Jimmy Cricket - The comic who left Tameside smiling

Ashton authors Philip and David Williams pay tribute to TV and theatre star

British comedy lost one of its best-loved gentlemen with the passing of Jimmy Cricket earlier this month. Although Jimmy was a nationally loved comedian, he also had strong connections with Tameside through his appearances at the Hippodrome and his support for local charitable events. Ashton authors and historians Philip and David Williams were fortunate enough to spend time with him while researching their book, ‘Boo & Hiss: Ashton-under-Lyne’s Panto History’ and later interviewed him again in 2022, and share their personal memories alongside his local story and career…

By Philip and David Williams

For more than half a century, Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket entertained generations with his unique brand of clean, family-friendly humour, his trademark wellington boots worn on the wrong feet, and his famous catchphrase, “And there’s more.”

His family announced that Jimmy, whose real name was James Mulgrew, died after a short illness, surrounded by his family, with “love, laughter and songs”. Rather than saying “There’s no more”, they reflected Jimmy’s deep Christian faith by ending their tribute with the words that became his trademark: “And there’s more.”

For us, however, Jimmy Cricket was much more than a television star. While researching our book ‘Boo & Hiss: Ashton-under-Lyne’s Panto History’, Jimmy welcomed us into his Rochdale home. We expected to meet one of Britain’s best-loved comedians. Instead, we found ourselves spending time with one of the nicest people in British showbusiness.

Remarkable career

There was no trace of showbusiness ego. Jimmy greeted us like old friends, immediately putting everyone at ease with his warmth, humour and genuine interest in other people. Conversation flowed effortlessly as he recalled a remarkable career spanning holiday camps, working men’s clubs, television, theatre and pantomime.

Among the many stories he shared, one had him laughing as much as anyone else. Ken Dodd had once presented Jimmy with a pair of concrete wellington boots as a tribute to his famous stage costume. The heavy ornaments were proudly displayed in his garden until one day they disappeared. Jimmy recalled telling the police to “watch out for a thief with a hernia and a bad back”. It was a line delivered with impeccable comic timing, even years after the event.

Thankfully, the story had a happy ending. Ken Dodd later spotted a replacement pair of concrete wellies for sale on eBay, bought them, signed them and presented them to Jimmy once again. It spoke volumes about the affection and respect between two of Britain’s finest comedians.

Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, on 17 October 1945, Jimmy moved with his family to Belfast when he was just two years old. His father ran a grocery shop, where the young Jimmy quickly discovered that making customers laugh came naturally. Even then, entertaining people was all he wanted to do.

After leaving school at 16, he worked a series of jobs before becoming a Butlin’s Redcoat in 1966. From there he learned his craft in holiday camps and theatres, developing the gentle Irish storytelling style that became his trademark. A move to the Manchester area introduced him to the northern club circuit before he returned to holiday camps as a Pontins Bluecoat.

It was at Morecambe in 1972 that he met waitress and singer May, who would become his wife, greatest supporter and constant companion throughout 52 years of marriage.

National fame

National recognition followed his appearance on ITV's ‘Search for a Star’. Although he finished runner-up, his performances impressed host Des O'Connor, who invited him to appear regularly on his television shows. Those appearances introduced Jimmy Cricket to a national audience and paved the way for ‘Royal Variety performances’, and ‘The Good Old Days’.

His own ITV series, ‘And There’s More’, made him a household name during the 1980s. Dressed in his cut-off evening trousers, black tails, battered hat and wellington boots marked ‘L’ and ‘R’, but always worn on the wrong feet, Jimmy became instantly recognisable. Unlike many comedians, he never relied on bad language or crude humour. Parents could take children to see Jimmy Cricket, knowing everyone would leave smiling.

Success never changed him. When we interviewed him in 2022 to celebrate more than 50 years in showbusiness, he remained exactly the same warm, modest man we had met while researching Boo & Hiss. He spoke with particular affection about pantomime, calling Buttons his favourite role and explaining that entertaining children required a different skill from performing for adults.

“Panto is a time for kids and visual gags,” he told us. “If you’re doing a matinee for an audience primarily of children, then patter and gags go down the spout. So I always put in plenty of slapstick.”

Those words perfectly summed up his understanding of family entertainment.

TAMESIDE APPEARANCES: Jimmy was in panto and a special Willow Wood charity fundraiser at the Hippodrome over the years.

Tameside audiences were fortunate enough to enjoy Jimmy Cricket’s talents on several occasions. He appeared as Buttons in the hugely successful 1997 production of ‘Cinderella’ at the Tameside Hippodrome, returning two years later to play Simple Simon in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. He also topped the bill at the Royal Gala Show at the Hippodrome in April 2005 in aid of Willow Wood Hospice.

Jimmy had especially fond memories of his time in Ashton. Living in nearby Rochdale meant he could return home to his family after every performance, something many touring performers rarely experienced. When we spoke to him, he recalled the warmth of Tameside audiences and the special atmosphere at the Hippodrome, saying performers always appreciated the reception they received, whatever the size of the house.

His kindness backstage was remembered just as vividly as his performances. Fellow cast members from the 1997 production of ‘Cinderella’ recalled how Jimmy helped settle first-night nerves and was always generous with advice. Actress Lisa George described him as “a sweetheart”, while broadcaster Paul Crone remembered him as “such a lovely man”, always willing to help less experienced performers.

Away from the spotlight, Jimmy devoted countless hours to charitable work, raising money for good causes throughout Britain. In recognition of his charitable work, he was awarded a Papal Knighthood in 2015, an honour he accepted with characteristic humility.

Tributes have come from across the entertainment world. Tim Vine remembered him as “a lovely, inspiring, funny man”, while Ted Robbins described him as “one of the last great comics” whose humour was “never blue, just funny”. Their words reflected what audiences had known for decades. Jimmy Cricket showed that you did not need bad language or controversy to make people laugh. His warmth, kindness and professionalism earned him admiration from audiences and fellow performers alike.

Ashton-under-Lyne will remember him not simply as a famous name who appeared on the Hippodrome stage, but as someone who delighted local audiences and left lasting memories for those fortunate enough to work alongside him.

The wellington boots have finally been put away, but the laughter they inspired will live on. As Jimmy always reminded us, “And there’s more.”