Jimmy Cricket 1945 – present
Another legend still going strong. Jimmy Cricket, the popular Irish Comedian that is seen on TV all too rarely these days. Perhaps best known for his trademark wellies and family friendly humour. These days you’ll find him as a regular at summer seasons up and down the country.
Quick Bio
Born James Mulgrew 17 October 1945, in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, to a family of four brothers and one sister, whose Father was an Undertaker.
Leaving school at 16 he spent two years working in a betting shop. In 1966 he followed the path of many well known entertainers and got a job at Butlins in Money, County Meath as a Red Coat.
Jimmy would spend the summers of 1967 and 1968 at Butlins in Clacton. It was here he began to further develop his act, as he picked up ideas from the other Redcoats and visting acts. With his new ideas he put together the beginnings of his comedy act getting people to laugh at his gentle Irish humour.
After Butlins there was a brief time as a door to door salesman around the pubs and clubs of Manchester. In 1972 it was back to the holiday camps this time as Pontins Blue Coat working in the Southport and Morecambe camps.
Career
From his days with Pontins Jimmy continued to develop the character that would propel him to stardom around the Northern Club circuit, reaching the second finals of the TV show Search For A Star and performing in ITV’s Royal Gala Show: A Night of a Hundred Stars in front of HRH Princess Margaret.
At the height of his career he had his own TV series, produced by Central Television called And There’s More (also notable for including the first TV appearance by Rory Bremner). He also had his own radio series for BBC Radio 2. He featured in The Krankies Klub alongside The Krankies and Bobby Davro. He also appeared on the Royal Variety Show in 1984.
Jimmy Cricket was one of a number of veteran performers to appear in the video for the 2007 Comic Relief single, a cover of The Proclaimers song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Matt Lucas as Andy Pipkin and Peter Kay as Brian Potter.
Today Jimmy Cricket still tours the country playing to sell out audiences.
Clips
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