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Queen Elizabeth II

Charles III: Performing in front of the future king 150 150 mhamer

Charles III: Performing in front of the future king

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Prince Charles, who is now King Charles III, watched Jimmy Cricket performing live on stage back in 1984.

Popular comedian Jimmy was one of the entertainers in that year’s Royal Variety Performance.

The 1984 show took place on 19 November at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London.

Royal guests were the Queen Mother, Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

Also among the performers were singer/actor Paul Nicholas and comedians Bernie Winters and Billy Dainty.

Jimmy said on social media: “Hi folks! Sharing a short video of the opening routine of the 1984 production (which consisted of a rich variety of performers) at The Royal Command Performance! #keepvarietyalive.”

The Royal Variety Performance is a televised show held annually.

It raises money for the Royal Variety Charity, of which the late Queen Elizabeth II was life patron.

Senior members of the British Royal Family attend the event.

The evening’s performance is presented as a live variety show, usually from a theatre in London.

It consists of family entertainment, including comedy, music, dance, magic and other speciality acts.

Jimmy said all the memories of his performances give  him “a warm glow”.

And he added: “None more than this one.

“I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Following the Queen’s death earlier this month, Charles, the former Prince of Wales, became King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms.

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Also read: ‘Great privilege’ to be in 1984 Royal Variety Show

Queen Elizabeth II: Great lady showed humility & humour

Queen Elizabeth II: Great lady showed humility & humour 150 150 mhamer

Queen Elizabeth II: Great lady showed humility & humour

Death of the Queen: R.I.P. Ma’am. This is a lovely story which illustrates the humility and the wonderful sense of humour of the great lady!

A story told by the Queen’s former Royal Protection officer following her death summed up her “humility and wonderful sense of humour”.

Richard Griffin recalled the time he and Her Majesty, who died on Thursday aged 96, met two American tourists.

The amusing episode took place in the Scottish hills when they met the two hikers.

Mr Griffin recalled the heart-warming tale to Sky News.

He said: “It was obvious from the moment they stopped – they hadn’t recognised the Queen.”

When she told the American gentleman she had been visiting the area for over 80 years, he asked her: “Surely you have met the Queen?”

She replied, motioning to Mr Griffin: “Well I haven’t, but Dick here meets her regularly.”

Before the protection officer could stop him, the American put his arm around him, pulled out a camera, and handed it to the Queen asking for a picture.

He said: “And the Queen, bless her heart, takes the picture.”

Mr Griffin suggests they swap places, and the Queen poses for a photograph.

Afterwards the Queen turned to him and said: “I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he shows his friends back in America those pictures when hopefully someone will tell him who I am.”

Entertainer Jimmy Cricket described it on social media as “a lovely story”.

He said it illustrated “the humility and the wonderful sense of humour of the great lady”.

“R.I.P. Ma’am,” added Jimmy.

The Queen’s death ended the longest reign in British history – Her Majesty had celebrated 70 years on the throne earlier this year.

She was also the world’s oldest head of state.

Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland and her funeral takes place on Monday 19 September.

Her eldest son, Charles, the former Prince of Wales, has become King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms.

He is now King Charles III.

Also read on this website: Christmas card features ‘naughty’ MPs and the Queen

Christmas card features ‘naughty’ MPs and the Queen 150 150 mhamer

Christmas card features ‘naughty’ MPs and the Queen

Jimmy Cricket has chosen a topical theme for his 2019 Christmas card – the way Westminster MPs have behaved over Brexit.

It shows Jimmy, 74, 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.

British MPs of all parties have come under intense scrutiny – and been the subject of much criticism – following their failure to agree a Brexit deal.

In a 2016 UK referendum, a slim majority voted for the country to leave the European Union.

Customised

Brexit is at the heart of campaigning ahead of the general election on Thursday 12 December.

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

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.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

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!

Happy 100th from Jimmy Cricket and the Queen! 150 150 mhamer

Happy 100th from Jimmy Cricket and the Queen!

Jimmy Cricket playing the saxophoneJimmy Cricket recently joined the Queen in helping a Rochdalian to celebrate her 100th birthday.

The famous entertainer has known Lily Thornley for a number of years, as her late brother used to teach the accordion to one of his children.

So when Jimmy, 70, heard she was about to reach the golden age, he wanted to pop along and wish her 100 happy returns!

“To mark the great occasion, a party was arranged for Lily on the afternoon of her special day by the wonderful staff at the care home where she is based,” said Jimmy.

Jimmy Cricket with centenarian LilyThe party took place at Cleggsworth House in Littleborough, Rochdale, which is fairly near to where Jimmy lives.

Not only did he take his saxophone along to lead a rendition of happy birthday (above right), but he even got to present Lily with her special card* (left) from the Queen.

* Her Majesty traditionally congratulates centenarians (100, 105, and each birthday above) and couples celebrating a special wedding anniversary (60th, 65th, 70th and each year above).