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Will the real Jimmy Cricket please do stand-up?! 150 150 mhamer

Will the real Jimmy Cricket please do stand-up?!

Jimmy Cricket's latest column in the Lancashire Evening PostJimmy Cricket has been telling the true story of what happened at BJ’s Bingo Club in the Kitts Green district of Birmingham recently.

The famous entertainer had arrived at the club ahead of his performance there when a woman approached him and said: “You’re not the real Jimmy Cricket?”.

Jimmy, 71, relates the tale in his latest column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post newspaper.

And he also talks about a mysterious ‘Mr X’.

Click on the image above to read an expanded view of the full article.

Tune in to ‘Gilly’s Comedy Gala for Comic Relief’ 150 150 mhamer

Tune in to ‘Gilly’s Comedy Gala for Comic Relief’

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Post columnAn optician who is about to realise her dream of performing stand-up comedy at the Blackpool Opera House is the subject of Jimmy Cricket’s latest newspaper column.

Famous entertainer Jimmy talks in the Lancashire Evening Post about Sarah Morgan – an optometrist by profession – whom he first met last October on a BBC Radio Lancashire show hosted by John Gillmore.

“When Sarah asked my advice around getting on in the entertainment business, I asked her what would be her dream gig,” explains Jimmy, 71.

“She replied: ‘Jimmy, to play the Blackpool Opera House.’

“Then today something wonderful happened. I received an email from Gilly’s [John Gillmore] producer Gary, which broadly read: ‘Great news, Jimmy. Sarah is to appear at – wait for it – the Blackpool Opera House.’

“‘We’ve organised a show there on Friday 24 March. It’s called ‘Gilly’s Comedy Gala for Comic Relief’ and Sarah is headlining it. It’ll be broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire from 2.15pm till 4pm. We’d love you to come and introduce her!'”

“Try to stop me,” says Jimmy.

“You know, folks, it’s special to realise your dream, but to help somebody else to realise theirs is just as special.

“Try to tune in if you can.”

Lancashire milkman who became a show organiser 150 150 mhamer

Lancashire milkman who became a show organiser

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Evening Post columnJimmy Cricket talks  in his latest newspaper column about a forthcoming show in Lancashire – and the local milkman who organised it.

The famous entertainer appears at the All Saints Church Hall in Hesketh Bank on Saturday 8 April in a Tom Shorrock production.

Jimmy, 71, explains in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post that Tom Shorrock is a milkman in the Walmer Bridge area of Lancashire who about 10 years ago arranged for the comedian to appear at the local village hall.

He says: “That first show was a rip-roaring sellout. Flushed with success, Tom booked some more shows with really good acts.

“Not big names off the telly, but good, solid bread-and-butter bands acts like 40s swing bands the Jive Aces and The Swing Commanders… Tom’s shows were the talk of the community.

“Alas, dear readers, nothing lasts for ever. For various reasons, the shows discontinued and those halcyon days became a distant memory.

“Wait, there’s more; you can’t keep a good man down. A few months ago, the Jive Aces rang Tom up to enquire whether they could appear in another show at Walmer Bridge.”

The village hall was booked up, but they used the All Saints Church Hall instead and it proved such a popular venue that Tom contacted Jimmy to see if he would also appear there.

Tom Shorrock’s number for tickets for the 8 April event, for which all profits will go to Breast Cancer UK, is 01772 613460.

Bruce Forsyth: Our living room friend for decades 150 150 mhamer

Bruce Forsyth: Our living room friend for decades

Jimmy Cricket's January column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket has described fellow entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth as “an all-round performer of the highest calibre”.

Sir Bruce – known affectionately as ‘Brucie’ – hosted popular shows like the The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right. More recently, he has presented Strictly Come Dancing.

In his January column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy says he has “been our living room friend for seven decades”.

The Irish comedian adds: “Bruce has enthralled, entertained and regaled us. He belongs to that elite band of all-round entertainers, like Sammy Davis Jnr and Roy Castle, who made versatility their stock in trade. You name it, Brucie could do it.”

There have been reports that Sir Bruce, 88, has been too ill to appear on TV over the past few months and Jimmy says: “Let’s hope he’s back to full fitness soon.”

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, folks! 150 150 mhamer

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, folks!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features new US president Donald TrumpDear readers,

I cannot believe 2016 is coming to an end and the Christmas season is once more upon us.

This year has been a fantastic one for me personally as it all started back in January with a service led by the Bishop of Salford to formally award me with my Papal Knighthood.

During the year I have also been fortunate to have:

·         Been involved in some great shows, such as the You Must Be Joking, which toured Northern Ireland back in the spring, and the opening weekend of The Good Old Days autumn season at the world-famous City Varieties Theatre in Leeds

·         Made a couple of appearances alongside my friend Tony Crane and the iconic 60s band The Merseybeats

·         Had trips to Spain to appear in some lovely venues around the Costa Blanca region

·         Paid visits to the Warner Leisure sites at Nidd Hall in Harrogate and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight

·         Did a spring season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

·         Continued to write a monthly column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post

·         And managed, at long last, to launch a new Christmas CD for the Francis House Children’s Hospice – a project I’ve been wanting to get off the ground for a couple of years. As I write this, I am nearing sales of more than 1,300 from this year’s festive period.

