Jimmy returns to the Gladstone Theatre (From Wirral Globe)

Jimmy returns to the Gladstone Theatre

10:50am Monday 12th October 2009

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JIMMY Cricket returns to the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight later this month.

The Irish funnyman and playwright - famous for his trademark outfit of cut-off evening trousers, tuxedo, hat and wellies which are marked ‘L’ and ‘R’ but worn on the wrong feet - comes to the venue on October 24 as part of his laughter tour.

Rochdale-based Jimmy, 63, whose catchphrases include "Come 'ere" and "There's more..." told the Globe: "It's been about two years since I was last in Port Sunlight and I’m really looking forward to coming back. I call these places my boomerang gigs.

"Obviously times have changed since then. For example, the credit crunch has come around.

"But it hasn't affected me that much. I recently bought a watch on tick, a pair of glasses on spec and a Peter Pan DVD on the never-never," he joked.

Born James Mulgrew in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, he left school at 16 and spent the next two years working in a betting shop, before working as a Red Coat in Butlins Holiday camp at Mosney, County Meath, in the summer of 1966.

He spent the following two summers at Butlins in Clacton.

By the early 1970s he was living and working as a comedian in Manchester. He later adopted the surname cricket, after the character in Pinocchio.

From 1972 he worked at Pontin’s camps in Southport and Morecambe and returned to Clacton-on-Sea in 2006 to star in an eight week summer show.

He has had his own radio and television shows and appeared on the Royal Variety Show in 1984. He receently appeared with fellow comics Matt Lucas and Peter Kay in the comic relief video of The Proclaimers’ song I would walk 500 Miles.

Jimmy Cricket's humour is described as entirely clean, in marked contrast to some other Irish comedians.

A popular theme of his comedy is Irish logic, and the letter from his ‘Mammy’.

Apart from touring, Jimmy is also writing a musical inspired by the story of James Magennis, the last man from Northern Ireland to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Jimmy is indebted to George Fleming, author of the book, Magennis VC, for his inspiration.

Tracks from the musical can be heard on his website: jimmycricket.co.uk on which a half hour version of the story can be heard.

Jimmy narrates through the eyes of Jim’s older brother Bill who preceded him into the navy and whose letters home inspired Jim to head off to sea himself.

The Globe has two pairs of tickets for Jimmy's show on October 24.

For a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: What is Jimmy’s actual surname?

Send the answer, with your contact details, to: Jimmy Cricket, Wirral Globe, Haymarket Court, Hinson Street, Birkenhead CH41 5BX. The entry deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, October 13.

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