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Green cake with wellies on it! 150 150 mhamer

Green cake with wellies on it!

Jimmy Cricket was presented with an Irish-themed cake when he returned to perform at the Billingham Forum Theatre near MiddlesbroughJimmy Cricket was presented with an Irish-themed cake when he returned to perform at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

The famous Belfast-born entertainer appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the North East theatre over the Christmas and New Year period. Sellout crowds watched the pantomime; in fact, the biggest attendances ever for a panto at the venue.

And as he arrived to perform again at the theatre at the start of April, he was greeted with a green cake with a pair of wellingtons on it – Jimmy is renowned in his acts for wearing wellies on the wrong feet!

The cake was made by Stockton resident Yasmin Calvert whose mum, Janet, went to the stage door of the theatre to hand it to Jimmy.Jimmy Cricket appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the North East theatre over the Christmas and New Year period

Jimmy said: “I was overjoyed on receiving it as it’s one of the best that anyone has made for me. I was particularly impressed with the detail of the decoration and amazed at how it was produced all in green!

“A big thank you to Yasmin for the efforts she went to in making this culinary delight for me.”

His comedy show was a triumph as almost 400 people came to see Jimmy on his return.

He invited the Heritage Dance School to perform a  few numbers during the show and added: “I was  very pleased with their efforts as they slotted in really nicely.”

60s pop group among acts at fundraiser 150 150 mhamer

60s pop group among acts at fundraiser

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre in aid of Francis House Children's HospiceA show at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre in which Jimmy Cricket appeared raised almost £6,000 for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

The gala concert in early April also featured the 60s legends The Ivy League and other excellent performances were from female vocalist Julie A Scott, the double act Harris and Day, and the Greater Manchester Police choir.

It was organised by Jimmy and his close friend Jim Nicholas, who was also the host.

A lot of credit must go to the sponsors of the event who were: Barclays Bank, Swan Inn in Dobcross, Chesters coaches, The Old Bell Inn in Delph, Salford Discount Carpets and Beds, Phoenix Financial Services Ltd, and PJD heating, plumbing and gas fitters.

Press the arrow button below to view a slideshow of the concert. Ricky Sandtime Matthews took the majority of the photographs.

‘Aching ribs from his continuous hilarity’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Aching ribs from his continuous hilarity’

Jimmy Cricket and the cast for the fundraising concert at Christchurch C of E church in Chatburn, Lancashire

Jimmy Cricket sent “everyone home with a smile on their face” and helped to generate more than £1,000 towards a church development fund recently.

The famous Northern Irish entertainer appeared at a fundraising concert at Christchurch C of E Church in Chatburn, Lancashire.

He was the host and headline performer for the concert which also featured a musical tribute to the Andrews sisters – known as the ‘Sparkle Sisters’ – and an all-male musical act called the ‘Flat Cap Pack’.

Completing the line-up were two musical ensembles comprising of talented students from nearby Stonyhurst College.

The event was organised to raise money for the Church Development Fund as the plan is to install new toilets within the church that are more accessible.

Organiser Clive Greenwood said: “Jimmy was just so terrific. Everyone went out with a smile on their face and a spring in their step, and there were quite a few aching ribs from his continuous hilarity.

“What a performance. He attracted a large audience and helped generate over £1,000 towards the Church Development Fund. Thank you.”

Presenting… the Jimmy & Alfie Show 150 150 mhamer

Presenting… the Jimmy & Alfie Show

Jimmy Cricket is set to join forces with BBC Radio Newcastle’s Alfie Joey for a comedy show to be reckoned with at South Shield’s The Customs House

The legendary Jimmy Cricket is set to join forces with BBC Radio Newcastle’s Alfie Joey for a comedy extravaganza at The Customs House Theatre in South Shields.

For one night only, two of the finest exponents of the art of comedy will bring their contrasting styles to a show that will be bursting with one-liners, gags, stories and the odd punchline or two!

The Jimmy and Alfie Show is on Saturday 10 May.  Tickets have been kept affordable, with the top price capped at £14.

