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jam nights

2025 season at Lyndene Hotel likely to be Jimmy’s last 150 150 mhamer

2025 season at Lyndene Hotel likely to be Jimmy’s last

Jimmy Cricket has hinted that his 10th season at the Lyndene hotel will be his last at the Blackpool venue.Jimmy Cricket has hinted that his 10th season at the Lyndene hotel will be his last at the Blackpool venue.

The well-known comedian performed there during what will be a particularly busy month of March for him.

His latest visit to the Lyndene was his first of six gigs in just 22 days during the next few weeks.

Jimmy’s official autobiography, Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian, costs £11.99 and can be bought at online retailer Amazon.

Afterwards, Jimmy posted a photo of him on stage (above) and said on social media: “Back for my 10th and final year!”

He added: “😂is the best medicine.”

The Lyndene is a sea-front venue, which puts on top quality entertainment the whole year round.

Jimmy followed up his Lyndene visit by hosting the long-running charity JAM night in his adopted hometown of Rochdale last night (Tuesday 11 March).

On Friday, the Northern Irish entertainer is at the Hollywood Comedy Club in Birmingham.

And then he rounds off a hectic week back in Blackpool in Sunday Night at the Grand (16 March – St Patrick’s Day eve).

Talking Pictures TV Film Festival takes place on 22 and 23 March.

After that he heads off down south for the two-day Talking Pictures TV and Renown Pictures Festival of Film in St Albans, Hertfordshire (22 and 23).

The following Saturday (29), his last show of the month is at St Mary’s Community Centre in Leyland, near Preston.

See all Jimmy’s booked events here.

Also read: Sunday Night at the Grand show marks special milestone

Rochdale jam event is ‘lovely charity evening’

 

Remembering Eric Devereaux: ‘Mr Showman’ had ‘stellar career’ 150 150 mhamer

Remembering Eric Devereaux: ‘Mr Showman’ had ‘stellar career’

Remembering Eric Devereaux: 'Mr Showman' had a 'stellar career'

Eric Devereaux was a “superb all-round entertainer” and “will be missed by so many people”.

Jimmy Cricket has paid a fond tribute to his great friend Eric who has passed away.

Update since this article was written: Eric’s funeral will be held at Rochdale Crematorium on Monday 20 January at 3.20pm.

A show compere, singer and producer, Eric had a stellar career in the entertainment business.

He enjoyed notable stints during the cabaret heyday of the 60s and 70s at a host at iconic venues such as Cadishead Conservative Club.

Eric was good friends with Hughie Green, the legendary presenter of Opportunity Knocks.

He was also one of Sir Alex Fergurson favourite performers, to the point where Eric had become an annual fixture for Sir Alex’s birthday celebrations each year.

After moving to Norden in Rochdale many years ago, Eric helped Jimmy with his jam nights at a local parish centre.

Jimmy said: “This is how I will always remember my friend, ‘Eric the lovable Showman’.

“It is with profound sadness that I heard of the passing of Eric from his granddaughter Stacey.
“I first met Eric at the Irlam and Cadishead Royal British Legion club when he compèred and produced shows there.
“Although classified as a social club, it used to have a four-piece resident band and opened four nights a week.
‘Treat for sore eyes’
“It epitomised the thriving Manchester entertainment scene during the 60s and 70s and Eric was in his element there, booking the acts and performing himself.

“When the nearby cabaret club The Talk of the North would give big name artists like Bob Monkhouse and Vince Hill Monday night off, Eric would rush down and book them for his club.

“I was so lucky when he moved to Rochdale 20 years ago. We both used to take it in turns to put a monthly charity jam night at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Norden.
“He was a superb all-round entertainer and to see him perform King of the Swingers was a treat for sore eyes.
“However, to all his family and friends he will be known as Mr Showman because of his love of entertaining and organising entertainment.
Jimmy and Eric singing together
“It was a love that only slowed down when Parkinson’s Disease came into his life and then a few years later he lost his beloved wife Gloria.
“Even then when he first moved into a care home, he was still organising shows for his fellow residents.
“He was loved so much and will be missed by so many people, most of all by his family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them at this time.”
At the next jam night on Tuesday 12 March 2025 we will dedicate it to Eric’s memory.”

From the archives: Fergie favourite is latest Wellie winner

Double celebration time for our favourite comedian! 150 150 mhamer

Double celebration time for our favourite comedian!

It was a double celebration weekend for evergreen funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

Saturday (16 October) marked the long-awaited return of the popular jam nights introduced by Jimmy and his wife May about 15 years ago.

And Sunday was the famous entertainer’s 76th birthday.

Double celebration weekend: Here back with our Jammers tonight, (now into our second decade), at #StVincentsParishCentre, (after a long 19 month break), Pauline’s raffle tonight will go to the wonderful Charity #marysmeals, my thanks also to singer #MikeHowarth, and Kate and Pat on teas & coffees! 🎭

Jimmy and May – a professional singer – have since 2006 hosted a regular night of entertainment in their adopted home town of Rochdale.

It provides a useful opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new (and relive some old) routines.

They began it on a monthly basis and in the past few years have alternated hosting the jam nights with good friend and fellow entertainer Eric Devereaux.

It takes place in the lounge area of St Vincent’s RC parish centre in Norden.

They invite different guests who perform free of charge.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown

There is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

The popular comedian has nicknamed those who regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

However, the event was inevitably put on hold early in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic – until Saturday.

Jimmy said: “Here back with our Jammers tonight, (now into our second decade), at #StVincentsParishCentre, (after a long 19-month break).

“Pauline’s raffle tonight will go to the wonderful Charity #marysmeals, my thanks also to singer #MikeHowarth, and Kate and Pat on teas & coffees! 🎭“

Mary’s Meals supports feeding projects for children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Jimmy’s comedian-turned-priest son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, is a long-standing supporter of Mary’s Meals.

Jimmy also expressed his gratitude for all the congratulations on his birthday.

He commented: “Can I say a huge, “Thank You”, to everyone who took the time to wish me, “Happy Birthday”.

“It was so very much appreciated! xx”

Can I say a huge, “Thank You”, to everyone who took the time to wish me, “Happy Birthday”, it was so very much appreciated! xx

Also read:

Jam nights are about to return!

Message of hope: After the storm comes the rainbow

Rochdale jam night is ‘lovely charity evening’

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Mary’s Meals: Charity marks memorable milestone