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Remembering a legend 150 150 mhamer

Remembering a legend
Fr Jimmy and Frankie Mulgrew, Jimmy Cricket's son

Fr Jimmy and Frankie Mulgrew, who is training to become a Catholic priest

Jimmy Cricket paid his respects to an inspirational priest on a recent visit to Liverpool.

The Irish comedian was appearing at this year’s Northern Catholic Conference (NCC), which is an annual fixture in Liverpool Hope University’s calendar.

He not only attended the social evening (which is traditionally scheduled for the middle evening of the conference), but he also participated in a special commemoration service to mark the outstanding life of the late Fr Jimmy Collins.

Canon Collins, who was parish priest of St Joseph the Worker in Kirkby for 30 years, died in April aged 94 – just three months short of the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination. He was known to many as “Fr Jimmy” and “priest of the people”.

His funeral Mass took place on Tuesday 1 May, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, when a congregation of 2,000 filled Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kelly, together with Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams, retired Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Malone and 82 concelebrating priests from across the Liverpool Archdiocese and beyond.

“Fr Jimmy was a magnificent example of a man who lived life to the full,” says Jimmy Cricket. “He touched the lives of so many people. He has legendary status within his hometown of Liverpool.”

Jimmy’s son, Frankie, who is training to be a Roman Catholic priest and will soon be ordained a deacon, was one of the original members of the group that launched the Northern Catholic Conference a few years ago.

Since that first event, which was held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool,the NCC has continued to grow since Hope University became its regular venue.

Jimmy Cricket with all the restaurant staff at Liverpool Hope University (a big thank-you to Helen Davis for this photo)

Jimmy with all the restaurant staff at Liverpool Hope University (thanks to Helen Davis for this photo)

When Cricket met tennis… 150 150 mhamer

When Cricket met tennis…

Comedy legend Jimmy CricketJimmy Cricket has been trying his hand at tennis – or an unlikely mixture of tennis and cricket! – ahead of an international sports tournament.

The Aegon International at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne starts on Monday (18 June) and for many top tennis players is an annual warm-up for Wimbledon which begins the following week.

Former world number one Andy Roddick is one of the names appearing at this year’s Aegon International after the 2003 US Open champion was knocked out of the current tournament at Queen’s Club in the second round.

Comedy legend Cricket, who is currently starring in the variety show Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre on Seaside Road every Tuesday and Wednesday until 26 September, could not resist a trip to Eastbourne Sports Park to see what happens when Cricket met tennis!

The Irish funnyman larked about for the cameras with his trademark wellies (on the wrong feet of course). His jovial banter lit up the huge all-weather tennis centre  situated at Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne.

Comedy legend Jimmy Cricket

Sentimental Journey is a traditional, family friendly variety show, which has been playing at the delightful ‘hidden gem’ of a theatre since May. Audiences and critics have been enjoying the show and delighting in Jimmy’s hilarious routines which feature an array of ridiculous props, stories and jokes.

And “there’s more” as the cast also includes music from Colin Gold as Billy Fury, Tracey Lea as Connie Francis with comedy from Mike Lee and Barry Moon, plus the Showtime Dancers.

Tickets are priced at £17 – to book call the box office on 01323 412000 or go online here.

Eastbourne Sports Park is a collaborative project between Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Sussex Downs College, Park College and Sport England.

All photos for this story courtesy of Peter Gurr.

Comedy legend Jimmy Cricket

From Cinders to stand-up 150 150 mhamer

From Cinders to stand-up

Comedy legends Mick Miller and Jimmy Cricket to team up in Darlington

Comedian Jimmy Cricket is returning to the Civic Theatre in Darlington – just months after appearing on the same stage as Baron Hardup in a pantomime version of Cinderella.

This time around, Jimmy is down to do his usual stand-up and is teaming up with fellow comedy legend Mick Miller.

Jimmy enjoyed his time in Darlington so much at Christmas that he could not wait to get back to the civic theatre. When a date was found over the summer, he did not need think twice about it.

He found the Darlington audiences very warm and receptive, and so he now wants to perform the stand-up for which he is famous.

Mick Miller received plenty of praise and plaudits after his appearance in last December’s Royal Command Variety Performance which was broadcast on ITV.

In addition to the Darlington appearance on Wednesday 11 July, the Jimmy and Mick Show tour also includes Preston, Chester, Sheffield and Manchester. It is even down to visit the world-famous Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August.

Jimmy said: “It is a great thrill to be returning to the civic theatre in Darlington after appearing in the theatre’s pantomime last Christmas.

“I am especially excited as people who came to see the panto will now get a chance to see me perform my stand-up.