Alfie said: “It is a sheer delight to be sharing the stage with a comedy great like Jimmy Cricket.

“By teaming up with Jimmy, we not only complement one another, but we’ll bring different gag-telling approaches to the evening. This means those who can come along will have a real taste of comedy throughout our show at The Customs House.”

Jimmy said: “I’ve worked with Alfie on a number of occasions in the past, including teaming up together a couple of years ago for a show at the ARC arts centre in Stockton-on-Tees. So I was thrilled to be offered this chance to work with him again in South Shields because he is just great fun to be around.

“Why not come along and indulge in a few chuckles in what will be a splendid evening of laughter and frivolity!”

Lemon Tree, jam night & soap stars 150 150 mhamer

Lemon Tree, jam night & soap stars

Brian and Maxine from the renowned band caked Lemon Tree

A renowned band called Lemon Tree were among the artists at a recent jam night organised and hosted by famous comedian Jimmy Cricket.

Local, national and sometimes international entertainers perform for nothing at the monthly event which takes place at St Vincents RC Parish Centre in Norden, Rochdale.

Among the musicians at the jam evening in March was Lemon Tree which features Brian and Maxine.

Jimmy said: “The pair have been in the business of performing for a number of years and Lemon Tree developed a reputation of being one of the best corporate live musical bands in the country.

“As a result they were never out of work and travelled the length and breadth of the country performing at major corporate events and company parties.”

Out of the success of the band, Brian also developed an entertainment agency called the Lemon Tree Agency.

It initially specialised in arranging musical acts and bands,  but of late Brian has developed the personal appearance side of the business through links he has made with a number of soap stars. His new website can be found here. 

Brian and Maxine are seen above performing at the St Vincents jam night in March and, below, they are pictured with Jimmy.

Both photographs were taken by St Vincent’s photographer John Kay.

Jimmy Cricket with Brian and Maxine from the renowned band caked Lemon Tree
Priest with ‘show business in his blood’ 150 150 mhamer

Priest with ‘show business in his blood’

Irish World article is about Jimmy Cricket's second son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew

The Irish World newspaper has featured a special article about Jimmy Cricket’s second son, newly ordained priest Fr Frankie Mulgrew.

It appeared in the 8 March edition of the Irish World, which is one of the main newspapers serving the Irish community in the UK.

The Irish World newspaper has featured a special article about Jimmy Cricket's second son, newly ordained priest Fr Frankie Mulgrew

Fr Frankie, who was ordained to the Roman Catholic Church last summer, and his famous entertainer-dad can be seen on page 3 of the newspaper.

The article was written by Jimmy’s friend Gerry Molumby who lives in Nottingham and reports on how Jimmy is incredibly proud of his son, Frankie, becoming a priest.

Fr Frankie  – a regular entertainer before he was ordained – is described as having “more than a little show business in his blood”.

It also provides some details about where he is currently undertaking his ministry – at the Parish of Our Lady of the Valley in East Lancashire.

The ordination service took place at Salford Cathedral on the afternoon of Saturday 13 July 2013 and 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.

Fr Frankie’s first Mass was at St Vincent’s RC Church in Norden, Rochdale, the following day.

St Patrick’s Day event set for repeat 150 150 mhamer

St Patrick’s Day event set for repeat

Jimmy with Clare Bowles and Marianne KavanaghA St Patrick’s Day event featuring famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket was so successful that he was immediately booked again for next year!

The Northern Irish comedian appeared at a specially arranged lunch for St Pat’s Day 2014, which was held at the iconic Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.

Jimmy is pictured with Clare Bowles in the photograph below left and, right, both of them are joined by Marianne Kavanagh. The photos were posted by Clare on Facebook.

Jimmy Cricket with Clare BowlesThe event was organised by the Adelphi Hotel and because it went down so well, within 24 hours it was decided to have the same again for the 2015 St Patrick’s celebrations.

And for next year’s show they did not hesitate to rebook Jimmy as they had received so much interest from people for a repeat performance.

The Edwardian-style Adelphi hotel is internationally renowned and was the focus of the  fly-on-the-wall TV documentary series Hotel.