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the grumbleweeds

Tony Jo: Wonderful tributes to former Grumbleweed 150 150 mhamer

Tony Jo: Wonderful tributes to former Grumbleweed

Some wonderful tributes to Tony JoThe late Tony Jo, a member of award-winning British comedy band The Grumbleweeds, received a great send-off, says Jimmy Cricket.

Tony, who joined the popular group in 1997, died in January following an 18-month battle with cancer.

His funeral took place earlier this month.

Fellow entertainer and friend Jimmy said: “Some wonderful tributes to Tony Jo today during his humanist funeral, staged @Grand_Theatre in Blackpool.

“It was great to meet up with some old and some new colleagues in the world of showbusiness 🎭.”

The Grumbleweeds story began in Leeds in 1962, when the group was first formed by Robin Colvill.

They spent the next few years performing in clubs and pubs in their native Yorkshire and and also overseas, playing alongside bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The group turned fully professional in 1967 following an appearance on BBC TV’s Opportunity Knocks.

Tony was also a celebrated after-dinner comedian.

His work meant he rubbed shoulders with sporting legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Alan Ball.

He was a winner of the After Dinner Speaker of The Year Award three times.

In addition, he wrote for shows including You’ve Been Framed and Stars in Their Eyes.

Read more about Tony on the Blackpool Gazette website here.

Also read: Frankie Whittle: A great friend for over half a century

Wyn Calvin & Tony Jo: Jimmy remembers old friends 150 150 mhamer

Wyn Calvin & Tony Jo: Jimmy remembers old friends

I had the great pleasure of working with the, “Welsh Prince of Laughter”, in Panto back in 1983 @brumhippodrome sadly now no longer with us, the late Wyn Calvin, (here pictured far right in his role as Dame), R.I.P. old friend!

Jimmy Cricket has paid fond tributes to two fellow entertainers and friends who sadly passed away recently.

The Northern Irish comic recalled performing alongside the late Wyn Calvin in the 1980s.

Wyn’s death at the age of 96 was announced earlier this week.

“I had the great pleasure of working with the ‘Welsh Prince of Laughter’ in Panto back in 1983 @brumhippodrome,” said Jimmy. 

“Sadly now no longer with us, the late Wyn Calvin, (pictured far right in the above photo in his role as Dame).

“R.I.P. old friend!”

Wyn got into showbusiness after World War Two and went on to appear in more than 50 pantomimes, often as Widow Twankey.

He served with the forces’ Entertainments National Service Association and played to troops all across Europe.

Wyn, originally from Narberth in Pembrokeshire, was a founding member of Cardiff’s Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity.

Laurel and Hardy

He was known for his performances in concert halls and repertory theatres.

His career included successful runs on radio as Tommy Trotter, in a show called Welsh Rarebit on BBC Wales.

He also made music hall appearances and shared a stage with legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Read more about Wyn on the BBC website here

A bright light went out in Blackpool today with the passing of performer/manager/producer Tony Jo @hrhents Tony spread laughter and happiness everywhere he went, he will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in the world of Showbusiness! R.I.P. big guy you were the tops!

Jimmy has also paid tribute to Tony Jo, a former member of award-winning comedy band The Grumbleweeds.

Tony (pictured right with Jimmy) died on Sunday 23 January following an 18-month battle with cancer.

Jimmy said: “A bright light went out in Blackpool today with the passing of performer/manager/producer Tony Jo @hrhents.

“Tony spread laughter and happiness everywhere he went.

“He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in the world of Showbusiness!

“R.I.P. big guy you were the tops!”

Tony was a celebrated after-dinner comedian.

His work meant he rubbed shoulders with sporting legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Alan Ball.

Tony was a winner of the After Dinner Speaker of The Year Award three times.

In addition, he wrote for shows including You’ve Been Framed and Stars in Their Eyes.

Read more about Tony on the Blackpool Gazette website here.

Also from this website: Frankie Whittle: From Butlin’s to Blackpool’s Music Hall Tavern

Keith Harris tribute show: Double DVD coming soon! 150 150 mhamer

Keith Harris tribute show: Double DVD coming soon!

See the video of the Keith Harris tribute show, recorded live at Viva Blackpool, featuring: The Krankies, The Grumbleweeds, Steve Rawlings, Ben Simmons, Keith Simmons, Christopher Biggins, Duncan Norvell, Steve Royle, Ivan Brackenbury, Kitty Harris, The Inspire Dancers, Bobby Crush, Steve Hewlett Ventriloquist, Jimmy Cricket, Mooky the clown, Hacker the dog and many more!

A double DVD of a special tribute show in which Jimmy Cricket and a host of other well-known entertainers performed is to go on sale soon.

The Keith Harris tribute show, recorded live at Viva Blackpool in September this year, also featured the likes of The Krankies, The Grumbleweeds, Steve Rawlings, Christopher Biggins, Duncan Norvell, Steve Royle, Bobby Crush and Mooky the clown.

It is expected that the DVD will be finished within the next few weeks and pre-orders are being taken. If you pre order now, you can purchase for a special price of £18.99. The release price will be £21.99.

