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Journey into the archives 150 150 mhamer

Journey into the archives
Jimmy Cricket performs in the 1985 Royal Variety Performance show

Jimmy Cricket in 1985

Got any old videos or photos of your favourite entertainer?

If you have still pictures or moving footage from down the years of famous Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket – like the Royal Variety Performance clip on the homepage of this website – then we would love to hear from you.

This video from 1985 was sent in by one of Jimmy’s fans and if anybody out there wants to send anything from the archives, then it will also be put online.

The Royal Variety Performance – also known as the Royal Command Performance – is a gala evening held annually in the UK and attended by senior members of the Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch.

Performances showcase a variety of family entertainment, including comedy, dance, singing, magic and other acts, with many of the performers and hosts being popular celebrities.

It is organised on behalf of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, of which Elizabeth II is patron, with all proceeds donated to the fund.

  • Please email any archive material to jimmy@jimmycricket.co.uk
Thanks – and have a meal on me! 150 150 mhamer

Thanks – and have a meal on me!

 

The technical crew used Jimmy's money to go to an Italian restaurant

The technical crew used Jimmy’s money to go to an Italian restaurant

Jimmy Cricket recently completed a five-month summer season in Eastbourne – and thanked the technical crew by treating them to an Italian meal.

On the last night of the show, Sentimental Journey, at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, the famous Irish comedian gave each of the technical staff a tenner as a small token of his appreciation for all their help.

The four, Megan, James, Tim and Jo, went out and spent Jimmy’s financial contribution at an Italian restaurant.

And they sent Jimmy a message of appreciation and said they had all enjoyed working with Jimmy over the summer season.

It read:

Jimmy,

With a hearty thanks from the Royal Hippodrome Crew who enjoyed a splendid post season three-course meal thanks to your generosity.

It’s been a pleasure working with you.

Best regards,

Megan, James, Tim & Jo xx

The crew sent Jimmy photos of them having the meal and he immediately recognised the Italian restaurant as he used to frequent it often over the summer when he was in the resort.

Praise for community volunteers 150 150 mhamer

Praise for community volunteers

Jimmy Cricket on the Festival Drayton Centre posterIrish comedian Jimmy Cricket was impressed by a festival centre in Market Drayton which is owned and run by the local community.

The Festival Drayton Centre hosts dance classes, martial arts, adult educational courses, a licensed coffee shop and a state-of-the-art cinema and theatre.

And Jimmy really enjoyed his visit to the north Shropshire theatre, where he performed at the weekend.

He said: “There is one paid member of staff called Glyn Jackson, who is the theatre manager. But everyone else – including the technical staff and box office staff – are all dedicated and passionate individuals who want to retain a live venue in the town of Market Drayton.”

Jimmy was especially full of praise over how the theatre is run by Glyn and was grateful for the help of Peter the technician who helped him with the running of the show.

Established in 1984, the centre underwent a major refurbishment in 2004, resulting in it becoming the Best Regional Winner of the West Midlands Market Towns Award two years later.

Rocking around the clock (on the beach) 150 150 mhamer

Rocking around the clock (on the beach)
Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket met professional organist Chris Mannion in Eastbourne

Jimmy Cricket met professional organist Chris Mannion in Eastbourne

Jimmy Cricket had them rocking around the clock on the beach this summer!

The famous Irish comedian has recalled the occasion he met professional organist Chris Mannion.

It was on the day that Jimmy appeared live on ITV’s breakfast show, Daybreak, in Eastbourne on the south coast.

“Chris was playing his keyboard as part of the outside broadcast when I arrived on the scene and got the assembled crowd to sing Rock Around The Clock,” laughs Jimmy.

“Chris is a professional organist and is very accomplished. He not only plays at various concerts in Eastbourne, where he lives, but he is much in demand across the country and this extends to playing engagements on cruise ships.

“He is not just a talented person, but a really lovely guy as well.”

Find out more about Chris at http://www.chris-mannion.co.uk.

