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Christmas greetings with Usain and Mo 150 150 mhamer

Christmas greetings with Usain and Mo

Usain Bolt and Mo Farah on Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card

Jimmy Cricket used the inspiration of the London Olympics when it came to designing his 2012 Christmas card.

Olympic champions Usain Bolt and Mo Farah feature on the front cover of the cards he has started sending out to friends.

The famous Irish comedian says: “Each year at Christmas time, I think of a topical idea to base the front of my Christmas cards on.

“Each Christmas card design has usually involved a big news event of the preceding year, with me pictured in the middle and passing the odd comedy quip or two!

“Clearly the big event of this year has been the London Olympics, so I thought of an idea which would feature me alongside two of arguably the biggest stars from the games, Usain Bolt and Mo Farah.”

Jimmy has even managed to get into the composition of this year’s Christmas card design the much talked about poses for which these athletes are famous.

Jamaica’s Bolt defended his 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay crowns at the London 2012 Olympics, while in winning the 10,000m Team GB’s Farah became the first Briton to ever win a distance gold at an Olympics before adding the 5,000m title exactly a week later to join a select band of greats to have completed the long-distance double.

Comedian turned football manager 150 150 mhamer

Comedian turned football manager

Jimmy Cricket in the home team dressing room at Middlesbrough FCComedian Jimmy Cricket had a taste of what it might be like as the manager of a professional football club last week.

The famous Irish funnyman was at the Riverside Stadium, home of Championship side Middlesbrough FC, on Saturday (17 November).

Jimmy Cricket with Steve Burt, function manager at the Riverside

And he could not resist an invitation to visit the home club dressing room and work out some team tactics for the next match!

Jimmy was really at the Riverside Stadium to participate in the President’s Annual Dinner of the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians.

This year’s President was Reg Heasley, who also hails from Northern Ireland. Reg wanted Jimmy to appear at his dinner and the event was a great occasion.

Jimmy Cricket with Cath and Lynn from the catering staff at Middlesbrough FC

While Jimmy was at the Riverside, he was invited to pop down to the home team’s dressing room by the stadium’s function manager, Steve Burt (above right).

Left, Jimmy is pictured with Cath (left) and Lynn, who are among the catering staff at the stadium.

Jimmy said: “I wish Middlesbrough FC the best of luck for the current season!”

Note from editor to Middlesbrough players and supporters: Don’t worry, Tony Mowbray is still your manager!

Belfast celebs meet at Olympic event 150 150 mhamer

Belfast celebs meet at Olympic event
Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport. Photos for this story were taken by Alan at Photos2U

Two Belfast celebrities met up in June at an event to mark the year the Olympic Games returned to London.

Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Elizabeth Peters and top comedian Jimmy Cricket were at the Southport Theatre for a special dance show to celebrate the Olympic Torch coming to the Merseyside seaside resort ahead of London 2012.

Jimmy was asked to compere the show which was organised by the Liverpool-based Allied Dancing Association.

The event’s other special guest was Dame Mary Peters who won gold medal in the pentathlon in the 1972 Munich Games. She represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974, winning two pentathlon gold medals, plus a gold and a silver for the shot put.

She was born in Lancashire but lived in Belfast from the age of 11.

Jimmy, who was born in Belfast and has lived in Rochdale for many years, said: “It was a real thrill to meet Mary in Southport as she has been one of the great ambassadors of Northern Ireland over the years.

“Her Olympic triumph in Munich was a tremendous achievement, one which should inspire all our home athletes who are currently getting ready for London 2012.”

London also hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948. The 2012 Games means it will become the first city to have hosted three modern-day Olympics.

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport