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funnyman

TV comedy series starts on Friday 150 150 mhamer

TV comedy series starts on Friday

John Bishop’s new TV comedy series, which features your favourite funnyman Jimmy Cricket, begins this week.

The first episode of Sky1’s John Bishop’s Only Joking is at 8.30pm (GMT) on Friday (11 January) – but you won’t see famous Irish comedian Jimmy until the second week.

Jimmy also appears in episodes three, four, five, six, seven and nine.

John Bishop's Only Joking starts on Sky1 on FridayWatch a trailer to the show at http://sky1.sky.com/john-bishops-only-joking/john-bishops-only-joking-trailer and find out more information at http://sky1.sky.com/sky1hd-shows/john-bishops-only-joking

“I really enjoyed recording this show with John Bishop,” says Jimmy. “I especially liked the nice touch that John went to when he sent me a note of thanks and reminded me of our last meeting on a beach over in Turkey!

“This was a few years ago when John was just starting out on his comedy career and I was in the resort where he was appearing at one of the local hotels.

“John was walking along the beach with his family and he bumped into me and I wished him all the very best with his career.

“John wrote in his note to me on the day of the recording of the Sky1 show: ‘Jimmy, great to have you on the show – it’s a long way from a holiday in Turkey!! Cheers John.’”

Jimmy says he is thrilled to be part of this new and exciting comedy series which is targeted at family viewing.

He adds: “I think it is great that not only do they have a great line-up of comedians – including an attractive mix of young comedians and legends such as Jason Manford and Tom O’Connor – but there is a nice twist that other celebrities and members of the public have also been filmed telling their favourite joke.

“The show deserves nothing but success.”

Appearing in Rochdale AFC’s fanzine 150 150 mhamer

Appearing in Rochdale AFC’s fanzine
Rochdale FC fanzine showing comedian Jimmy Cricket alongside the then manager Dave Sutton

Rochdale FC fanzine showing Jimmy Cricket alongside then manager Dave Sutton

Jimmy Cricket was reminded recently of the day he featured on the front page of the Rochdale Football Club fanzine.

It was in April 1997 when the famous Irish comedian appeared in a photograph alongside the then Rochdale FC manager Dave Sutton.

Jimmy has been a resident of the town of Rochdale for nearly 40 years and, like any other football fan, he has from time to time kept an eye on how his local team have been getting on.

This interest extended to him helping them out with a few initiatives back in the 1990s when the then commercial director – a charismatic man called Les Duckworth – was involved with the club  – and he and Jimmy got on really well.

Les’s dad had a music hall connection and Les was passionate about live theatre, which meant he and Jimmy has a lot in common.

As a result of this, Jimmy popped down to Rochdale to help Les out with the occasional fundraiser and presentation, and other initiatives at the club.

This even went as far Jimmy trying to record a comedy football song with the team though it did not go too well as the players’ collective singing ability was not as good as their performances on the pitch!

Jimmy also arranged a comedy five-a-side football match to take place during the half-time interval at one of the midweek matches.

When Les left the club, Jimmy’s association fell away, though he insists: “I was thrilled to see Rochdale at last get to Wembley a few ago when they reached the League Two play-off final.

“I hope that under Rochdale’s current manager, John Coleman, they have a successful season and bounce straight back into League One after last season’s relegation.”

Jimmy’s thanks go to Dale fan Chris Rodgers for sending in a copy of the front cover of the fanzine which is featured above

Headlining St Patrick’s Day show 150 150 mhamer

Headlining St Patrick’s Day show
Jimmy Cricket is featured in the Mill Rythe Holiday Village internal newspaper called The Guest

Jimmy Cricket is featured in the Mill Rythe Holiday Village internal newspaper called The Guest

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket already knows where he will be on St Patrick’s Day next year.

The famous funnyman appeared at the Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Hayling Island near Portsmouth in Hampshire recently – and was immediately invited back.

He will perform over the weekend marking the 2013 St Pat’s celebrations at the holiday village, having been asked to headline the main show on 17 March itself!

Jimmy had a great reception for his recent show and was full of praise for Jack – the centre’s entertainments manager who provided great assistance to the comedian during his visit.

