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Gerry Kelly

Gerry Kelly show hears how Jimmy’s showbiz dream came true 150 150 mhamer

Gerry Kelly show hears how Jimmy’s showbiz dream came true

Jimmy Cricket appeared on the Conversations with Gerry Kelly Show

Jimmy Cricket’s rise to fame was far from easy, the famous comedian told popular chatshow host Gerry Kelly.

Speaking on the Conversations with Gerry Kelly show, Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy revealed he had been rejected five times for talent shows.

But he went on to become a household name with his own television series.

The interview was broadcast last week and can be watched on YouTube here.

It also aired on the community channel NVTV and Sky Channel 588

One viewer said: “Watched your interview Jimmy – it was great.

“You are a real ambassador for where you were born – Cookstown and our province.”

The introduction to the Gerry Kelly show said: “‘Come ‘ere, there’s more’ – the catchphrase of one of Northern Ireland’s most successful comedians.

“Born in Cookstown, Jimmy Mulgrew went on to become one of the highest-paid performers in the UK.

Jimmy Cricket appeared on the Conversations with Gerry Kelly Show“Audiences came to know him as Jimmy Cricket, but his climb to the top of the entertainment world didn’t come easy.

“Rejection after rejection, disappointment after disappointment, forced to take a series of menial jobs, it was Jimmy’s self-belief and determination that eventually won through.

“A story of perseverance and strength of character, there is much more to Jimmy Cricket than a silly haunday  and a pair of wellington boots.”

The comedian had left secondary school with no qualifications and worked in multiple jobs around Belfast.

However, he continued to dream of a career in showbusiness.

“I used to avidly watch Sunday .

“I loved the comedian Billy Dainty and I got to do pantomime with him years later,” recalled Jimmy, who went on to perform at the Palladium himself.

Details on how to buy Jimmy’s autobiography and DVD can be found here.

Grand finale with a saxophone! 150 150 mhamer

Grand finale with a saxophone!

Jimmy Cricket with Clubsound in Northern Ireland

Famous comedian Jimmy Cricket on his saxophone with showband Clubsound on his Northern Ireland tour

Jimmy Cricket ended the second leg of a tour of Northern Ireland in some style.

The entertainer had been touring the province along with popular showband Clubsound.

The tour was organised in two parts, with the first back in early March and the second during the middle of April.

There was great camaraderie between the boys of Clubsound and Jimmy – and they even performed a grand finale together, with the Northern Irish funnyman playing his saxophone (picture above) at the Burnavon Theatre in Cookstown.

Below, Jimmy is shown being presented with a special honour by Cllr Tony Quinn, the chairman of Cookstown Council. The plaque was awarded to Jimmy as a famous son of his birthplace.

Jimmy Cricket collects his Cookstown award

Putting in some overtime! 150 150 mhamer

Putting in some overtime!

Jimmy Cricket and Northern Irish comedienne Victoria ArmstrongJimmy Cricket found the time to fit in an extra performance during a recent trip to Northern Ireland.

He was in the province for the second leg of a tour with the showband, Clubsound, and ended up headlining a show at the Newforge Country Club in South Belfast which was compered by Northern Irish comedienne Victoria Armstrong (pictured right with Jimmy).

Famous Irish comedian Jimmy said: “The event was a fundraising event organised by Paul McCarron who is an emerging comedy prospect in the province in his own right.

“He put a great concert together and everyone at the event had a splendid evening.

“I was able to fit in this event as an additional commitment and was really pleased the schedule allowed me to appear in Paul’s show.

“I wish Paul all the very best with his comedy career and with all the fundraising he is involved with.”

C’mere til I tell you… 150 150 mhamer

C’mere til I tell you…

The article about Jimmy Cricket in the Mid Ulster Mail, written by journalist Gillian McDade

The article about Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket in the Mid Ulster Mail, written by journalist Gillian McDade

Jimmy Cricket has been getting more media attention back in his native Northern Ireland.

An article (above) in this week’s edition of the Mid Ulster Mail, written by journalist Gillian McDade, featured the well-known comedian being awarded a plaque by the chairman of Cookstown council, Cllr Tony Quinn, in tribute to him as one of the town’s most famous sons.

Read more about Jimmy’s successful career here.

Honoured on return to birthplace 150 150 mhamer

Honoured on return to birthplace

Cllr Tony Quinn awards the plaque to Jimmy Cricket who is accompanied by his wife, May

Cllr Tony Quinn awards the plaque to Jimmy who is accompanied by his wife, May

Jimmy Cricket received a special honour on a recent return to the place of his birth.

The famous entertainer was awarded a plaque by the chairman of Cookstown council, Cllr Tony Quinn, in tribute to him as one of the Northern Irish town’s most famous sons.

His visit was part of a tour of the province with the popular Northern Ireland-based showband, Clubsound.

The tour was spread over two legs and the visit to Cookstown’s Burnavon Theatre marked the first date of the second series of shows.

When the local council found out about the visit, they wanted to recognise Jimmy’s achievements by awarding him an honorary plaque.

A proud Jimmy said: “I’ll definitely know where my roots are as the plaque will now feature prominently on my mantelpiece!”

Jimmy was born James Mulgrew on October 17 1945 in Cookstown, before moving to England in the 1970s and settling in Rochdale. Read more about his successful career here.

Wearing a red nose for great cause 150 150 mhamer

Wearing a red nose for great cause

Jimmy Cricket with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Kelly and Michelle Major, a laughter yoga instructor

Jimmy Cricket is urging everyone to contribute to Comic Relief on Red Nose Day.

The famous Irish comic was at the studios of BBC Radio Ulster recently helping to promote the big fund-raising event which takes place on Friday (15 March).

Comic Relief is a major UK charity set up in 1985 which strives to create a just world free from poverty, raising awareness and money through activities based around entertainment. its two big fundraising campaigns being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

Belfast-born Jimmy popped over to have a chat with Gerry on his Saturday show on BBC Radio Ulster while he was on tour in Northern Ireland with a show featuring popular showband Clubsound.Jimmy Cricket sporting red nose at BBC Radio Ulster to help promote Comic Relief

The entertainer will again perform with Clubsound on the second leg of the tour, which is being promoted by Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment promotions Company, David Hull Promotions, from 18 to 20 April.

Jimmy said: “I encourage everyone to donate to Comic Relief and hope everyone will enjoy whatever fundraising activities they are involved with for this great cause!”

He is pictured above with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Kelly and another of the show’s guests – Michelle Major, a laughter yoga instructor.

Back to Belfast 150 150 mhamer

Back to Belfast

Jimmy Cricket and Gerry Kelly

Jimmy Cricket and Gerry Kelly

Jimmy Cricket returned to his roots recently.

The well-known Belfast-born comic went back to his native city to watch a musical and do a phone-in on a radio show.

He explained: “We received some photos from the foyer of the Grand Opera House in Belfast where I went to see my grand niece in the musical Annie.

“I’m pictured with famous Northern Ireland television and radio presenter Gerry Kelly. I was doing a live phone-in on Gerry’s very popular radio series. Before going into the media Gerry studied to be a teacher in Heywood.”

Jimmy is also pictured with members of the amateur dramatics society.