All proceeds will go towards The Keith Harris & Orville Statue Fund as part of a campaign to erect a memorial in Blackpool for the late ventriloquist.

For more details and to watch the DVD trailer, go here.

Eyes & Teeth took place on 21 September in memory of Keith, who died in Blackpool aged 67 in 2015.

He was best known for his television show The Keith Harris Show (from 1982 to 1990) and for his appearances with his puppets Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey.

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy had posted the following message (and photo below) on social media after the show: “What an achievement for and lovely who organised “The Keith Harris Tribute Show” with great acts and legends such as Mooky, reminded me of the old days, Midnight Matinees.”

What an achievement for @ventriloquist29 and lovely @nina_strobe who organised @VIVABlackpool “The Keith Harris Tribute Show” with great acts and legends such as @theBobbyCrush @TheKrankiesUK @steveroylecomic @sasKeithandBen Mooky, reminded me of the old days, Midnight Matinees

Keith Harris tribute show – ‘great acts and legends!’ 150 150 mhamer

Keith Harris tribute show – ‘great acts and legends!’

What an achievement for @ventriloquist29 and lovely @nina_strobe who organised @VIVABlackpool “The Keith Harris Tribute Show” with great acts and legends such as @theBobbyCrush @TheKrankiesUK @steveroylecomic @sasKeithandBen Mooky, reminded me of the old days, Midnight Matinees

Jimmy Cricket appeared with a host of fellow entertainers in memory of their late colleague and friend Keith Harris in Blackpool.

Eyes & Teeth took place at the Viva Blackpool on Friday (21 September), with all the money raised going towards The Keith Harris & Orville Statue Fund as part of a campaign to erect a memorial in the town for the late ventriloquist.

Keith, who died in Blackpool aged 67 in 2015, was best known for his television show The Keith Harris Show (from 1982 to 1990) and for his appearances with his puppets Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey.

Other stars taking part in Friday’s show included Christopher Biggins, Bobby Davro and The Krankies.

Jimmy posted the following message on social media afterwards, along with the photos above: “What an achievement for and lovely who organised “The Keith Harris Tribute Show” with great acts and legends such as Mooky, reminded me of the old days, Midnight Matinees.”

Blackpool bonanza in aid of statue for Keith Harris 150 150 mhamer

Blackpool bonanza in aid of statue for Keith Harris

 

What promises to be a fabulous, "Variety Show", organised by the great comedy talent and @ventriloquist29 Mr Steve Hewlett in memory of his mentor and our great mutual friend Keith Harris

Jimmy Cricket will be appearing with a host of other top entertainers in a fund-raising show in memory of their late colleague and friend Keith Harris.

The event, called Eyes & Teeth,  takes place at the Viva Blackpool in the west Lancashire seaside resort on Friday 21 September (7.45 to 11.15pm).

All the money raised from the sale of tickets will go towards The Keith Harris & Orville Statue Fund as part of a campaign to erect a memorial in the town for the late ventriloquist.

He was best known for his television show The Keith Harris Show (from 1982 to 1990) and for his appearances with his puppets Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey.

Keith, who died in Blackpool aged 67 in 2015 following a brave battle against cancer, had a UK Top 10 hit single in 1982 with Orville’s Song which reached number four in the charts.

Other stars appearing in the show alongside Jimmy include Bobby Davro, The Krankies, The Grumbleweeds, Duncan Norvelle and Nigel Havers.

Jimmy tweeted: “What promises to be a fabulous, “Variety Show”, organised by the great comedy talent and  Mr Steve Hewlett in memory of his mentor and our great mutual friend Keith Harris, only a few tickets left folks if you would like to join us!?”

Remaining tickets can be bought by visiting here – you can also call 01253 297297 or email boxoffice@vivablackpool.com

Jimmy joins co-stars at showbiz event (slideshow) 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy joins co-stars at showbiz event (slideshow)

Jimmy Cricket joined a host of fellow top entertainers at a showbusiness event in Blackpool.

Encore Reunion was organised by performer Hilary O’Neil, who was one of the stars of the 80s TV show Copy Cats, and was hosted at the Viva cabaret venue in Blackpool.

Jimmy, who attended with his wife, May and son, Fr Frankie, was invited to attend by the event sponsor, Nick Thomas from the Qdos Entertainment Company.

It was a who’s who from the world of entertainment as also there were: Bobby Davro, Paul Chuckle (from the Chuckle Brothers), Ken Dodd, Billy Pearce, Krankies, Christopher Biggins, Russ Abbot, Robin Grumbleweed and Little and Large.

“I was thrilled to have been at this unique event and thought it was a sensational night,” said Jimmy.

“I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with my fellow entertainers, some of whom I had not seen in quite some time.

“It was also superb the event was held in Blackpool – the resort famed for its entertainment offer – as all those who went to the Encore Reunion had at one time or another graced the venues of the town.”

The sponsors produced an event brochure, which highlighted the many shows the performers had produced over the years in the resort.

Jimmy featured in a few of these shows at venues such as the South Pier Theatre (no longer standing as it was demolished at the end of the 90s) and the Grand Theatre (located within the town centre).

Click on either of the arrow buttons above to watch a photo slideshow of the event.

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!