This Christmas I am at the White Rose Theatre in Leeds featuring in a panto production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

And then when we get into 2017, I immediately fly off to Tenerife for an appearance there early in the New Year!

And there’s more…

… Other highlights for 2017 include a return to the Benidorm Palace in March alongside Gerry and the Pacemakers; another residency back at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool over the winter, spring and the autumn; teaming up with my pals from  show band group Clubsound for a night in Northern Ireland In April; a visit to the Wayside Cheer Hotel in Guernsey over the Easter weekend; a voyage with Cruise & Maritime Voyages around the Faroe Islands in July; and plenty more to keep me out of mischief!

If you see me advertised at any venue near you in 2017, please do come along and say ‘Hi’!

That reminds me… can I thank all those who over the last year have either seen one of my shows, or browsed this website, or bought one of my CDs or DVDs.

All that remains for me to say, dear readers, is have a happy Christmas and a great start to the New Year!

Jimmy Cricket's signature

Charity Christmas CD and Snow White panto treat 150 150 mhamer

Charity Christmas CD and Snow White panto treat

Jimmy Cricket's column in the Lancashire Evening PostJimmy Cricket has been looking back in his latest newspaper column on his recent visit to a top shopping centre – and looking ahead to the pantomime he is starring in, which starts tonight (8 December).

Jimmy’s promotion of his new charity Christmas CD continued at the Intu Trafford Centre on the outskirts of Manchester.

Jimmy Cricket’s new Christmas CD is in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice

The popular 71-year-old comedian was invited to perform some tracks from the CD, entitled Santa bring my wellies back to me,  on the stage area of the Orient section of the mall.

Volunteers and staff from the Francis House Children’s Hospice – the very worthy cause Jimmy’s CD is in aid of – were also present.

In his December column for the Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy says: “I had a very enjoyable time doing my couple of numbers up on the stage and then rushing down to the stall to help our wonderful volunteers sell CDs for those who wanted to take home the experience.”

* The new charity Christmas CD is available to buy from this website through a PayPal facility or in person directly from the hospice.

‘Mouth-watering treat for all ages’

Jimmy will play the Court Jester in the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the White Rose Theatre in Leeds City centre from 8 December to 1 January.

The White Rose Theatre is a new 1,400-seater arena, erected in a large marquee complex located within the premises of the Tetley contemporary arts gallery and near the city’s main train station.

This first evening performance on Friday 9 December will be a special charity preview of the show, where three local charities will stand to benefit greatly as all ticket sales will be shared out between them.

The panto also features reality TV celebrity Scotty T, who won this year’s Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 and will play the role of Prince Charming.

Actors Louis Emerick (from Last of the Summer Wine and Brookside fame) and Tupele Dorgu (who has featured in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks) will play the roles of the Royal Tax Collector and the Wicked Queen respectively.

And there will be cameo performances from children’s TV programme Rainbow’s George and Zippy, plus a recorded sequence starring Jimmy’s very good friend and fellow comedian Ken Dodd.

In his Lancashire Evening Post column , Jimmy says:  “This year we’ll have the new heartthrob from television Scotty T as the Prince.

“Also Geoffrey and Zippy from Rainbow will be helping me to give the wicked queen her comeuppance and we’ll even have the great Ken Dodd appear on video within the magic mirror.

“Yes, a mouth-watering treat for all ages.”

* The show will run from 8 December 2016 to 1 January 2017 and tickets are now on sale –  visit www.whiterosetheatre.com or ring 0113 870 7769.

Jimmy Cricket will star in a pantomime production of the classic fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Leeds over Christmas and New Year

Ken Dodd, Christmas CD and those stolen wellies 150 150 mhamer

Ken Dodd, Christmas CD and those stolen wellies

Jimmy Cricket's column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket has been talking about his long-time friend and comedy legend Ken Dodd – and the concrete wellington boots stolen from his back garden four years ago.

Ken had given the wellies to Rochdale-based entertainer Jimmy as a 50th birthday present, but they vanished overnight and have not been seen since.

As well as featuring catchphrases like “come closer!” and “…and there’s more!” in his act, Northern Irishman Jimmy is also famous for wearing wellingtons marked with the letters R and L, but on the wrong feet, on stage.

In his latest column for the Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy recalls the moment he reported the theft.

“The lady at the police station desk could hardly keep a straight face as she wrote down my description of the stolen items – a pair of grey concrete wellington boots with the inscription: ‘To Jimmy from Ken, lots of happiness.'”

Jimmy, 71, says that even though he got a replacement pair of wellies off eBay – again signed by Ken – he would still like the originals back – as illustrated in the title of his new new charity Christmas CD, Santa bring my wellies back to me.

Of his friendship with Ken, Jimmy says: “Even today Ken is enthralling audiences with his five and six-hour marathon shows.

“There’ll never be another and I’m proud to call him my friend.”

* Jimmy’s charity Christmas CD  is available to buy from this website through a PayPal facility or in person directly from the Francis House Children’s Hospice.