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‘Unforgettable evening of sensational variety and hilarious comedy’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Unforgettable evening of sensational variety and hilarious comedy’
Three comedy legends will headline an evening of "comedy and variety for all the family" in Blackpool later this year.Three legendary comics will headline a show of “comedy and variety for all the family” in Blackpool later this year.
Jimmy Cricket, Tommy Cannon and Mick Miller are starring in Rule Brit-Ha-nnia on Friday 24 October.
It takes place at The Joe Longthorne Theatre, which is on the North pier.
The Ticket Source website says it will be an “unforgettable evening of sensational variety and hilarious comedy”.
It adds: “Book early for an evening of the Best of British!”
Joining the three comedians on stage are ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent performer Ben Nickless (impressionist), Steve Hewlett (ventriloquist) and Siobhan Phillips (comedian).
International juggler Jon Udry is also performing in the show, which will be hosted by compere Jack Land Noble.
Go here for the book details (https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/venueplan/qvlddvolrvrn).
The length of the show is two hours and 30 minutes (including a 20-minute interval).
Wayne Dobson was ‘a superbly gifted magician and comedian’ 150 150 mhamer

Wayne Dobson was ‘a superbly gifted magician and comedian’

Wayne Dobson was a 'superbly gifted magician and comedian'

Jimmy Cricket says he is “blessed to have known and worked with” legendary magician Wayne Dobson, who has died aged 68.

Leciester-born Wayne became well known following a host of television appearances in the late 1980s and 1990s.

He hosted his own show called Wayne Dobson – A Kind of Magic.

Wayne had a long and successful career, and campaigned for multiple sclerosis charities, having had the condition for nearly 40 years.

He performed with the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey and Freddie Starr.

His appearance at the 1989 Royal Variety Show, alongside boxer Frank Bruno and sports commentator Harry Carpenter, was particularly memorable.

See below for the clip.

Fellow entertainer Jimmy said on social media: “Sad to hear of the passing of Wayne.

“He was a superbly gifted magician and comedian.

“Like myself, he started his television career on ITV’s Search for a Star (both of us were on the same show together).

“Even when struck down with multiple sclerosis, the trooper that he was, he carried on performing in his wheelchair!

“I was blessed to have known and worked with him!

“R.I.P. old friend!”

 

Why my This is Your Life moment almost never happened 150 150 mhamer

Why my This is Your Life moment almost never happened

Jimmy Cricket was once the star of TV's This Is Your Life - but it nearly never happened.

Jimmy Cricket was once the star of TV’s This Is Your Life – but it nearly never happened.

In the popular primetime programme, the host would pop in unexpectedly on a special guest.

The celebrity would then be transported to a television studio and be taken through their life with the assistance of the ‘big red book’ and the help of friends and family.

This Is Your Life was originally broadcast live and alternated between on the BBC and  on ITV over the years.

It was on 29 September 1987 when famous funnyman Jimmy was surprised by presenter Eamonn Andrews on a central London building site.

Jimmy has been recalling the whole experience, which included an amazing coincidence, in his latest Saturday column in the Lancashire Evening Post.

“It happened in the late 1980s but I can still remember it to this day… I’d just come up from the underground and as I stepped out into one of London’s busiest thoroughfares, Oxford Circus, who should I see in front of my eyes but my sister-in-law Evelyn strolling along with her husband Barry by her side.

What made it even more surprising was that Evelyn had emigrated to Australia 15 years before.

Bigger surprise

We exchanged a few pleasantries and Evelyn then mentioned that she’d be up to see her sister May in Rochdale in the coming days.

The object of my visit to London was to promote a book I’d just written called Letters From My Mammy.

So the next morning my agent/manager Phyllis Rounce and I were driven to a building site where the publishers had arranged for me to have some publicity shots taken.

Little did I know that another even bigger surprise was in store for me.

As our car approached this building site, whom should I see but Evelyn again, and beside her a man wearing a black and white donkey jacket, with a yellow tin hat on his head, carrying a big red book under his arm.

And as we drew closer, it became clear that the man was none other than a famous television personality of that era called Eamonn Andrews.

As I stepped out of the car, he greeted me with his soft Irish dulcet tones: “Last night you saw your sister-in-Law Evelyn in the street in London, but tonight Jimmy Cricket, This is your life.

Melodious singing

It had all started many years before, in the summer of 1972, when in my mid-20s, I got job as a Pontin Bluecoat at their holiday camp in Middleton Towers near Morecambe.

Three young sisters – May, Margaret and Evelyn – also worked there as waitresses, and, as they too came from Belfast, I struck up an instant rapport with them.

After they’d finished their dining room duties, May and Margaret would get up in the Sundowner Bar and, under the name The Tweedie Sisters, regale the holidaymakers with their melodious singing.

I was bowled over by the reception the girls got and as I harboured a burning desire to be a full-time comic myself, I hatched a plan that when the season finished at the camp, we would all head off to seek our fame and fortune.

As Manchester was the nearest area with a thriving club scene, we decided to try our luck there.

Evelyn, the eldest sister, was crucial to the project because she was the only one of us who could actually drive.

Recklessness of youth!

I remember one particular night when we were all coming back from a gig and our clapped-out banger broke down.

Two policemen got out of their patrol car to help us, when they saw us pushing it.

When we eventually did get it to go and they waved us off, we all gave a mighty sigh of relief… little did our boys in blue realise that our vehicle was neither taxed nor insured.

Oh the recklessness of youth! It was around this time that Evelyn decided to emigrate to Oz.

Back to This Is Your Life… because of the surprise meet-up in Oxford Circus the night before, the programme itself was very nearly cancelled.

What saved the day was the fact that May had been told her sister wouldn’t be able to come over from Australia.

So, just before the end of the show when Eamonn enquired about Evelyn, I was able to turn the tables and tell her the good news.

Then on came Evelyn for an emotional reunion with her sisters.

Affinity

The only sad bit was that Eamonn himself passed away peacefully in hospital a few weeks later.

It was said he actually watched the show shortly before his death and I have felt an affinity with him ever since.

The programme can be seen on my website – see link below.

The site also contains a fuller version of these events in my autobiography Memoirs of an Irish Comedian.”

The paperback version of Jimmy’s autobiography costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon.

It is also available via eBook and audio formats.

Signed copies (£13.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also on sale at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10 where he will sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!

Watch: Jimmy Cricket on TV’s This Is Your Life

 

Roy Walker: Amazing story of a truly inspirational man 150 150 mhamer

Roy Walker: Amazing story of a truly inspirational man

Jimmy Cricket describes fellow Northern Irish comedian Roy Walker as "truly inspirational" in his latest newspaper column.

Jimmy Cricket describes fellow Northern Irish comedian Roy Walker as “truly inspirational” in his latest newspaper column.

Writing in the Blackpool Gazette and the Lancashire Evening Post earlier this month, Jimmy says Roy has endured bigotry, violence and great personal sadness in his life.

But he “still managed to spread joy and happiness to people with his great comedy and vocal talents”.

Roy worked for many years as a television presenter and comedy actor, including as the original host of the popular TV game show Catchphrase.

In his column, Jimmy writes: “In late March of this year, I went back to my roots and did a short theatre tour in Northern Ireland with three other comics from the province – Roy Walker, Adrian Walsh and Gene Fitzpatrick.

“What made this show different was that all of us were in our late seventies and two of the boys had made miraculous recoveries from serious illnesses.

“The idea for the show was conceived by promoter David Hull and what makes David stand out among promoters can be summed up in one word – compassion.

Like Glastonbury with walking sticks!

“Sure, he wants to make money, but the main purpose of this tour was twofold.

To help give us older entertainers something to look forward to and to thank us for the many shows we’d done for him over the years.

“He was rewarded with house-full signs and electric atmospheres at every venue we played.

“It was a bit like Glastonbury with walking sticks!

“I’d like to focus this article on one of the comedians I shared the stage with during that tour – Roy Walker.

“Roy’s story is truly inspirational.

Jean and Roy

“Picture the scene… it’s the mid-1960s and a young man fresh out of the army marries his fiancée, Jean.

“They buy a fruit and vegetable shop and by night the young man works as a resident compere in one of the many cabaret clubs in and around Belfast at the time called The Talk of The Town.

“In his tuxedo and bow tie, handsome looks and fine voice, he’s a wow with the nightly audiences.

“In 1969 the troubles grip Northern Ireland and innocent victims are caught up in the sectarian violence that followed in its wake.

“Roy and Jean turned up one morning to find their shop burned to the ground.

“The reason… Roy was a Protestant and Jean was a Catholic.

Dark days

“Not long after, The Talk of  The Town closes its doors… these were dark days for the couple and their three small children.

“During his residency there, Roy was always anxious to make sure the many visiting cabaret acts from England that came over to do weekly stints at The talk of the Town were happy.

“He made them feel at home by playing golf with them through the day and inviting them back for family meal.

“One such act was the Karl Denver Trio and their lead guitarist Kevin.

“When Roy rang and told him of his predicament, Kevin unhesitatingly advised him to come to England.

“He was more than sure Roy would carve out a good living in the thriving North of England clubland scene and when he’d settled in he could then send for his family.

“Kevin’s optimism was well founded.

“Roy became an instant hit when he crossed the water and, not only that, when he started to put some patter into his act between songs, the north of England audiences immediately warmed to his gentle Northern Ireland accent and pretty soon Roy Walker the comedian shot to prominence.

