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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

Shrinking trousers and bumble bees 150 150 mhamer

Shrinking trousers and bumble bees

Jimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale StyleJimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale StyleFamous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has taken centre stage again – this time in a local magazine.

The summer edition of Rochdale Style has a special feature on Belfast-born Jimmy whom it describes as the “town’s adopted son”.

Style is a glossy magazine reporting on society and current affairs in the town of Rochdale.

It was set up by Rochdale-born and bred actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

Colin wanted to project a positive image of the town and so started publishing Style Magazine.

Jimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale Style

It has been going for around 10 years and, because Jimmy is a local Rochdale-based celebrity, he has featured in the magazine previously.

In the recent interview, Jimmy reveals his favourite comedians and the inspiration behind his famous stand-up act.

He also talks about his Mammy shrinking his trousers, his daughter’s comedy genes and bumble bees.

The latest article about Jimmy was written by Colin’s daughter, Ruth Meredith.

Jimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale Style

Old friend becomes Mayor of Rochdale 150 150 mhamer

Old friend becomes Mayor of Rochdale

Jimmy Cricket with new Rochdale mayor Peter Rush and Heywood and Middleton MP Jim DobbinJimmy Cricket was invited to Rochdale Town Hall to witness his good friend, Cllr Peter Rush, become Mayor of the Borough at the annual Mayor Making Ceremony.

World-famous entertainer Jimmy is pictured above with the new mayor at the post-ceremony reception, along with Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin.

Jimmy said: “I was delighted to see Peter become the mayor and have known him for over 30 years.

“In fact, when I was getting established within the northern club circuit back in the 1970s, Peter was the concert secretary of a social Club in Heywood and gave me a 15-minute spot!”

Jimmy Cricket’s stolen wellies hit the headlines 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s stolen wellies hit the headlines

The Rochdale Observer reported the theft of the wellies given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy CricketThe theft of concrete wellington boots given to Rochdale-based Jimmy Cricket by fellow comedian Ken Dodd has certainly attracted the attention of the media.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket

Ken gave the sculpture (right) as a 50th birthday present to 67-year-old Jimmy who said he was “gutted” about the theft from his garden on Monday night.

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.

The story of the theft of the wellies, which were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket, featured on the front page of the Rochdale ObserverHe said the concrete wellies were of “high sentimental value”.

Greater Manchester Police said they were investigating the incident.

The BBC, ITV, the Rochdale Observer (see images with this story) and several radio stations were among the many media organisations to report on the crime.

Tribute to a friend and a legend 150 150 mhamer

Tribute to a friend and a legend

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Eddie Braben in the Rochdale ObserverJimmy Cricket has paid tribute to legendary comedy writer Eddie Braben who has died aged 82.

Edwin ‘Eddie’ Charles Braben was an English writer and performer best known for providing material for Morecambe and Wise. He also worked for David Frost, Ronnie Corbett and Ken Dodd.

He was credited with changing the profile of Morecambe and Wise, helping to turn them into one of the most popular and enduring comedy acts in the history of British entertainment.

Belfast-born entertainer Jimmy, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, started working with Eddie on his TV show, And There’s More, in the 1980s and 90s, and then his radio show, Jimmy’s Cricket Show.

They developed a lasting friendship and Jimmy recalled: “He was so funny, even in his hospital bed, and had this incredible surreal sense of humour.

“Eddie was a wonderful radio writer, as it was more relaxing for him rather than having to do the Christmas specials for 28 million people.”

A full tribute from Jimmy appeared in the Rochdale Observer (above is a copy of the article).

Back to the 80s in aid of charity 150 150 mhamer

Back to the 80s in aid of charity

The Rochdale Observer's coverage of Red Nose DayIrish entertainer Jimmy Cricket went back to the 1980s as he joined in with a rendition of A-ha’s Take on Me – all in aid of Comic Relief.

The Rochdale-based comedian teamed up with the Littleborough Rock Choir on Red Nose Day (15 March) for their special fancy dress rehearsal.

He also sang John Farnham’s You’re the Voice – another 80s hit – with the choir.

The evening raised around £70 and choir master Phil Reynolds was thrilled that as well as joining in with rehearsals, Jimmy also performed one of his own songs called The lady From My Sat Nav.

His local newspaper, the Rochdale Observer, ran an account of local Red Nose Day activities, with Jimmy featuring in two out of the four photos (above and below)!

* Comic Relief is a major UK charity set up in 1985 which strives to create a just world free from poverty, raising awareness and money through activities based around entertainment. its two big fundraising campaigns being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

The Rochdale Observer's coverage of Red Nose Day

‘Successful and highly enjoyable’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Successful and highly enjoyable’

Jimmy Cricket is dockside with (from left): - Joan, David, Roger, Craig and ColinJimmy Cricket made friends with a former cook for the Queen and an American who performs Elton John tributes during his week’s stay on a cruise ship.

The famous Irish comedian appeared on a leg of a world cruise aboard P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner, between Honolulu in Hawaii and Papeete in Tahiti.

P&O’s Aurora cruiseliner

He performed in two shows over the seven nights he and wife May spent on board, mainly while the ship was at sea.

After leaving the ship, they had an overnight stay on Tahiti, before doing two overnight flights in order to get back to the UK.Papeete in Tahiti

In the picture at the top of this story, Jimmy is dockside with (from left):

– Joan and David Alan who were lecturers onboard and their specialist subject was broadcasting

 – Roger Wright was the first Simba in the London West End version of the Disney musical The Lion King and he also came third in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for someone to play the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar that was broadcast on ITV a couple of years ago

Papeete in Tahiti

 – Craig is an American piano player and vocalist who did an Elton John tribute

 – Colin Fry, who lives in Harrogate, was the Queen’s Cook for five years and was on the Aurora giving talks on this role.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed my short stay on the island. It was a nice and relaxing end to what proved a very successful and highly enjoyable working engagement on board this P&O vessel.”

Jimmy Cricket in Tahiti

 

In McDonald's in Papeete!

In McDonald’s in Papeete!