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From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz! 150 150 mhamer

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

Jimmy Cricket is celebrating 50 years in showbiz

Jimmy Cricket has enjoyed a golden career in showbiz – but before that, the comedian was a labourer, waiter, salesman and bingo caller!

The famous funnyman talks about his 50-year career as a high-profile entertainer in his latest newspaper column.

He says that before he became a professional comedian, he worked in the holiday camps as a Redcoat (Butlins) and Bluecoat (Pontins).

However, from each September, Jimmy says he had to have a day job for the winter.

His wife May agreed to give up her singing career so Jimmy could rehearse.

And his showbiz career started to take off when he signed with a top agent.

He also recalls in his Lancashire Post column the problems he encountered for his first gigs.

These included not having his own transport to get to venues!

Jimmy is doing what he describes as a “little five theatres tour” in March as part of the celebrations for his golden anniversary.

They are venues where he has done one-nighters & summer seasons in the past.

Here are those March dates:

Middlesbrough Theatre (Saturday 4 March) – go here for tickets.

Bridlington Spa Theatre (Sunday 12 March) – go here for tickets.

West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea (Sunday 19 March) – go here for tickets.

Lancaster Grand Theatre (Saturday 25 March) – go here for tickets. 

Plaza Theatre, Stockport (Sunday 26 March) – go here for tickets.

Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for 50 years – and usually raising money for worthy causes at the same time.

Instantly recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  which makes him a perfect family entertainer.

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

Read more about Jimmy’s life and career here.

All his tour bookings and other events can be found here.

Jimmy Cricket has been in showbusiness for 50 years

Blackpool show at the centre of a busy week 150 150 mhamer

Blackpool show at the centre of a busy week

 

Comedy royalty: Ready for my second spot at the #LyndeneHotel this evening! #liveentertainment

Jimmy Cricket has been enjoying a busy week.

The famous Northern Irish comedian performed at a private event on Sunday afternoon and was doing a show at a birthday party in Bradford on Friday night.

And in the middle a busy six days, the popular entertainer was back at his favourite Blackpool hotel.

Jimmy posted the photographs above on social media on Wednesday evening from the Lyndene Hotel.

He said: “Ready for my second spot at the #LyndeneHotel this evening! #liveentertainment.”

His latest show there sparked a host of positive comments on Facebook.

A few of them are below.

Rob Dutch comedy royalty

Phil Walker 2 spots! It’s like the old club days Jimmy 😅 what a trooper!

Kevin Devane Excellent stuff

Josh Daniels Legend

Alfie Joey Quality is permanent

Jimmy is appearing at the Lyndene monthly until the end of the year.

He was back performing there in mid-July for the first time in 2021.
Like all other entertainment venues, shows had been postponed due to the national restrictions imposed because of coronavirus.

Pandemic apart, Jimmy has appeared regularly on the popular Lyndene’s two stages for several years.

He had done his last show there in September 2020 before another lockdown resulted in the closure of hospitality venues.

See all Jimmy’s booked shows (note that this schedule is updated regularly)

 

LEP column: Here’s to the king of comedy writers 150 150 mhamer

LEP column: Here’s to the king of comedy writers

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Evening Post columnJimmy Cricket remembers legendary comedy writer and close friend, the late Eddie Braben, in one of his recent newspaper columns.

Edwin ‘Eddie’ Charles Braben was best known for providing material for Eric Morecambe and Ernie 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, recalls in the Lancashire Post how Eddie started out as a market trader, selling fruit and veg from a stall in Liverpool’s St John precinct. In his spare time, he made up jokes.

Jimmy says how nervous he was when he first met Eddie, adding: “That was the start of a beautiful friendship that spanned two TV series, five radio series and even a book of letters from my Mammy.”

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy developed a lasting friendship with Eddie who sadly died aged 82 in May 2013. Below is a newspaper article in which Jimmy paid tribute to his old pal at the time.

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Eddie Braben in the Rochdale Observer

Famous funnyman in fond return to Devon 150 150 mhamer

Famous funnyman in fond return to Devon

 

Jimmy Cricket with Daryl, the entertainment manager at Beverley Holidays park in DevonJimmy Cricket returned to Torbay in Devon for the first time in a couple of years when he appeared in the coastal resort of Paignton.

The much-loved Northern Irish comedian performed in the wonderful Theatre Cabaret room at Beverley Holidays park (picture of Jimmy on stage below).

He is pictured right with Daryl,  the assistant entertainment manager at the park.

Beverley Holidays have three parks in Devon, and all of them offer an excellent range of holiday accommodation from luxury hot tub lodges and ultra-modern hot tub holiday caravans, to camping and touring pitches with stunning sea views of the coast.

Jimmy Cricket

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event 150 150 mhamer

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event

The special poster publicising the charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket's 70th birthday in OctoberA special poster has been produced to publicise the 5K charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday in October.

The event is being arranged in Jimmy’s adopted hometown of Rochdale in Greater Manchester by a seasoned run organiser called Andy O’Sullivan, who is not only associated with the local Rochdale Harriers running club, but who has also been awarded the MBE for all the fundraising he has done over the years.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy will turn 70 on 17 October 2015 and his birthday race will take place the following day.

The location of the start will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

He will be there in person to start the race off at 11.30am, with the route planned to take in two laps of Cowm Reservoir, ensuring the race will be a true 5K.

Jimmy said:  “A big thank you to Rachel –  one of the charity’s trainee fundraisers – for producing a nice flyer for the event (above right).

“Naturally, I will be on hand to start the race off outside the Cock & Magpie public house and welcome back the winners after two laps of this stunning water feature. I will also hand out the prizes in the Cock & Magpie once all runners are safely back home.”

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities, which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live

Stephen Nolan - Jimmy Cricket is appearing on his BBC radio show

Jimmy Cricket is going to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s popular current affairs television show Nolan Live on Wednesday, June 3.

It is presented by Stephen Nolan (above) – a name that might be familiar to readers as he is often heard on BBC Radio 5 live presenting the station’s evening programme at the weekend.

Stephen Nolan's programme is called Nolan Live

Stephen’s TV show in Northern Ireland is a mix between topical debate and chat – he holds a panel discussion during one part of the programme, with the other section devoted to talking to a special guest. The first programme in this current series featured Peter Stringfellow,  the British businessman and nightclub owner.

Nolan Live has built a significant share of the viewing audience over several series and is now one of the most popular shows that BBC Northern Ireland produces for its home audience.

Famous entertainer Jimmy said: “Not only will I be having a chat with Stephen about what I am up to currently, but I have also been asked to perform some comedy stand-up and this is an opportunity I’m relishing.”

Jimmy Cricket agrees digital download deal 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket agrees digital download deal

Jimmy Cricket has agreed a deal with Townsend Records
Jimmy Cricket has formed a new partnership with an independent record store, whose clients include singer-songwriter Noel Gallagher, entertainer Mike Harding and folk band Houghton Weavers.

The well-known Northern Irish comedian has agreed for Townsend Records, who are based in Great Harwood near Blackburn in Lancashire,  to exclusively provide and manage a new digital store, where downloads of all four of his CD titles can be obtained – both as a full album or as individual tracks.

This means that his two comedy CDs – Best of Jimmy Cricket and Jimmy Cricket – Bee in his Bonnet – and his two music CDs, Jimmy Cricket – I’m dreaming of a far off land and Jimmy Cricket – Light & Shade, are now available to purchase in a digital format online.

Each individual track can be downloaded at a cost of 99p each, with each full album priced at £9.99 per download.

Jimmy’s new online store can be found at http://jimmycricket.tmstor.es/