker, Katie Mulgrew (Jimmy’s daughter who is a stand-up comedian), Russell Richardson, Mark Whiteley, Steve Garner and Sarah Groarke-Booth (all the cast are in the photo above), alongside the production team of Gerry Coates and Roger Neale.

Roger Neale (right) came all the way from Mansfield to help out with the production of the play.

Gerry Coates, from the internet Catholic radio station called Heart Gives unto Heart, and Jimmy between them made the production happen.

Interestingly, the new radio station has been acquired by the national Catholic newspaper called The Universe and will now become a division under this paper’s banner.

It is hoped during the relaunch of the station that this radio play will feature prominently in the opening week’s schedule – watch out for further details on this website.

:: Thanks to John Kay for providing these two great photos from this event.

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas? 150 150 mhamer

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas?

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamJimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, just outside the city of Middlesbrough.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

The Irish entertainer will be playing the role of Muddles in a version of Snow White and the seven Dwarves.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy posed for the photos on this page last month at a mini press launch which attracted significant interest from the local media. The full launch of the theatre’s Christmas season is not scheduled until the autumn.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamHe said: “I’m excited about visiting the North East again at Christmas time. I have featured in pantos in the region before and each time I have received a very warm reception.

“I am also thrilled to be teaming up with Duggie Chapman again, as previously we worked together on Christmas shows at Southport and Ashton-under-Lyne.

“These pantos were hugely successful, both creatively and on the number of people who came along to see the shows.”