Jimmy was in Eastbourne two days a week during the summer, starring in Sentimental Journey, which ran at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in the East Sussex town until 26 September.

‘Hit for six by star comic’s latest reinvention’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Hit for six by star comic’s latest reinvention’

South Wales Argus article about Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket and his wellies had them laughing in the Valleys recently.

The famous Irish comedian performed at Pontypool Park in Pontypool, south Wales, in mid-August.

A feature all about Jimmy and his successful showbiz career appeared in the South Wales Argus a week before the show.

The newspaper article began… If you were a keen viewer of comedy sketch shows in the 1980s, the name Jimmy Cricket stirs up many a comical image.

Remembered for reading humorous letters from his “mammy” while sporting an out-of-shape hat, a dinner jacket matched with a pair of cut-off evening trousers and a trademark pair of wrongly matched wellies clearly marked “L” and “R”, Jimmy was loved by young and old alike for his numerous TV and radio appearances.

The Irish-born comedian’s training ground stretches back to the 1960s when he was a redcoat in Butlins holiday camps organising everything from darts matches to hula-hoop contests.

“Looking back, it’s like what young people do for these performance degrees,” he says.

“I suppose the holiday camps were a bit like that because you learned how to project to the back of the theatre and to put stage make up on. It held me in great stead for pantomime and things like that…”

Reward for outstanding courtesy 150 150 mhamer

Reward for outstanding courtesy

The article appeared in the 11 September edition of the Eastbourne Gazette

Comedian Jimmy Cricket, who prides himself on his clean humour, has helped to honour a man for outstanding courtesy and good customer service.

The Belfast-born, Rochdale-based funnyman was on hand to present Jack Pout from Eastbourne his award on behalf of the National Campaign for Courtesy.

Jack, aged 18, works at his parents’ business Seaside Furniture and was nominated by shopper Edward Thomas, who lives in Eastbourne and is a member of the campaign.

The presentation featuring Jimmy, who is a patron of the campaign, and Jack was reported by the Eastbourne Gazette and on the Eastbourne Herald online.

Also at the presentation were campaign chairman Peter Foot and Mr Thomas.

Other campaign patrons include:

DAVID HAMILTON
ROY HUDD OBE
DOUG McKENZIE
DIANA MORAN
PENNY PALMANO
ESTHER RANTZEN CBE
JOAN REGAN
THE CHIEF RABBI LORD SACKS OF ALDGATE
MARY ANN SIEGHART
JUNE WHITFIELD CBE

Jimmy has been performing in Eastbourne twice a week since 1 May in the family show Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre. It finishes next Wednesday (26 September).

Topping the bill at a memorial concert 150 150 mhamer

Topping the bill at a memorial concert
Jimmy and Kelvin (who is pictured far left) singers Big D and Micky Diamond and host Ryan Dollard

Jimmy and Kelvin (who is pictured far left) with singers Big D and Mickey Diamond and host Ryan Dollard

Jimmy Cricket, who has been spending two days a week during the summer performing in Eastbourne, was at the other end of the country at the weekend.

The Rochdale-based entertainer topped the bill in the third annual LW Rock 4 Macmillan concert at The Shepherds Inn & Auctioneer in Carlisle.

All proceeds raised at the event, held in memory of Lance Wood who died in 2009 from liver cancer, were donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Lance’s son, Kelvin J Wood, organises the show and also appeared as he is the lead singer of an indie rock band from Carlisle called The Mass.

Gretna Social Club hosted the first two annual events but its popularity has grown so much that Kelvin was forced to switch to a larger venue.

Other acts appearing alongside Jimmy and Kelvin’s band included singers Big D and Mickey Diamond.

The  evening was hosted by local ITV reporter Ryan Dollard.

Jimmy said: “The show raised hundreds of pounds and everyone had a fabulous time!”

Jimmy starred in the third annual LW Rock 4 Macmillan concert at The Shepherds Inn & Auctioneer in Carlisle

Jimmy starred in the annual LW Rock 4 Macmillan concert at The Shepherds Inn & Auctioneer in Carlisle