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jimmy cricket

Heard the one about the comic who… 150 150 mhamer

Heard the one about the comic who…

The Manchester Evening News featured the story about Frankie Mulgrew's ordinationFrankie Mulgrew’s ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood has received plenty of publicity in the media.

The 35-year-old younger son of Irish-born and Rochdale-based entertainer Jimmy Cricket became a priest this summer and among newspapers and websites to provide coverage of the special event was the Manchester Evening News which printed a news article (above).

It included quotes from Fr Frankie who says he used to drive comedian Peter Kay to shows.

Frankie, who has been a stand-up comedian in his own right, says one of his first parts in show business was “playing the back end of a cow at the Belfast Opera House”.

The newly ordained priest, whose stage name was Frankie Doodle, has compiled and edited a book called Does God LOL? (LOL is internet slang for Laugh Out Loud), which went on sale recently.

Ken Dodd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tim Vine, Jo Brand, Milton Jones and the late Frank Carson are among the famous showbiz names to have contributed to the book, which is priced at £7.99 or less (and is available at all good bookshops and websites, including Amazon).

Does God laugh out loud? 150 150 mhamer

Does God laugh out loud?

Does God LOL? Compiled by Frankie Mulgrew, son of Jimmy Cricket The comedian-turned-priest younger son of entertainer Jimmy Cricket has had a book published about God and humour.

Frankie Mulgrew, whose stage name was Frankie Doodle, compiled and edited Does God LOL? (LOL is internet slang for Laugh Out Loud), which went on sale recently.

Fr Frankie Mulgrew leaves church after saying his first Mass as a Catholic priest

Ken Dodd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tim Vine, Jo Brand, Milton Jones and the late Frank Carson are among the famous showbiz names to have contributed to the book, which is priced at £7.99 (and is available at all good bookshops and websites, including Amazon).

The foreword was written by top theologian Tom Wright and there are cartoons from Dave Walker, Simone Lia, Mike Kazybrid and Robert Duncan.

All proceeds from sales of the book will go towards the charity Mary’s Meals, an organisation which supports school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Fr Frankie (above right), who was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at Salford Cathedral last month, dedicated the book to his dad – “for introducing me to one of God’s greatest gifts” – when he celebrated his first Mass, and presented him with a special copy.

Does God LOL? develops a theme around whether the Almighty has a sense of humour, with an impressive array of well-known comedians, actors and performers – including Jimmy Cricket as well of course – all giving it some serious thought.

The book is published by Darton, Longman & Todd.

* Does God LOL? is clearly in demand: The popular Amazon website reported on 4 August that it had “only nine [copies] left in stock (more on the way)”, though there appears to be good availability again now (as of 11 August) – and it is currently available at just £5.99.

May’s day 150 150 mhamer

May’s day

May and Jimmy with their good friend Bill Lees from Liverpool

May Mulgrew, the wife of well-known entertainer Jimmy Cricket, celebrated a big personal achievement recently when she was awarded a masters degree in theology at Liverpool Hope University.

Jimmy Cricket and wife May in Sefton Park, Liverpool

The award came two years after May – a professional singer who also supports Jimmy in his work – had gained a bachelor’s degree at the same university.

As she had enjoyed studying at the Merseyside university so much, she then decided to do a part-time Masters there as well.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool and Jimmy said afterwards: “Obviously this was a great occasion for May and I am really proud of her fine achievement.”

Above, May and Jimmy are pictured with their friend Bill Lees from Liverpool.

Jimmy added: “Bill helped to transport May and I around the city to the various places associated with the graduation, which was a great help to us both.”

Right, Jimmy and May – still dressed in her special university cap and gown went for a walk in the colourful Sefton Park following the ceremony and the weather was fittingly glorious.

Ice Cream sketch with the Patton brothers 150 150 mhamer

Ice Cream sketch with the Patton brothers

The Ice Cream sketch which Jimmy Cricket did with the Patton brothers

Photographs of a Christmas pantomime more than 25 years ago brought back some happy memories for famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket.

The Irish comedian performed in a production of Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham during the 1985-86 panto season.

Brian Patton, one half of a very experienced double act called the Patton Brothers, has posted the photos seen on this page on his Facebook profile.

Jimmy Cricket with the Patton brothers

He and his brother, Jimmy, have an accumulated wealth of knowledge gained from almost 60 years in the entertainment business.

And they are the two elder brothers of Paul and Barry Elliot, the Chuckle Brothers. Their father was comedian Gene Patton.

Both Jimmy and Brian have made many appearances in ChuckleVision with their younger brothers.

Above is a photo of the Ice Cream sketch which Jimmy did with the Patton brothers.

This was part of a production of Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham during the 1985-6 Christmas season. Jimmy took the role of Wishee Washee and the Patton Brothers played the Chinese Policemen.

The photo above right is of the three of them again during the same season, but this time not in costume.

And the third picture – below – is of the entire cast from Aladdin, which also featured Barbara Windsor as Aladdin and Billy Dainty as Widow Twankey.

Jimmy said: “The photos brought back many happy memories of the season for me!”

The Irish Family History Centre has recently published an article about the fascinating life and the Irish roots of the late Dame Barbara Windsor.

You can read the piece here.

The entire cast from Aladdin which also featured Barbara Windsor as Aladdin and Billy Dainty as Widow Twankey

The Great British Seaside Special 150 150 mhamer

The Great British Seaside Special

Jimmy Cricket’s summer season in the idyllic Norfolk seaside resort of Hunstanton gets under way on Monday (5 August).

The show is called the Great British Seaside Special and takes place at the Princess Theatre in the coastal town.

Jimmy Cricket is starring in The Great British Seaside Special

It will be on every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from the first week of August through to 4 September. There is a mix of 7.30pm performances and 2.30pm matinee shows.

Jimmy said: “I’m really excited as the Princess Theatre is currently going through a major revival in its fortunes.”

It will also feature the multi-instrumentalist Ian Larkham, the balloon-modelling skills of Bob Wooding and the Seaside Special company of talented singers and dancers. The show will be directed and choreographed by Ian’s wife, Michelle.

The show is produced by theatre manager Brian Hallard, who was instrumental in the reopening of the theatre last year.

Tickets are priced between £11.50 to £13.50, with children able to grab a seat for £7.50 and senior citizens from £11.50 to £12.50. Visit the theatre’s online box office here or  telephone on 01485 532252.

Special thanks at Fr Frankie’s first Mass 150 150 mhamer

Special thanks at Fr Frankie’s first Mass

Fr Frankie hugs his dad Jimmy Cricket after dedicating his book, Does God LOL?, to himFather Frankie Mulgrew had a special present for his dad Jimmy Cricket, the famous entertainer, when he celebrated his first Mass as a Roman Catholic priest.

Fr Frankie Mulgrew celebrates his first Mass

Having been ordained at Salford Cathedral the previous day, Fr Frankie said his first Mass at St Vincent’s RC Church in Norden, Rochdale, where has been based for several years.

During the Mass, Fr Frankie – hugging his dad and thanking him for all he has done for him (picture above) – presented him with a special gift as a token of his gratitude… a copy of the book entitled Does God LOL?

Liz Dawn (who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street) talks to Frankie's friend Liz Creagh after the service. Liz was at both the ordination and the First Mass and Frankie was really thrilled she came to both eventsFrankie has compiled the book, which develops a theme around whether God has a sense of humour with the help of well-known contributors including Tim Vine, Ricky Tomlinson and Jo Brand.

He dedicated it to his father who said he had no idea this was going to happen.

Among the hundreds of people who attended the packed service at St Vincent’s was Liz Dawn, Lord David Alton, who has been a great guiding light for Frankie Mulgrew, reads the first reading at the Masswho played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street.

Above, she is pictured talking to another of Frankie’s friends, Liz Creagh, after the service.

Liz Dawn was at both the ordination and the first Mass, and Frankie said he was really thrilled she had attended both events.

Lord David AltonFr Frankie Mulgrew leaves church after saying his first Mass as a Catholic priest, who has been a great guiding light for Frankie, read the first reading at the Mass (above).

A buffet was held after Fr Frankie’s first Mass at St Vincent’s Parish Centre, which is just yards from the church.

The ordination service, on Saturday 13 July, was presided over by the Rt Rev Bishop Terence Brain – Bishop of Salford – and in the presence of the Rt Rev Mark Davis, Bishop of Shrewsbury.

It was a joint ordination as Frankie’s friend, Nathan Horne, was also ordained to the priesthood and so the cathedral was packed with nearly 800 people in attendance.

* All photos courtesy of Graham Sivills from Norden Studio

View more photos from this special occasion here

Fr Frankie Mulgrew celebrates his first Mass

Father Frankie makes mum & dad very proud 150 150 mhamer

Father Frankie makes mum & dad very proud
Jimmy Cricket and his wife, May, were invited to robe their son, Frankie, for his ministry as a priest in the Catholic Church

Jimmy Cricket and his wife, May, were invited to robe their son, Frankie, for his ministry as a priest in the Catholic Church

Jimmy Cricket had a very proud paternal moment when his second son, Frankie, was ordained a Catholic priest in an ordination service at Salford Cathedral.

The service on the afternoon of Saturday 13 July was presided over by the Rt Rev Bishop Terence Brain – Bishop of Salford – and in the presence of the Rt Rev Mark Davis, Bishop of Shrewsbury.

It was a joint ordination as Frankie’s friend, Nathan Horne, was also ordained to the priesthood and so the cathedral was packed with nearly 800 people in attendance.

Frankie's sisters, Jamie and Katie, sang a reflection during the ordination service

Frankie’s sisters, Jamie and Katie, sang a reflection during the ordination

The service was a very memorable one for many reasons, including the fact that the music and singing were provided by both a cathedral choir and a brass band.

Jimmy and his wife, May, helped to robe their younger son for his ministry as a priest.

And their two daughters, Jamie and Katie, sang a reflection during the service.

View more photos from this special occasion here

Apart from family and friends, there were guests present from the world of entertainment: the actress Suranne Jones (ex-Coronation Street) read the first reading and the singer Dana, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970 – sang the Psalm.

Also present was Don Maclean, Liz Dawn (who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street), Tim Vine, Lord David Alton, Mick Ferry, Alfie Joey, actor Malcolm Dixon and Stu Francis.

* All photos courtesy of Graham Sivills from Norden Studio

Fr Frankie at the end of the service as a member of the clergy

Fr Frankie at the end of the service as a member of the clergy