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Sir Ken Dodd

80th birthday show: ‘You could sense and feel the love from the audience’ 150 150 mhamer

80th birthday show: ‘You could sense and feel the love from the audience’

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has described the charity show to celebrate his 80th birthday as an "absolute joy".

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket described the charity show to celebrate his 80th birthday as an “absolute joy”.

A full theatre and a host of top comedians helped to give Jimmy a night to remember at the Lowry in Salford.

Hundreds of people packed  for the Big Birthday Gala Show on 1 November to pay tribute to the Northern Irish entertainer.

Jimmy said on social media: “Hi Friends, what an absolute joy it was last Saturday night at the #quaystheatre in the Lowry, Salford with so many friends and family members to help me celebrate turning ‘80 Years Young’.

“You could sense and feel the love from the audience.

“My huge thanks to the very funny lineup of fellow comics who shared the stage with me, and who brought so much laughter to the show.

“#roywalker, #timvine #sydlittle, #steveroyle, #adrianwalsh #missbarbaranice, #frfrankiemulgrew, #katiemulgrew and organising the raffle (with family members), my son #dalemulgrew.

“The big surprise of the night was Lady Anne Dodd who brought the cake on and a big thank you also goes to my son-in-law Lee Martin and colleagues at #gagreflex who managed the gig.

Very special

“They did an absolutely wonderful technical job with the screen behind, alongside the brilliant #quaytheatrestaff and volunteers who made us all feel so welcome, while raising funds for #FrancisHouseChildrensHospice.”

Go to Jimmy’s Facebook page here to see photographs from the event.

The performers were:

  • Tim Vine (Not Going Out, Live at the Apollo)
  • Steve Royle (Britain’s Got Talent, Phoenix Nights)
  • Roy Walker (Catchphrase, The Comedians)
  • Syd Little (The Little and Large Show, Shooting Stars)
  • Adrian Walsh (Today with Des and Mel)
  • Barbara Nice (Coronation Street, Britain’s Got Talent)
  • Katie Mulgrew (Coronation Street, Lovefix, The Dog Ate My Homework)

Lady Anne Dodd – whose famous comedian husband, the late Sir Ken Dodd, was a good friend of Jimmy’s – made her special appearance just before the interval.

At the end of the show, Jimmy’s family played a video on the big screen of some of the most memorable moments of his career.

And he told the appreciate audience: “You’ve made it very special for us.”

Read about his illustrious life here.

The event raised funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice, based in Didsbury, south Manchester.

Proceeds from a raffle held on the night raised £1,144.

‘Loads more legends’

Steve Royle, a Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2020, said on social media: “Such a huge honour to be asked by a legend to perform at his 80th Birthday celebration show.

“Alongside loads more legends too!!

“Happy Birthday Jimmy Cricket.”

A full theatre and a host of top comedians helped Jimmy Cricket celebrate his 80th birthday on an evening of love and laughter.

Steve Royle posted photographs on social media of himself, Jimmy & fellow performers

Jimmy turned 80 on 17 October.

He has raised many thousands of pounds over many years for Francis House.

The charity cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.

It provides a home from home where families receive professional care, support and friendship.

Sister Aloysius and Fr Thomas Mulheran set up the Rainbow Family Trust in the early 1990s as a charity.

They were concerned about the lack of palliative care for the families of children with a short-life expectancy.

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the seven-bedroom Francis House in November 1991.

Also read: Francis House benefits from Rochdale ‘jam’ night

Below: Applause all round at the end of the show.

George Formby legacy lives on thanks to stars like Andy Eastwood 150 150 mhamer

George Formby legacy lives on thanks to stars like Andy Eastwood

Hi folks here is my latest #leponline here I chat about the great George Formby and the young ukulele/multi-instrumentalist Andy with his lovely family!

The amazing legacy of iconic entertainer George Formby will endure thanks to the likes of talented musician Andy Eastwood.

Jimmy Cricket devotes his latest long-running newspaper column to Andy, who went into showbusiness as a child.

He studied classical violin and piano, but also developed a passion for jazz and pop.

Andy made history at Oxford University by becoming the first musician to give a degree recital on the ukulele! 

Below is Jimmy’s Lancashire Evening Post column about George Formby and Andy.

In George Formby’s song Riding in The TT Races, there are two lines that always make me chuckle: “In a ten-mile race/I’m the best” and “I ride two miles/and skid the rest.”

It’s from a movie made in 1935 called No Limit, in which George plays a hapless would-be motorcyclist who wants to compete in the Isle-of-Man Grand Prix.

George’s gormless character, who always got it right in the end, made him a global star and endeared him to millions of moviegoers, especially during the war years when he helped to lift people’s spirits.

The amazing legacy of iconic entertainer George Formby will endure thanks to the likes of talented musician Andy Eastwood.

However, it will be for his wonderful songs like Leaning on a Lampost and When I’m Cleaning Windows that he will be remembered for in generations to come.

Golden classics

One such entertainer who will make sure his legacy endures is Andy Eastwood.

In fact, he performs the Formby songbook so well that none other than the American Banjo Museum invited him over to Oklahoma City to perform at a ceremony in which George Formby was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

George’s niece Gina was there on behalf of the family and I bet she had a tear in her eye as she watched Andy sing and play those golden classics!

Andy’s own career is quite remarkable.

Born in Blackburn, he moved to Dorset when his dad took up a teaching post there.

Genuine George Formby ukulele

He made his stage debut when he was only 12 at a vehicle rally in Southsea.

A few years later he turned his back on the bright lights of the entertainment profession, when he got a musical scholarship to Oxford University.

He must be one of the few people in the whole wide world to come away from that great institute of learning with a music degree in ukulele studies.

I can just picture all the students and professors at his graduation singing With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock.

Career crossroads

With his musical studies completed, Andy returned to showbiz and it was around about that time our paths crossed when we both appeared in a variety show in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

I remember vividly he was with his father and mentor, Walter, and they’d just been gifted a genuine George Formby ukulele from a lady whose late husband had paid £1,500 at an auction.

Apparently, she was so enthralled when she saw Andy performing on stage one night that she felt he was the one to carry on George’s legacy.

What a present!

Andy then toured extensively with Sir Ken Dodd and Blackpool impresario Duggie Chapman, but when both these giants of the entertainment industry sadly passed away within 18 months of each other, he found himself at a crossroads in his career.

I can’t wait to see her play the ukelele!

However, the show must go on, so Andy put on his producer’s hat on and to this day he promotes his own afternoon shows specialising in nostalgia for older theatregoers with titles like We’ll Meet Again celebrating wartime anniversaries and other shows that relive the great music from the fifties and sixties.

Oh, and there’s more, if you turn up to any of these matinees, he’ll not only regale you with his singing and ukulele expertise, but you’ll be amazed at his virtuoso violin-playing as well.

Andy lives in Blackpool with his lovely wife Helen Farrell, a beautiful singer in her own right.

When I worked at the Cast Theatre in Doncaster with them a few weeks ago, they had with them their seven-month-old baby Poppy May whom they brought on stage and, needless to say, stole the show.

I can’t wait to see her play the ukulele!

To find out more about Andy check out his website at www.andyeastwood.com

Also read from this website: Show included George Formby tribute act

Bernie Clifton will have you laughing and crying! 150 150 mhamer

Bernie Clifton will have you laughing and crying!

Bernie Clifton will have you laughing and crying!

Bernie Clifton will have you “laughing hysterically at his visual comedy one minute, and sobbing the next when he performs a song like Bring Him Home from the stage musical Les Misérables”.

Fellow funnyman Jimmy Cricket devoted his latest newspaper column to Bernie, who is still performing despite approaching his 90s.

Below is Jimmy’s April column published in the Lancashire Evening Post.

When a pair of concrete wellingtons that the late Sir Ken Dodd gave me as a birthday present went missing from my front garden, I was taken back by the publicity it aroused.

A few weeks after the fuss had died down, I received an email from comedian Bernie Clifton.

It read: “Jimmy, let me know when you’ve had enough publicity from this and I’ll bring them back.”

I roared with laughter.

At the ripe young age of 87, our Bernie is still touring the country gigging, playing practical jokes and spreading happiness everywhere he goes.

Let’s go back to where it all began.

Bernie Quinn was born in St Helens just before the Second World War started and spent his childhood hiding under his bed when the sirens went off.

He was only four years old when a bomb fell on their neighbour’s house four doors away.

Their 14-year-old daughter who used to teach him magic tricks perished in the blast; in his profound sadness, he realised at that early age how fragile life can be.

Kids wore clogs to school in those days and although he scraped through his 11 plus, it was all downhill from then on in.

Happily scoring touchdowns

He was more interested in who was number one in the hit parade of the day, than what went on in the classroom.

His mum persuaded him to become an apprentice plumber, but after he flooded half the neighbourhood that all came to an abrupt end.

Conscription came calling and he joined the RAF.

When he showed his skills as a rugby league player, they signed him up for the local air base team and he sailed through his National Service happily scoring touchdowns.

Reading his autobiography recently, I was quite taken aback at how much Bernie and I had in common.

We both frittered away our time at school; we both messed up every job we took up.

It was only when we both entered the entertainment profession that we found our true calling

In Bernie’s case, it was when he got up to sing with the local dance band in his hometown of St Helens.

Queen Elizabeth giggling at his antics

From there he toured the Yorkshire social clubs as a vocalist, before he found his true calling in comedy.

He got his first big break on the television variety show The Good Old Days, where he met comedy legend Les Dawson who advised him to be a prop comic.

Not long after that, a famous propmaker made Bernie the prop that was to become his calling card – Oswald the Ostrich.

Bernie got so excited when he first saw it that he jumped into it and ran outside.

The sight of a grown man running up and down the street in false ostrich legs had passers-by spellbound.

Would you believe he actually ran the London marathon for charity in a lighter version of the costume?

From then on in, there was no looking back for our Bernard.

He became resident comedian on the children’s hit tv series Crackerjack.

The Royal Variety show beckoned where he had her Majesty Queen Elizabeth giggling at his antics.

Naturally our career paths have crossed from time to time and I’m always in awe the way he radiates the same enthusiasm and energy for comedy, and showbiz, in his eighties, that he had when he started out as a ballroom band singer.

Try to catch his live act readers. He’ll have you laughing hysterically at his visual comedy one minute, and sobbing the next when he performs a song like Bring Him Home from the stage musical Les Misérables.

In the meantime, treat yourselves to his autobiography, Crackerjack to Vegas (www.bannisterpublications.com).

See you next month!

Happiness exhibition is ‘wonderful tribute to Ken’ 150 150 mhamer

Happiness exhibition is ‘wonderful tribute to Ken’

What a wonderful visit to the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ today when we went to the @MuseumLiverpool and met up with Lady Anne Dodd and the curator Karen O’ Rourke, what a fantastic tribute to Ken!

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed a “wonderful visit” to a special exhibition held in honour of his great friend, the late Sir Ken Dodd.

Sir Ken is being remembered with a nostalgic display of memorabilia in his beloved hometown of Liverpool.

A famous comedian and singer, Sir Ken died in March 2018 at the age of 90.

He often did very long stand-up shows, which would last until the early hours of the morning!

People will also remember him fondly for his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash (where he was born and died) and his tickling stick.

The Museum of Liverpool exhibition, entitled Happiness!, celebrates his life and career.

It is running for six months until 3 March 2024.

The website promoting the event says: “Ken’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour transformed the UK’s comedy scene.

‘Natural gift for making people laugh’

“Using memorabilia from Ken Dodd’s personal archive, this show will explore Ken’s career and how his comedic approach continues to be used and adopted by some of the UK’s most well-known and emerging comedians.

“Fondly remembered for the magical world he created, including Ken Dodd’s Diddymen, his tickling stick and the jam butty mines, his true passion was his natural gift for making people laugh.

“The exhibition will build on Ken’s passion, looking at the science of comedy, happiness and why laughter is good for our health.”

You can book tickets here for the exhibition.

Fellow funnyman Jimmy visited the exhibition yesterday (Thursday, 19 October).

He said: “What a wonderful visit to the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ today when we went to the @MuseumLiverpool and met up with Lady Anne Dodd and the curator Karen O’ Rourke.

“What a fantastic tribute to Ken!”

Signature song

The son of a coal merchant, Ken Dodd had been a comedian since 1954.

He made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer.

He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40.

His version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

And his recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965.

It was the biggest hit single in Britain that year, selling more than one million copies in the UK alone.

Autobiography

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is priced at £11.99 as a paperback.

It is also available as an ebook priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free).

Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

Jimmy has said he is happy to sign copies of the book at his live shows, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

Mary’s Meals

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.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

‘Amazing memorabilia from the maestro of Knotty Ash!’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Amazing memorabilia from the maestro of Knotty Ash!’

The late Sir Ken Dodd is being remembered with a special exhibiton of memorabilia in his hometown of Liverpool.

The late Sir Ken Dodd is being remembered with a special exhibiton of memorabilia in his hometown of Liverpool.

Sir Ken, who died at the age of 90 in March 2018, was a famous comedian and singer.

He often did very long stand-up shows, which sometimes lasted until the early hours of the morning.

People will also remember him fondly for his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash (where he was born and died) and his tickling stick.

The Museum of Liverpool exhibition, entitled Happiness!, celebrates his life and career.

It runs from Saturday (9 September) to 3 March 2024.

The website promoting the event says: “Ken’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour transformed the UK’s comedy scene.

‘Natural gift for making people laugh’

“Using memorabilia from Ken Dodd’s personal archive, this show will explore Ken’s career and how his comedic approach continues to be used and adopted by some of the UK’s most well-known and emerging comedians.

“Fondly remembered for the magical world he created, including Ken Dodd’s Diddymen, his tickling stick and the jam butty mines, his true passion was his natural gift for making people laugh.

“The exhibition will build on Ken’s passion, looking at the science of comedy, happiness and why laughter is good for our health.”

You can book tickets here for the exhibition.

Fellow funnyman Jimmy Cricket, a very good friend of Ken’s, highlighted the event on social media.

He said: “Hi folks. Opening soon is the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ dedicated to one of the greatest comics who ever graced the stage.

“Running till March 2024, why not pop along and see some amazing memorabilia from the maestro of Knotty Ash!”

Signature song

The son of a coal merchant, Ken Dodd had been a comedian since 1954.

He made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer.

He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40.

His version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

And his recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965.

It was the biggest hit single in Britain that year, selling more than one million copies in the UK alone.

Autobiography

Don’t forget that Jimmy Cricket’s autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is priced at £11.99 as a paperback.

It is also available as an ebook priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free).

Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

Jimmy has said he is happy to sign copies of the book at his live shows, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

Mary’s Meals

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.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

 

Elvis impersonator raises £200,000 for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

Elvis impersonator raises £200,000 for Francis House

DJ and Elvis Impersonator Jim Nicholas has raised an incredible £200k over 25 years by collecting at his performances

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ and Elvis Presley impersonator Jim Nicholas has raised an amazing £200,000 over 25 years for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Jim, who is a good friend of comedian Jimmy Cricket, has raised the funds by collecting at his performances.

Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy has also brought in a lot of money over the decades for the hospice.

Francis House is based in south Manchester.

Both entertainers feature in the latest edition of the charity’s newsletter (above).

‘Wonderful cause’

Jimmy, 74, tweeted: “Our thanks, (mine and Jim Nicholas), for the lovely article in the@FrancisHouseCH winter newsletter.

“It has been a pleasure working on behalf of your wonderful cause over the years!”

His pal Jim says in the newsletter: “From day one when I first went to Francis House and saw the families, I felt that I wanted to do everything I could for them.

“Without Francis House these families would be stuck.

“If I can entertain people and they enjoy what I’m doing, and if that helps in some small way, I’m happy to do it.”

Jim, who is from Swinton in Salford, Greater Manchester, is also the impresario behind Jimmy’s variety shows for Francis House.

The pair were introduced many years ago by Sister Aloysius and have remained close friends and showbiz partners ever since.

Christmas CD

The Stars Come Out for Francis House charity gala has taken place at the Oldham Coliseum eight times.

In addition, there are plans for an October 2020 performance.

A few years ago, Jimmy hit upon the idea of original Christmas numbers to sell at his shows with profits donated to Francis House.

The CD is Santa bring my wellies back to me.

The name of the CD relates to the theft several years ago of concrete wellington boots (below right).

‘Happy Christmas everyone!’

The late Sir Ken Dodd had given them to Rochdale-based Jimmy.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy CricketJimmy said: “With Christmas ‘19 beckoning my goal is to reach 2,000 copies and that would mean we’ve raised £10,000 for Francis House.

“A big thank you to those of you who’ve bought one and a Happy Christmas everyone!”

Francis House said: “Help Jimmy reach his goal of selling 2,000 copies to raise £10,000!

“‘Santa Bring My Wellies Back To Me’ can be purchased for £5 plus £1.95 p&p from Francis House by calling 0161 443 2200.

“Or go to www.francishouse.org.uk/getinvolved/shop/online-shop/”

You can also buy the CD here at Jimmy’s own website.

And there’s more… there’s a special Christmas offer on at present from Jimmy!

Interviewed by cousin on Black Country Radio about Christmas CD! 150 150 mhamer

Interviewed by cousin on Black Country Radio about Christmas CD!

Jimmy CricketJimmy Cricket was interviewed on the radio by a relative recently!

The Northern Irish comedian chatted to his cousin Pat Breslin, who as well as being a professional entertainer himself, is a presenter on Black Country Radio, which broadcasts across part of the West Midlands.

Jimmy was asked about his Christmas CD,  Santa bring my wellies back to me, which first went on sale two years ago and has now sold around 1600 copies.

Jimmy posted on social media: “Was interviewed by my cousin Pat Breslin! Listen to our chat here, as we also promote my Christmas CD, with all the proceeds going to ⁦⁩

The interview with Jimmy begins at 2:05:20; towards the top of the page on the link above, press the play button (arrow pointing right) and then drag the white circle along the black band to this time.

Famous funnyman Jimmy said that when another 400 copies of the CD have been sold, it will have raised £10,000 for the hospice.

The name of the CD relates to the theft several years ago of concrete wellington boots (below right)  given to Rochdale-based Jimmy by friend and fellow comedian, the late Sir Ken Dodd. They were never recovered.

All proceeds go to Francis House Children’s Hospice which is based in south Manchester and is a favourite charity of Jimmy’s.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy Cricket

  • In a special offer only for Christmas 2018,  Jimmy is offering his Christmas CD and his DVD Pull Your Seats Forward, which is based on a live performance, both for the same price (£12 including P&P) and Jimmy  will send half the money to charity.

For more details about this special offer, go here.