“Darlington has a great theatre which is really ideal for us comedians as it has an intimate setting that creates a great atmosphere. The evening in question brings together two fine exponents of the arts of comedy and this is a comedy treat that should not be missed.”

Mick said:  “This date in Darlington kicks off mine and Jimmy’s tour together, and I know we are going to have a barrel of laughs over the different dates.

“But I cannot think of a better starting point than Darlington. If you want a giggle or two, then hop down to the civic theatre because with the two of us on stage, it is going to be madcap fun and laughter all the way.”

* Stay up-to-date with all Jimmy Cricket’s forthcoming shows here

‘Promising a night of belly laughs’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Promising a night of belly laughs’
The feature in the North Wales Daily Post by freelance journalist Samuel Evans

The North Wales Daily Post feature by journalist Samuel Evans

A “journey back across the years” awaits Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket on 8 June.

The famous funnyman is appearing at Towyn’s Morton Arms in North Wales next Friday in a show organised by local entertainment entrepreneur Darren Howells.

To mark the event, a feature has been written in the North Wales Daily Post by freelance journalist Samuel Evans.

The story begins…

Jimmy Cricket, renowned for his funny hat, his wellies on the wrong feet and of course letters from his Mammy, is packing his bags ready for a trip to North Wales this summer and a journey back across the years.

“The times might have changed since the 80s but I have embraced everything into my act,” he said. “What you get now is the Jimmy Cricket take on things, and of course I’ll have a letter from my Mammy.”

Full of his favourite material, Jimmy is promising a night of belly laughs when he takes the mic at Towyn’s Morton Arms in June.

Read the full article here

Enjoying the vintage times 150 150 mhamer

Enjoying the vintage times

Jimmy Cricket and Karl of the Vintage Corporation BandIt was vintage stuff in more ways than one when veteran comedian Jimmy Cricket performed in Maidstone last Saturday.

The famous Irish comedian appeared on stage with the magnificent and very accomplished Vintage Corporation band whose members all come from the Kent region.

Jimmy was also on stage with the band last autumn at the Hawkinge Community Centre in Folkestone. This time it was the Hazlitt Arts Centre in Maidstone.Poster for the show involving Jimmy Cricket and the Vintage Corporation Band

The band, who recreate the sounds of the 60s and 70s, have worked with many comedians, including  Tom O’Connor, Mick Miller, Roy Walker and the Grumbleweeds.

The photo at the top of this page is of Jimmy with Karl, the lead singer of the Vintage Corporation Band.

Jimmy had just returned backstage from his usual mad dash to the theatre’s foyer to sell copies of his DVD when Karl bumped into him – which is why he is carrying a box in the photo!

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench? 150 150 mhamer

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench?

Jimmy Cricket sleeping on park bench to raise awareness about the homelessFamous comedian Jimmy Cricket has been pictured sleeping on a park bench as part of a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness.

The Rochdale-based funnyman wanted to support the local ‘Chill-Out’ campaign in the town.

The Chill-out group has been concerned about cuts by the Labour-led council which would have see emergency bed provision for the homeless cut from about 500 beds to around 160 and plan their own mass ‘sleep-out’ at Rochdale Town Hall.

Those cuts would also see the introduction of a ‘Dial-a-Bed’ policy for those seeking emergency accommodation.

The Chill-Out group is apolitical but has attracted support from politicians of all parties, including Labour, plus others including concerned members of the public and medical staff.

Its protest was set for Tuesday 29 May to coincide with Rochdale Council’s cabinet meeting with the intention to raise the profile of the issue through peaceful action. Supporters of the campaign were due to meet outside the Town Hall and sleep overnight in tents to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Jimmy read an article in the local Rochdale Observer and thought the ‘sleep-out’ was a great idea.

Unfortunately, it clashes with his summer season at Eastbourne, but he still wanted to show his support so he decided to get a photo of himself sleeping on a park bench in the middle of Rochdale Town Centre!

The night before these photos were taken, Rochdale Council made a number of concessions in relationto its homeless policy in response to the ‘Chill-Out’ campaign.

These pictures are now going to be used for a slightly different purpose because instead of raising awareness, they are now going to be used to highlight this change in approach from Rochdale Council.

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Night out in Barnsley 150 150 mhamer

Night out in Barnsley

Jimmy Cricket and The FantasticsEchoes of a show a few years ago in south Yorkshire reached famous comedian Jimmy Cricket recently.

Two  photographs were posted on social networking website Facebook of a gig in which Jimmy performed in Barnsley.

One of the pictures is of Jimmy with a guy called Dick and the other with a band called ‘The Fantastics’ who were a support act during the evening.

The photos were posted on Facebook by Neil D’Angelo who wrote: “Private function at shafton village club 2008 Barnsley……. Was a great night I recall.”

One of the photos from Facebook