“He set up home in Peterlee, County Durham, and sent for Jean and the kids.

“His big break into television was on the talent show New Faces and then he became host of the popular and long-running ITV game show Catchphrase.

Golden legacy

“It ran for 13 years!

“Unfortunately, tragedy struck again when at the height of his popularity his beloved Jean died of cancer.

“I’m sure she she’d be looking down now smiling at the golden legacy she’s left behind.

“Because not only are Roy and Jean’s sons Phil and Mark brilliant comedians.

“But their daughter Josie has been a leading lady in the West End in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of The Opera and many more.

“It’s an amazing story of a man who endured bigotry, violence and great personal sadness, and still managed to spread joy and happiness to people with his great comedy and vocal talents.

“Roy Walker… we salute you!”

Also read: Wonderful, warm audience for Northern Ireland tour opener

 

BBC Pebble Mill at One – images from 1996 show 150 150 mhamer

BBC Pebble Mill at One – images from 1996 show

Pebble Mill from March 1996 - @TheRossKing welcomes (amongst others) Jimmy @jimmy__cricket and The Barron Knights

Jimmy Cricket had a trip down memory lane recently when he was reminded of his appearance on BBC’s Pebble Mill at One more than 22 years ago.

The famous comedian appeared on the show, hosted by Ross King, along with The Barron Knights, a British humorous pop group, originally formed in 1959 in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

Pebble Mill at One was a live daily chat show broadcast on weekdays at 1pm on BBC One, screened from 2 October 1972 to 23 May 1986 and again from 20 October 1991 to 25 May 1996.

It was transmitted from the Pebble Mill studios at BBC Birmingham, being hosted unusually from the centre’s main foyer area, rather than a conventional television studio.

It was a posting on social media channel Twitter, which provided the flashback for Jimmy.

The tweet, from Dame Agnes Guano‏ (@agnes_guano), said:  “Pebble Mill from March 1996 – welcomes (amongst others) Jimmy and The Barron Knights.”

Ross King MBE is a Scottish television presenter, actor and writer best known for being LA Correspondent for ITV  breakfast programmes Lorraine and Good Morning Britain. He hosted Pebble Mill at One for five years.

Fr Frankie pops in to say ‘hello’ at church show! 150 150 mhamer

Fr Frankie pops in to say ‘hello’ at church show!

Jimmy Cricket posted on Facebook: Wonderful evening at St Bartholomew’s Parish Church in Great Harwood with the double act, (and Anglian Priests), #jackandkrac better known as Chris and Alex, alongside Andy on sound, and #FatherFrankie popped in to say hello to everyone! ?

One of Jimmy Cricket’s sons paid an impromptu visit during a show in east Lancashire.

Famous entertainer Jimmy, 72, was performing on the same bill as Fr Alex Frost and Rev Chris Krawiec, two Church of England curates known as the double comedy act Jack and Krac.

And comedian-turned-Roman Catholic priest Fr Frankie Mulgrew turned up at the event which took place at St Bartholomew’s Parish Church in Great Harwood.

Jimmy said on social media that it had been a “wonderful evening” and added: “#FatherFrankie popped in to say hello to everyone! ?”

A look back to when Mrs Cricket was also surprised on TV’s This Is Your Life! 150 150 mhamer

A look back to when Mrs Cricket was also surprised on TV’s This Is Your Life!

Jimmy Cricket's May column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket has been recalling the day he was presented with the famous ‘big red book’ on This Is Your Life – and how his wife May also got a massive surprise!

In his latest column for the Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy explained how in the late 1980s he had been asked by his publishers to go to London for the launch of his Letters From My Mammy book.

Jimmy was informed the event was going to take place on a building site the following day, when in reality he was going to be met by This Is Your Life presenter Eamonn Andrews.

In the popular and long-running show, the host would spring unexpectedly on a special guest, before going to a studio to take them through their life with the assistance of the ‘big red book’ and the help of friends and family.

The surprise element was a very important part of the show; if the guest heard about the plans beforehand, it would immediately be abandoned.

After arriving in London, Jimmy bumped into his sister-in-law Evelyn much to his amazement (and hers!), as she had moved to Australia several years earlier.

Evelyn had been asked to come back to appear on the show and clearly hadn’t expected to meet Jimmy in the street, but she managed to come up with a story that she had returned to Britain as a special surprise for her sister May, Jimmy’s wife.

Hence, as things turned out, Jimmy was able to turn the tables on May during the show by telling her that Evelyn was in fact there (May had been told her sister could not make it).

The show was broadcast on Wednesday 4 November, the eve of Eamonn Andrews’ death.

This Is Your Life was originally broadcast live, and alternated between on the BBC and  on ITV over the years.

Watch Jimmy’s show below: