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jimmy cricket

Lyndene return: Wonderful to get back to ‘normality’ 150 150 mhamer

Lyndene return: Wonderful to get back to ‘normality’

Was wonderful to get back to what seemed like a sense of normality tonight, at the #LyndeneHotel while social distancing and washing hands!

Jimmy Cricket was delighted to return to his favourite Blackpool hotel recently.

The famous Northern Irish comedian has been appearing at the popular Lyndene Hotel for several years.

He was scheduled to do two shows a night on 23 dates during 2020.

However, the summer performances could not go ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government placed the United Kingdom into lockdown in late March.

But the reopening of hotels and other entertainment venues meant Jimmy could return to the Lyndene at last.

And he was clearly happy after his first show back there last week.

Jimmy, 74, said: “Was wonderful to get back to what seemed like a sense of normality tonight, at the #LyndeneHotel while social distancing and washing hands! 🎭“

His return was also welcomed on social media, where the comments included:

  • Well done Jimmy Cricket people need to laugh and forget the negativity of what’s happening, looking forward to seeing you at the Comedy Lounge
  • Well done and welcome back!
  • Bravo Jimmy 👏 👏 👏 Many more to come i hope.👍
  • Make em laugh Jimmy , just what the Doc ordered
Two or three acts usually perform twice per night, once each in different lounges at the Lyndene.
Every night of the year

The Lyndene Hotel, perched on the seafront, is one of Blackpool’s unique venues as it welcomes tourists and visitors all year round.

Jimmy Cricket will do a New Year's Eve show at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

Its website says that it offers more than 141 fully equipped and tastefully decorated en suite bedrooms.

“The Lyndene Hotel offers superb compered entertainment EVERY NIGHT of the year,” it adds.

Jimmy is in his FIFTH season at the Lyndene Hotel.

See this year’s dates below* and visit the hotel’s website here.

* Note that any scheduled dates for the rest of 2020 are subject to change or cancellation depending on measures imposed during the pandemic.Returning to what has become my second home working alongside many talented singers and old friends like @MALFORDUK , my thanks goes to Claire @TowerTopEnts and @LyndeneHotel the Manager Paul, and all the Team members for their hospitality and support over the last four years

Why it might be tough to stage pantos this year… 150 150 mhamer

Why it might be tough to stage pantos this year…

Dick Whittington cast

Jimmy played Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington in both Ellesmere Port and his adopted hometown of Rochdale across the 2017 festive season

Jimmy Cricket has provided a light-hearted view as to why pantos would be tricky to produce during coronavirus.

The famous funnyman has appeared in many pantos across the decades.

There is a possibility that some may take place over Christmas if the national restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic are not too strict at that time.

Indoor theatres, ice rinks and soft play centres were allowed to reopen in mid-August in most part of the country.

The government placed the United Kingdom into lockdown in late March.

Some areas still have tougher measures in place than others.

Jimmy joked: “It would be hard to do panto this year.

“Cinderella would have to keep a safe social distance from Prince Charming.

“Every time Aladdin rubs the lamp he’ll have to run off stage to wash his hands.

“And it would have to be Snow White and the Six Dwarfs. Well we couldn’t have Sneezy!”

His social media post attracted some comments, including the following:

Saw u a few year back when you done a Christmas show in wisbech. Throughly enjoyed it and grew up watching you on prime time Saturday night tv

He’s 2 meters behind you! Oh no he isn’t!

1st class, loved watching you as a child

:: Jimmy is appearing again at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool.

He also has a show at the Bridlington Spa theatre on Sunday 27 September.

Book tickets for the show here

Also read: Reunion with panto co-star in Clacton-on-Sea

Bridlington Spa: Back from lockdown to laughing! 150 150 mhamer

Bridlington Spa: Back from lockdown to laughing!

Jimmy Cricket is back at the Bridlington Spa later this month.

Looking forward to my return visit to the wonderful #SpaTheatreBridlington as they reopen their doors with social distancing in place!

The popular Northern Irish comedian appears at the East Yorkshire venue on Sunday 27 September (6pm).

Jimmy posted about his return to the theatre on social media.

He said: “Looking forward to my return visit to the wonderful #SpaTheatreBridlington as they reopen their doors with social distancing in place”

The theatre’s website says the following about Jimmy’s return:

Game on….Cricket is back!

It is Jimmy Cricket – the Comedian, with his inimitable style of humour, headlining in what is always a family friendly show, at Bridlington Spa on Sunday the 27th of September 2020.

Jimmy Cricket is one of the UK’s most loved Irish Comedians, having made a host of televisions and radio appearances throughout the last four decades.

Jimmy says, “This virus has cost the lives of so many people and brought untold heartache and misery to their families.

“It’s going to take a while for us all to get over this.

Economically theatres have been hit especially hard so it’s so good to see the Spa Theatre opening its doors to help keep people’s spirits up during these difficult times.”

Speaking of which, when the total lockdown came into effect in March Jimmy posted a joke a day on social media, (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin), to cheer everybody up.

Government guidelines

“Before I knew it I’d done 100 jokes,” said Jimmy.

“So I thought that would be a good goal to finish on.

“You can’t beat the feedback you get from a live audience and the Spa is one of my favourite theatres.

“The show will follow Government guidelines.

“People will keep two Wellie Boot strides away from each other and even the letter from my Mammy will be disinfected.

“Even though there will be restrictions on numbers with seating spaced out, families will be able to sit together. I’m so looking forward to it.”

Indoor theatres, ice rinks and soft play centres were allowed to reopen in mid-August as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The government placed the United Kingdom into lockdown in late March.

Some areas still have tougher measures in place than others.

Book tickets for the show here

Also read: Jimmy Cricket thanks everyone at the Bridlington Spa

Coronavirus pandemic: The next jam night is cancelled 150 150 mhamer

Coronavirus pandemic: The next jam night is cancelled

Pictures from one of Jimmy's jam nights in 2019

Pictures from one of Jimmy’s jam nights in 2019

Jimmy Cricket has cancelled the next scheduled ‘jam’ night at a parish centre in Rochdale because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

He says in a message to regular show goers he has made the decision “with great sadness”.

But he adds: “We will continue to monitor the situation and we hope to be able to resume our shows as soon as it is safe to do so!”

It comes amid the continuing restrictions first imposed in March across the UK because of coronavirus.

Famous funnyman Jimmy and his wife May host an night of entertainment every couple of months in Rochdale.

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.

It started more than a decade ago as an opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new routines.

At every event,  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’.

Jimmy has in the past few years alternated hosting the jam nights with good friend and fellow entertainer Eric Devereaux.

‘Unprecedented times’

He messaged the regular jammers this weekend to confirm the planned show in September had been cancelled.

There have not been any shows for the past six months because of coronavirus.

His message read:

“Hi Jammers

We hope everyone is safe and healthy, and that you have managed to keep your spirits up, and have not let the isolation get you down to much!

Just an update in regard to the lockdown situation.

We are indeed living in unprecedented times, never before in the history of showbusiness has all Variety Acts and Theatres ever had to cancel all their shows for the safety of the audience!

This is why our shows at St Vincent’s Parish Centre has not been able to go ahead folks!

Most of us fall into the vulnerable age group, so it is with great sadness that we have to cancel the September 2020 show.

We will continue to monitor the situation and we hope to be able to resume our shows as soon as it is safe to do so!

Meanwhile stay safe and we all look forward to the day when this is but a memory for us all, as we consign it to the history books!

Sending Love and Best Wishes to you all from

Jimmy & May & Eric & Gloria & Kath & Pauline”

Also read: Rochdale jam night is ‘lovely charity evening’

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Golden memories: Summer season with Cilla Black 150 150 mhamer

Golden memories: Summer season with Cilla Black

Jimmy Cricket and Cilla Black on posterJimmy Cricket has appeared with many great fellow entertainers in 50 years of showbusiness – including Cilla Black.

The lovable Northern Irish comedian, now 74, was recently made aware of a poster promoting a summer season at the Royalty Theatre in Great Yarmouth in the early 80s.

Anthony Stubbins, a good friend of Jimmy, put the poster (above right) on social media.

Also appearing that year was the legendary Cilla Black OBE.

Cilla was one of Britain’s most successful and best-loved entertainers of all time.

She was a singer, comedian and actress, having two number one hits and presenting several iconic British TV shows.

