‘Please share your memories of Jimmy Cricket’


So kind and generous

A magician and a ventriloquist helped to make it a night of real variety at a show staged in a church in Kent.
Steve Hewlett and Mark Shortland performed at St Margaret’s Church of England in Rainham, along with famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.
Steve, a ventriloquist from Basingstoke in Hampshire, was a finalist on the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent.
Watch his performance in the 2013 final here.
Mark is a comedic magician who auditioned for both Series 10 and 14 of Britain’s Got Talent.
He was 51 years old at the time of his second audition, which was televised.
Watch Mark playing musical musical chairs with the BGT judges!
St Margaret’s is a diverse and inclusive church which has served the community of Rainham for more than 800 years.
Jimmy said after the show on Friday 26 April: “My thanks to organiser the Rev Nathan Ward for tonight’s show @StMargaretsChurch.
“Caught up with two great BGT/ventriloquist/Eyes&T acts and friendseethPodcasts Steve Hewlett, with his lovely daughter Lola, & magician Mark Shortland.
“And thanks to the hard-working volunteers too!”
All Jimmy’s tour dates are on his website here.
Don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.
The paperback version costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon. It is also available via eBook and audio.
Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.
Additionally, it is available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10, where Jimmy will also sign it.
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.
Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!
He had previously said he was proud to launch his own podcast in 2020.
“Every incredible guest has a story & shares much laughter & happiness! The first has me talking to myself,” he commented.
Jimmy recently celebrated his 75th birthday by appearing at The Comedy Lounge in Hull.
He said afterwards: “A big thank you to everyone @LoungeComedy as they celebrated my birthday with me tonight.
“My thanks to that great fellow comic @mikemcclean5 and to Paul and Bev who own this wonderful comedy venue.
“I was throughly spoilt with a fabulous cake and cards and presents! #SaveTheArts.”
The photos above were taken at the event.
Jimmy also received lots of happy birthday messages via social media.
“Can I say a big, ‘Thank You’, to all those who took the time today to send me, Birthday Greetings,” he added.
“Sending Love and Best Wishes from me and Mrs C. xx”
Also read: Mammy’s letters are handy reading for the garden!
Popular ventriloquist Steve Hewlett has the perfect answer to what to read during the coronavirus lockdown – two Jimmy Cricket books!
Steve, who was a finalist in the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent, posted a photo of the books on Twitter.
He tagged Jimmy in it and said: “I might read these this weekend in the garden.”
The books are the first and second editions of Come ‘ere There’s More! Letters from Me Mammy.
Jimmy is particularly well-known for the letters he reads on stage from his Mammy back in Northern Ireland.
They helped him to become a household name back in the 1980s.
Steve has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall and guested as a ventriloquist on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
He has headlined summer seasons and comedy clubs as well as devising, producing & appearing in countless variety shows.
Over the years, he has worked with many top-class performers, including the Osmonds, the Stylistics, the late Sir Ken Dodd, the late Roy Hudd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tom O’Connor, Bobby Davro and many more.
And Jimmy himself of course!
They both performed in a fund-raising show in September 2018 in memory of the late Keith Harris.
The event, called Eyes & Teeth, took place at the Viva Blackpool in the west Lancashire seaside resort.
All the money raised went towards The Keith Harris & Orville Statue Fund as part of a campaign to erect a memorial in the town for the late ventriloquist.
Keith 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.
Also read: Message of hope: ‘After the storm comes the rainbow…’
Blackpool bonanza in aid of statue for Keith Harris
Steve Hewlett’s profile on social media channel Twitter
Jimmy Cricket has been paying tribute in his latest newspaper column to ventriloquist Keith Harris, who died last month.
Keith, who, with his puppet duck Orville, became a regular feature of Saturday night TV in the 1980s, was 67.
He entertained generations of children with his sidekick Orville, a bright green duck who wore a nappy and spoke in a high-pitched voice but couldn’t fly. He also gave life to the popular puppet Cuddles the monkey, whose catchphrase was ‘I hate that duck!’
In addition to fronting The Keith Harris Show on BBC One, he (and Orville) gave private performances at birthday parties for Prince William and his brother Harry, at the request of Diana, Princess of Wales.
His 1982 single, Orville’s Song, was a top five hit, selling more than 400,000 copies.
In his May column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening News, Jimmy says: “Most ventriloquists that are successful discover one dummy that tickles people’s funny bone, but Keith was blessed with two.
“In 1983, holidaymakers were still visiting our summer resorts en masse and Keith’s show was a sellout from start to finish.
“Keith Harris – you weren’t just a superb ventriloquist, you were a great showman and producer.
“We salute you.”