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sir alex ferguson

Old pals Jimmy & Keith perform in Salford show 150 150 mhamer

Old pals Jimmy & Keith perform in Salford show

Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket returned to St Sebastian’s Community Centre in Salford to do a show along with his old friend and singer Keith Swift.

Keith SwiftThe centre, which is at Douglas Green, is a community resource managed
by a small group of volunteers, which provides a range of
opportunities and services for local people. A variety of community activities are offered by the centre, including health and fitness, arts and care support groups.

Said Jimmy: “Thanks to Gerry who organised the event and the team of helpers who supplied the buffet and  who worked behind the bar area!”

Keith (left), who is known professionally as Jonathan Swift, is a dynamic vocalist who does a Frank Sinatra tribute act. Visit his website here.

He has performed several shows with Catherine Tyldesley (who plays Eva Price in Coronation Street and is an outstanding singer in herself), including a private party for Mr Manchester United himself, Sir Alex Ferguson, and makes regular appearances on The Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show with the long-time favourite Northern Irish comedian.

Fergie favourite is latest Wellie winner 150 150 mhamer

Fergie favourite is latest Wellie winner

One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s favourite entertainers has won Jimmy Cricket’s latest Golden Wellington award.

Eric Devereaux has had a stellar career as a compere and male vocalist, his notable stints during the cabaret heyday of the 60s and 70s including being a host at iconic venues such as Cadishead Conservative club  in Salford.

Jimmy Cricket presents Eric Devereaux with the golden Wellington award

Jimmy presents Eric with the Welly award

He was good friends with Hughie Green – the legendary presenter of Opportunity Knocks – and was well-known on the Greater Manchester club circuit, with close ties to comedian Bernard Manning and impressionist Mike Yarwood among others.

Eric continues to be one of the favourite performers of Sir Alex, to the point where he has become an annual fixture for the former Manchester United manager’s birthday celebrations each year.

He moved to Norden in Rochdale to retire a few years ago, having been based for most of his life in Failsworth.

Rochdale-based comedian Jimmy presented the June Golden Welly award to Eric for a lifetime in showbusiness during one of  jam night concerts which he arranges every other month at St Vincent’s RC Parish Centre in Norden.

Eric is also one of the organisers of an informal northern network of performers who get together periodically to socialise over lunch at the Royal Toby restaurant in Castleton, Rochdale.

The network, known as the Wooden Hut club, has over the past five years attracted the likes of Jimmy, Buzz Hawkins, Smug Roberts, Bernie Clifton, Arthur Bostrum, Freddy ‘Parrot face’ Davies, Johnny Casson, Andy Prior, Graham Grumbleweed and many more notable entertainers.

Jimmy said: “Eric is so deserving of a recognition of his talents and of the wonderful career in showbusiness he’s had over the years.

“I just wanted to acknowledge this in my own way. In fact, the award was only a small part of the evening and the main focus was an interview I conducted with Eric that lasted the entire second half of the concert!

“This chat was a tremendous trip down memory lane. Everyone present was just amazed at the stories Eric told and also wowed by the photos he brought along to prove what a remarkable life story he has and continues to have.”