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lockdown

Fiffen and Faffen: Listen now to the first two podcasts! 150 150 mhamer

Fiffen and Faffen: Listen now to the first two podcasts!

The second podcast based on Jimmy Cricket's variety comedy double act called Fiffen and Faffen is now available.

The second podcast based on Jimmy Cricket’s variety comedy double act called Fiffen and Faffen is now available.

It is about two men who gave up the world of showbusiness because of all the changes in the work place and in their lives.

They hope to rekindle their dream of going back on stage, to do what they know and love best of all, entertaining people.

The first podcast, published in April, was The Comeback Kids.

And the second is called Don’t let the lockdown get you down!

In the latest podcast, the guys find themselves in lockdown and facing Covid restrictions like everybody else.

We find out in this episode how they make the best of their situation.

Listen to both podcasts here.

No more Fiffing and Faffing was staged for the first time in September 2018 at the Blackburn Empire Theatre.

Jimmy’s first play got a great reception from the audience on its debut.

It also toured northern England in 2019 and early 2020.

Appearing with funnyman Jimmy is Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith.

Colin has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

In the play, Joe Fiffen and Jerry Faffen are performing on their last night in showbusiness in an end of-of-pier show.

Set in the dressing room, (where they settle old scores) and on stage, it is a mixture of drama and variety!

Read more about Fiffen and Faffen on Jimmy’s website here.

Also read: An interview with Jimmy about his stage play (external link).

Jimmy recalls January jab in latest LEP column 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy recalls January jab in latest LEP column

Hi folks! This is the latest @leponline column about the January morning when I got my first jab @RDaleRiverside by the very jovial @JivaDr (Dr Mo MBE), my thanks to @RochdaleCouncil for organising the vaccine programme so well. #COVID19Vaccines

Jimmy Cricket has been talking about his first vaccination jab against Covid-19 in his latest newspaper column.

The article is in the 12 April edition of the Lancashire Post.

In the column, Jimmy recalls visiting Riverside One in Rochdale, where he lives.

He says: “How things have changed during these lockdowns.

“It used to be that if some­body crossed the road when they saw you coming it was either that they didn’t want to speak to you or they owed you money.

“Now when they do it you shout thanks to them for helping to stop the spread of the virus.

“It’s the same when you meet an old friend in the street.

“Instead of shaking hands, you now do a quick touch of the elbows then step back, have a few quick words and then you’re on your way.

Full vaccinated

“However, as I write this, we’ve all had a very emotional reflection day to mark the fact that the first lockdown happened one year ago, and with the news that they’re not far off vaccinating 1m people a day there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“I myself being a whipper snapper of 75 years of age when I got my first jab here where I live in Rochdale at the Riverside Library.

“Although it was a cold shivery January morning when we all queued up out­side, inside our hearts were leaping for joy at the thought of getting the inoculation that would ultimately pro­vide us with the passport to get back to normality.

“I went public with it and my friend Billy Sherrin, the Rochdale Mayor, arranged to have the Rochdale Council official photographer to take a piccie of me getting my jab.”

Famous funnyman Jimmy has now had both doses of the coronavirus vaccination.

The popular Northern Irish entertainer updated his Facebook profile last month with the graphic below, saying ‘fully vaccinated’.

He has encouraged everybody else to have the vaccination the same when their time comes.

Very small numbers of people have been admitted to hospital with Covid several weeks after having one vaccine dose, a study of UK patients shows.

Jimmy Cricket has had his second vaccination jab to protect against Covid

Several months ago, Jimmy devised a perfect little ditty to keep our spirits going during the coronavirus lockdown.

The comedian adapted the words of an old war-time favourite, Roll out the Barrel.

He recorded his very own version for YouTube, called Roll out the Vaccine.

Roll out the Barrell

The UK government has said every adult in the country can have a coronavirus vaccine by autumn this year.

Roll out the Barrel was particularly popular worldwide during World War II.

Sing along to Jimmy’s Roll out the Vaccine song

Picture posted in honour of those lost to Covid 150 150 mhamer

Picture posted in honour of those lost to Covid

The profile picture was in honour of those lost to Covid-19

Jimmy Cricket updated his profile picture on social media to remember those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

The famous comedian uploaded a photograph of him alongside several other well-known celebrities.

They included the late Frank Carson and also fellow funnyman Bobby Ball, who died in October aged 76.

Bobby, one half of the popular comedy double act Cannon and Ball, passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The actor and comedian had tested positive for Covid-19.

Bobby starred in several popular sitcoms.

They included Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

Jimmy posted the photo on Tuesday 23 March, which marked exactly one year since the first coronavirus lockdown.

Tommy Cannon and Wee Jimmy Frankie also featured on the picture.

The text on the photo said: “In honour of those lost to Covid-19” and “UK national day of reflection.”

A national minute’s silence was held at midday, which parliaments across the UK paused business to observe.

On 23 March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tough restrictions on people’s lives aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Since then, the UK’s official death toll has risen from 364 to more than 126,000.

Also read: Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him

Relishing summer return to Club Tropicana 150 150 mhamer

Relishing summer return to Club Tropicana

Hi folks looking forward to getting back to treading the boards again! #savevariety

Jimmy Cricket is “looking forward to treading the boards again” when he returns to Club Tropicana in July.

Like so many other entertainers, he has done few live shows during the past year because of the coronavirus restrictions.

With an end to the third lockdown in sight, Jimmy is taking bookings again and Club Tropicana is confirmed for mid-summer.

The famous funnyman returns to the 2,000-seater venue in Skegness on Friday 16 July.

The club, based on the Golden Palm Resort Holiday Park, hosts a variety of acts including live bands, singers and comedians.

Jimmy said: “Looking forward to getting back to treading the boards again! #savevariety.”

Club Tropicana said: “Jimmy Cricket is without doubt a 1980s comedy icon.

“With his trademark wellington boots, his famous letters from his Mammy and his catchphrases of ‘come closer’ and ‘there’s more’, he holds the hearts of all those that were original fans of his television and radio shows.

“His shows are as hilarious as ever, winning him new fans wherever he performs.

“Jimmy remains one of the few completely family friendly comedians currently on tour.”

Supporting Jimmy on 16 July at Club Tropicana is Faye Horne’s Diva Show.

Admission is free to members and holiday pass holders.

For more details on Jimmy’s latest show there, ring the box office hotline on 01754 874444 (option one).

Also read: Great night at Club Tropicana in Skegness

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy

Jimmy Cricket has continued to keep our spirits up during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

In the run-in to Christmas and over the festive period, Jimmy used social media to keep those topical jokes coming!

Here are some of his funny one-liners:

When the lockdown kicked in, I started walking two miles every day. Yesterday I arrived in Aberdeen.

I’ve just attended a lockdown marriage on Zoom…..The wedding cake had four tiers!

Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

It’s a shame you’re only allowed one bubble for each household. I was looking forward to having a bath on Christmas Day.

We had a very safe Christmas dinner this year. Even the turkey wore a mask.

One thing about this virus, it helps you re-evaluate your priorities. For instance we don’t have to keep up with the Jones’s, cause the Jones’s are in lockdown like the rest of us.

It’s hard to get away from this virus – I used to wake up to the birds singing… now I hear them sneezing!

Things are so quiet at airports these days that the security people are searching each other.

The only thing bothers me about comedy drive-in shows is that if you get a tough heckler he might just keep bumping his horn.

Century mark

With the help of Mrs Cricket, Jimmy produced 100 daily video messages during the coronavirus restrictions last spring and summer.

The famous Northern Irish comedian hit the century mark in July.

He had been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts each day as the world continued to fight coronavirus.

The UK government first announced on 23 March last year it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy had been posting the videos on social media with the message: “We can do this together!”

Also read: Regular Twitter jokes told on video during during coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

Also read: Over and out as Cricket team hit century of videos

Christmas card features that eyesight trip by Dominic Cummings 150 150 mhamer

Christmas card features that eyesight trip by Dominic Cummings

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

Dominic Cummings’ controversial trip to Barnard Castle during the first coronavirus lockdown is the subject of Jimmy Cricket’s 2020 Christmas card.

It features Jimmy dressed as Father Christmas telling Cummings: “They are the strongest glass we make in Lapland, Dominic!”

Boris Johnson’s former chief aide Cummings admitted he drove to Barnard Castle with his wife and child at the end of his lockdown-busting trip to County Durham.

He insisted he made the journey to test his eyesight before making the long drive home to London.

He had made the 260-mile trip north in late spring at a time when he and his wife Mary were displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

It led to claims they were enjoying a day out rather than self-isolating.

Police later found Cummings may have breached the law during the trip to Barnard Castle, but said they would not fine or prosecute him.

Cummings refused to leave his role despite the national controversy it caused.

Political theme

He finally left No 10 in November after an internal power struggle.

Jimmy also chose a political theme for his 2019 Christmas card – the way Westminster MPs have behaved over Brexit.

It showed him telling her majesty the Queen that all members of parliament are on the naughty list.

Tradition has it that Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) has two lists: the naughty list and the nice list.

He checks over his list twice. If you are nice you get presents. If you are naughty you get a lump of coal in your stocking.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly apologised to the Queen after the Supreme Court ruled his decision to prorogue (suspend) Parliament earlier this year was unlawful.

Read the full story: Christmas card features naughty MPs and the Queen

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy has traditionally created his own customised Christmas card over the years.

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features the Only Fools and Horses’ sketch staring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, plus special Comic Relief guest David Beckham

It is based on a photograph that has represented in some way an event from the previous 12 months.

In 2012 he picked a picture of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, which was one of the iconic images from the London Olympics.

The followed year, it was a photo associated with the theft of his concrete wellies, which was widely covered in the media.

And his 2014 card (pictured right) featured a sketch which took place during that year’s Comic Relief event.

The card recalled the Only Fools and Horses charity scene starring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

In addition, it featured former England and Manchester United footballer David Beckham.

Famous entertainer Jimmy was included on the card as if part of the get-together and referenced his famous Mammy!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

 

 

Happy 65th birthday to Mrs C! 150 150 mhamer

Happy 65th birthday to Mrs C!

Mrs C, aka May Mulgrew, has celebrated her 65th birthday!

Mrs Cricket – aka May Mulgrew – turned 65 on Saturday.

May is a singer in her own right and performs at many of Jimmy’s shows.

Her stage name is May Marion.

Jimmy tweeted: “A big shout out to my good lady May who is 65 today. As the song goes -“You’re the wind beneath my wings.”

He also posted: “A big thank you to everyone who has wished Mrs C. “Happy Birthday”, here is us celebrating last Wednesday before Lockdown!”  Bottle with popping cork  Clinking glasses

The latest national lockdown in England began on Thursday and is due to last until 2 December.

Also read: Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday