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the krankies

Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him 150 150 mhamer

Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him

Shocked and saddened to hear about my friend Bobby Ball, an original funny man, he made us laugh and cry, we all loved him. With his partner Tommy, Cannon and Ball were one of the finest Comedy Double Acts to grace our stages! Our thoughts & prayers are with Yvonne and his family!

Jimmy Cricket said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear fellow comedian and friend Bobby Ball had died.

Bobby, one half of the famous comedy double act Cannon and Ball, passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Wednesday aged 76.

The actor and comedian had tested positive for Covid-19.

His long-time friend and colleague Tommy Cannon led the tributes to Bobby, saying: “Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this, I’m devastated.”

Bobby also starred in several popular sitcoms.

They included Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

Jimmy said Bobby – pictured right on the photo above – was “an original funny man”.

He added: “He made us laugh and cry, we all loved him.

“With his partner Tommy, Cannon and Ball were one of the finest Comedy Double Acts to grace our stages!

“Our thoughts & prayers are with Yvonne and his family.”

Bobby was born in Oldham on 28 January 1944.

He met Tommy while working in a factory as a welder.

Cannon and Ball – their real names are Thomas Derbyshire and Robert Harper – began their entertainment careers as comedians on the cabaret circuit in the north of England.

Bobby was famous for twanging his braces on stage and saying: “Rock on, Tommy!”

The other famous entertainers on the photo above – including Jimmy of course – are the Krankies, Frank Carson and Paul Daniels.

Also read: Jimmy inspired to write show after seeing success of fellow comedian Bobby Ball’s first steps into writing for the stage

 

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

The summer of ’88… 150 150 mhamer

The summer of ’88…

Jimmy Cricket featured with the Krankies and Renato at the Royal Opera House in ScarboroughJimmy Cricket was taken back 26 years recently courtesy of a picture posted on Facebook.

Paul Burton published a flier (right) on the summer season of 1988 when famous entertainer Jimmy performed at the Royal Opera House in Scarborough.

The show also featured Scottish comedy duo The Krankies and the singer Renato (who sang the hit song Save Your Love with Renee).

Jimmy said: “I fondly remember the season and the huge success the show had; for several weeks over that summer, it played to packed houses over two performances a night for six days a week.

“It was so successful the producer Nick Thomas – who went on to found the Qdos Entertainment empire – extended the show’s season to accommodate the demand!

“The sad side to this story is the fact that the Opera House was a beautiful, traditional, Victorian auditorium located near to the centre of Scarborough town centre.

“Unfortunately it was deemed surplus to requirements a few years after my season and was demolished as a result.

“It has now been adopted as a case study when older traditional auditoriums are placed at risk within their town and communities.”

Francis House says thanks 150 150 mhamer

Francis House says thanks

Pictured, from left: David Ireland from Francis House, comedian Jimmy Cricket, David Martin,executive director of the Coliseum theatre, and the show’s producer, Jim Nicholas

Pictured, from left: David Ireland from Francis House, comedian Jimmy Cricket, David Martin,executive director of the Coliseum theatre, and the show’s producer, Jim Nicholas

The organisers of a charity event at the Coliseum in Oldham earlier this year returned to say thank-you to the theatre for hosting the show which was a huge success.

Jimmy Cricket helped to raise more than £6,000 for a Manchester-based charity at the two-night extravaganza in October.

The famous Irish comedian appeared in the “Stars Come Out”, along with husband and wife comedy duo The Krankies and sixties Merseybeat band The Swinging Blue Jeans, of “You’re no Good” and the “Hippy Hippy Shake” fame. The show also featured the Dobcross Youth Band.

An extra night was added after the originally-planned one-day performance was sold out.

The money from the shows went to Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based at Didsbury in Manchester. The Hospice cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions and provides a home from home where families can receive professional care, support and friendship.

The charity’s director, David Ireland, also participated in the recent thank-you visit, along with Jimmy Cricket who said: “The show was a resounding success and raised buckets-full of cash for the charity.

“This was the fourth edition of the show and it continues to be really well-supported. The money raised will enable the Francis House Children’s Hospice to be able to continue the important work they do of caring for the region’s very sick children.”

“I hope the show can return for number five in the spring of 2013!”