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John Wayne

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

Visit to iconic Monument Valley & Viva Las Vegas! 150 150 mhamer

Visit to iconic Monument Valley & Viva Las Vegas!

Monument Valley in the United States

Jimmy Cricket got to fulfil the ambition of a lifetime when he visited the legendary Monument Valley in the United States of America.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a red-sand desert region on the Arizona-Utah border, known for the towering sandstone hills recognised by their steep sides and flat tops. The park has frequently been a filming location for Western movies.

Jimmy, who visited the valley as part of a holiday in Las Vegas, posted on Facebook: “Well folks! We got to fulfil a life long ambition, to visit, the spectacular, “Monument Valley”, backdrop of the John Wayne, (Director John Ford), films such as, “The Searchers”, “Stagecoach”, on the border of Utah and Arizona with Bob our Navajo Indian guide, in dedication to my oldest brother John who was also a great fan! ??.”

The famous entertainer kept his friends and fans up to date regularly with his trip on his social media channels.

He and Mrs Cricket were joined during the holiday by their eldest daughter Jamie, who currently works as a deputy headteacher in the Cayman Islands.

Among the shows they watched in Vegas included the Bellagio’s dancing waters and Cirque Du Soleil, at The Mirage, a 3,044-room Polynesian-themed resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

Jimmy Cricket and daughter Jamie in Las Vegas

Jimmy, 72, and Mrs Cricket set off back from the US on Saturday (7 July).

“Las Vegas you have been a blast, (and while touring there and back), ‘Monument Valley’, you have been truly inspirational, now on our way home!” said Jimmy.

East Riding Film Festival: Jimmy Cricket to talk about The Quiet Man 150 150 mhamer

East Riding Film Festival: Jimmy Cricket to talk about The Quiet Man

Jimmy Cricket will be appearing in a film festival at Bridlington SpaJimmy Cricket will be talking about his favourite film to a live audience at a festival on the East Yorkshire coast later this year.

The famous entertainer will be taking part in the East Riding Film Festival, which arranges for celebrities, film-makers and those with a deep knowledge of their subject to introduce films of their choosing.

Jimmy, 71, will be talking about The Quiet Man at the Bridlington Spa theatre on Sunday 12 November.

It will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

John Ford’s 1952 classic film starred legendary actors John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, who was an Irish-born American actress and singer. A comedy drama, it won an Oscar for the best cinematography that year. All the support actors were from the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

You can buy a ticket to hear Jimmy talking about the film in November here.

Omagh pub, John Wayne & Dublin’s Abbey Theatre 150 150 mhamer

Omagh pub, John Wayne & Dublin’s Abbey Theatre

Jimmy Cricket has been recalling when he and his wife May came across a distinctive Northern Irish pub which is themed on a legendary film.

The famous entertainer made the recollection in a recent monthly column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post.

He and Mrs Cricket noticed the pub, which has a thatched roof, while he was working at the nearby Strule Arts Centre theatre in Omagh.

The Sean Ogs pub is themed like the one in John Ford’s 1952 classic film The Quiet Man starring legendary actor John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, who was an Irish-born American actress and singer.

A black and white photograph on the wall of the pub shows the cast of the 1952 movie, as Jimmy, 71, discovered it was the setting for much of the action. The film, a comedy drama, won an Oscar for the best cinematography that year.

All the support actors were from the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.  It is also known as the National Theatre of Ireland and first opened its doors to the public on 27 December 1904.

Finding a ‘little gem’ near Omagh’s Strule theatre 150 150 mhamer

Finding a ‘little gem’ near Omagh’s Strule theatre

Jimmy Cricket outside the thatched pub in Omagh

Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket and his wife May recently came across a pub with a thatched roof while working at the nearby Strule Arts Centre theatre in Omagh. 

Sean Og’s pub is themed like the one in John Ford’s 1952 classic film The Quiet Man starring legendary actor John Wayne and the wonderful Maureen O’Hara, who was an Irish-born American actress and singer.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy, 71, described Sean Og’s pub as a “little gem”.

Jimmy Cricket behind the bar!