Mill Rythe used to be part of the Warner classic holiday villages network, but is now owned by the Away Resorts Company. They also own two other holiday centres  – at Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight and Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire.

Still a Mammy’s boy 150 150 mhamer

Still a Mammy’s boy
The Sunday Life article about Jimmy Cricket returning to Belfast for the festival

The Sunday Life article about famous comedian Jimmy Cricket returning to Belfast for the festival

Jimmy Cricket launched an international comedy festival in his native city at the weekend.

Now living in Rochdale, the Northern Irish comedian returned to Belfast to officially open Belly Laughs.

The week-long inaugural Belfast International Comedy Festival began on Sunday with Jimmy’s show at the Black Box venue in the Cathedral Quarter of the city.

In total, the festival, which closes on Sunday (7 October) comprises of 30 performances at 15 venues across Belfast.

As well as stand-up comedy, the festival also features poetry, magic, cabaret, workshops, seminars, club nights, book readings and events for children.

The Belfast-based Sunday Life newspaper previewed the festival and Jimmy’s return to his home city.

Jimmy said: “The show went very well and was a great start to this festival which is in its inaugural year and which it is hoped will become an annual future in Belfast’s cultural calendar.”

Getting into the spirit for London 2012 150 150 mhamer

Getting into the spirit for London 2012
The grand finale featured all the show's participants who were representing all the many dance schools

The grand finale featured all the show's participants who were representing the many dance schools

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket got into the Olympic spirit when he compered a dance spectacular celebrating the forthcoming London Games.

The famous funnyman was asked to front up the special show which marked the Olympic Torch coming to Southport ahead of London 2012.

Programme front page for the Olympic dance event

Programme front page

It was staged at the Southport Theatre and organised by the Liverpool-based Allied Dancing Association Limited.

Former Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Elizabeth Peters was a special guest at the event.

The 19 dance schools which took part in the show were: Garswood School of Dance, Vibe Stage Academy, The Stage School, Harlequin Dance Club, Formby School of Dance, Dance Flava, Claire Knight School of Dance, Martins Dance Centre, Excelsior School of Dance, Phoenix School of Dance, Dance Depot, Liverpool Theatre School, Felicia Burns School of Dance, Chriska Stage School, Marshside School of Dance, Southport School of Dance, Crown Dance School, Jade School of Dance and Dance Passion.

Jimmy Cricket on stage

Jimmy on stage

The general secretary of Allied Dancing Association, Carol Parry, invited Jimmy to host the show. They first met last Christmas during Jimmy’s pantomime season at the Civic Theatre in Darlington. Carol’s daughter, Melissa, featured in the Southport Theatre show as a dancer.

Jimmy says: “This was a spectacular show and my hats off to all the organisers of this event for all the hard work they put into it.

“Special praise to one of the principal organisers, Carol Parry, as she was a real driving force behind the show and she worked tirelessly to ensure it was a huge success!”

Photos for this story were taken by Alan at Photos2U

Arr, Jim lad! 150 150 mhamer

Arr, Jim lad!
Jimmy Cricket with the parrot

Jimmy Cricket agreed to be pictured with the parrot in aid of charity

Jimmy Cricket has had thousands of photographs taken of him as an entertainer over the years – but probably not many with a parrot on his shoulder!

The famous Irish comedian was asked to pose for a picture with Gizmoo the parrot as part of an idea to raise money for a special charitable cause.

Moments later he went on stage at the Palace Theatre in Mansfield.

Photographing Gizmoo with celebrities is a fundraising concept by Jane Beresford – who took the photo above – on behalf of a baby who was seriously ill at birth.

Ten-month-old Amelia Rose Sutton was born four weeks premature with severe brain damage after lying on the umbilical cord while in the womb, causing a condition known as Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) when the brain does not receive enough oxygen.

After spending seven weeks in neonatal intensive care, Amelia was allowed home, but has since been in and out of hospital.

She requires 24-hour care, which is currently provided solely by her parents, Adrian Sutton and Louise Toplis, and needs regular physio to help her limbs more freely and assist her posture.

Her parents, who live in Derbyshire, have set up the Help Amelia Rose Trust (HART) to raise money for extra physio sessions and a room equipped with sensory lights which will help her quality of life and general development.

For details of how to donate to HART call 01159 446165 or visit www.helpamelia.org