There was a fair bit of reaction to the poster on social media.
Tony Washington
What an amazing poster….😳 brilliant Jimmy. Ah, what memories…👏👏👏
Hope your well my friend, take care.. Good luck with your upcoming shows.👍
Dene Michael
Great times !!!
Johnny Laff
Saw the show fantastic
Hendy Henson
I’m guessing 1983?
Julie Dolphin
Fantastic xxx
Nick Salt
The golden days for the pros and the pro venues and shows…….and lovely long seasons too!!!

Blackpool big night out

Golden memories: The Osmonds

If you have any special memories of celebrities with whom Jimmy has performed or would simply like him to feature somebody in our series, you can:

Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’ 150 150 mhamer

Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’

Jimmy Cricket says the closure of the iconic Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a "tragedy" for future generationsJimmy Cricket says the closure of the iconic Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a “tragedy” for future generations.

The theatre, which was almost demolished in 1972, could be closed because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Management warned it would shut unless the government intervened.

Most of the 57 staff were furloughed during the lockdown.

They could be left redundant when the job-saving scheme ends on 31 October.

A charitable trust has run the theatre since 1972, when local campaigners saved it from the bulldozers.

Among them were entertainers such as Sir Ken Dodd and BBC broadcaster Alistair Cooke.

It reopened in March 1981 with a performance of The Merchant of Venice starring Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

Like other provincial theatres which depend largely on box office receipts to keep going, the venue has had no income since the lockdown began.

All tickets were refunded for cancelled shows and plays.

‘We must all get together‘

The theatre, which first opened in 1894, had applied for a £500,000 government grant to keep it going until it might be able to put shows on in January.

However, if social distancing measures were still in place then, it would not make the shows viable and also the money would have run out.

Jimmy said: “We must all get together to save the Grand in Blackpool folks.

“To deprive future generations of this wonderful theatre would be a tragedy.”

His post on Twitter attracted hundreds of likes and retweets as well as some comments.

Also read: Grand Theatre in Blackpool hosts charity concert

External link: Blackpool’s Grand Theatre facing closure amid coronavirus pandemic

The late, great Paul Melba was one of the finest 150 150 mhamer

The late, great Paul Melba was one of the finest

Sad to hear of the passing of one of showbiz finest comedians and impressionist the great Paul Melba, known for his classy mimicking of the great stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, alongside his acclaimed James Mason voice, amongst others! R.I.P.

Jimmy Cricket described Paul Melba, who has died aged 84, as one of the finest comedians and impressionists in showbusiness.

Paul Melba, whose real name was Francis ‘Frank’ Staunton, passed away on 11 August from heart failure.

The dad-of-three grew up in Huyton on Merseyside and went on to enjoy a  successful career on stage and television.

It included him performing at the Royal Variety Performance and he became friends with some famous celebrities.

He was known for voice impressions of stars such as James Mason, John Wayne, Eric Morecambe, Ken Dodd and Billy Connolly.

Paul also did memorable singing impressions of the likes of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr among many others.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy said on social media: “Sad to hear of the passing of one of showbiz’s finest comedians and impressionists the great Paul Melba.

‘Great entertainer and gentlemen‘

“Known for his classy mimicking of the great stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, alongside his acclaimed James Mason voice, amongst others! R.I.P.”

Jimmy’s post prompted tributes from others.

They included:

:: Met him once lovely talented man Jimmy will be greatly missed!

:: A great entertainer and gentlemen, RIP

:: Thank you, he will be sorely missed #PaulMelba x
Jimmy found out there was a fund-raising appeal in the wake of Paul’s death.
He said: “We’re living in difficult times folks, but if you can help financially, by donating a little for this worthy cause! Paul’s Melba’s Funeral Expenses.”

Paul’s daughter, Kate Richards, 50, organised the fundraiser, saying: “I am so sad to say that my Father passed away peacefully at his home in Spain on the 10th of August.

“Unfortunately his financial circumstances were not great and he left no will.

‘Dad would have been so overwhelmed’

“I am sorry to say that we are struggling to find the money to cremate my Father and need to raise the funds to do this due to our own personal financial circumstances.

“Anything you can donate would help towards easing the financial responsibility which has been placed solely with me.

“Many thanks for anything you can spare.

The target was £3,000 and Kate posted again several days later.

She said: “Thank you so much for all of your help, Dad would have been so overwhelmed.

“We have reached the goal with further donations from The Royal Variety Charity & The Water Rats charity.”

Also read: Lord Alton’s ‘wonderful tribute’ to John Hume