Come 'ere there's more!

When the promoters of my favourite comedy club told me they were doing a "Comedy Legends" night in Hull, I juumped at the chance to go along. Having already met Frank Sidebottom and Charlie Chuck who I remember watching in the eighties and ninetees on various television programmes, I wondered who'd be next?! It turns out that it was one James Mulgrew, also known as Jinmmy Cricket!

Jimmy started out as all of the old school comics did... at Butlins! His Red Coat life began in 1966 at the Butlins Holiday camp at Mosney, County Meath followed by two summers at Clacton on Sea in Essex. In the early seventies he moved in the North West and began working at the Pontins holiday camps in Southport and Morecambe.

Over time he managed to perfect his take on the 'thick Irishman' stereotype act, including his catchphrases "come 'ere" and "...and there's more" and his distinctive outfit of cut-off trousers, tuxedo, hat and wellies marked ‘L’ and ‘R’ – always on the wrong feet, see above!

Unlike many comics of his generation, it wasn't fhe famous 'Comedians' show on ITV that made his name, as he never appeared on it. Instead he came to prominence in 1981 after reaching the finals of the ITV talent hunt 'Search For A Star'. I then remember seeing him on his own telly show called 'And There's More', which was given to him by Central Television and actually gave impressionist Rory Bremner his first TV appearance. He's also had his own show on BBC Radio 2 called 'Jimmy's Cricket Team', and featured on 'The Krankies Klub' alongside The Krankies and Bobby Davro, again both legends! He also appeared on the Royal Variety Show in 1984. He returned to Clacton-on-Sea in 2006 to star in 'Summer Special', an eight week summer show, at the Westcliff Theatre.

He's also been a regular pantomime star over the years, appearing in no less than 17 to date!

Most recently, you may have seen him in the video for the Comic Relief charity single '500 Miles' with The Proclaimers, Peter Kay and Matt Lucas.

He married wife May in 1974 (who does a cracking Dolly Parton impression) and they have four children Dale, Frank, Jamie, and Katie – who is now working the comedy circuit herself.

Unlike his warm up acts on the night, Jimmy Cricket's humour was good clean family fun, and always has been... and yes, he was still funny! I think it's a shame when artists feel the need to swear in every other sentence, it doesn't make their jokes any funnier does it? They could learn a lot from this REAL comedy legend. Jimmy Cricket - I salute you!

Related links:

• Jimmy Cricket's website.