Beloved comedian Jimmy Cricket passes away at 80 (Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The world of comedy mourns the loss of the legendary entertainer, Jimmy Cricket, who has died at the age of 80. Known offstage as James Mulgrew, Jimmy passed peacefully, enveloped by family, after a brief battle with illness. A statement shared by his family on Facebook expressed their deep sorrow: “Our beloved Jimmy left us this morning, following a short illness. He spent his last days in the comfort of his family, filled with love, laughter, and song. Throughout his career, Jimmy spread joy and laughter to audiences everywhere—whether on stage, the screen, the radio, or in personal encounters.”
“Yet, the happiness he brought his family surpassed all,” his family continued. “He was a devoted husband to May, with whom he shared fifty-two precious years. To his four children, he was a cherished father, and to his four grandchildren, an amusingly silly granddad. To us, he was our greatest advocate who loved us with all his heart. His passion for people and his craft as a stand-up comedian was evident. What an extraordinary life he led.”
Jimmy Cricket became a household name in the 1970s (Image: Getty)
“Eternally our clown, he kept us smiling, sharing jokes with the wonderful NHS staff and with all of us, right until the end,” they added. “His bravery, grace, and unwavering positivity through his challenges were truly uplifting. A beacon of joy, his absence leaves the world a much less jovial place today.”
“We were going to end by using his famous catchphrase and say, ‘There’s no More’. But Jimmy was a man of great faith and a Papal Knight of the Catholic Church. He believed that death is not the end and was looking forward to eternity, so really…And there’s more.”
The Northern Irish comedian first rose to prominence in the 1970s, working as a Bluecoat at Pontins in Southport and Morecambe.
He fronted four shows on the TV series And There’s More, named after his best-known catchphrase, from 1985 to 1988. He also hosted the BBC Radio 2 series Jimmy’s Cricket Team during the 90s.
Other notable television appearances included Bullseye in 1984, being the subject of This Is Your Life, and performing on the Comic Relief charity single, a cover of I’m Gonna Be (500 miles).
Jimmy toured the UK with other notable performers throughout his career, including The Osmonds, Brotherhood of Man, magician Paul Daniels and comedy duo The Krankies.
He was planning to tour in August, however, revealed on his website that he had to take a step back for health reasons. He wrote: “I have to take a little sabbatical for health reasons and have started treatment.”
Jimmy’s close friend and fellow comedian Freddie ‘Parrot Face’ Davies has paid an emotional tribute to the late star, saying: “Jimmy Cricket (James Mulgrew) was a dear friend and we were in contact many times over the years. Jimmy started like me, as a Butlin Redcoat…
“Our paths crossed many many times over the years. In 2023 I asked him to join us for the show ‘Legends of Variety’, but he was too busy doing his own show…
Jimmy was due to tour in the Autumn, but was forced to pull out due to health reasons (Image: Getty)
“The Christmas of 2014 I was asked to direct ‘Snow White’. At the Charter Theatre Preston, Jimmy was the star of the show…
“He was a delight to work with and his gentle comedy was a relaxing change. One always felt comfortable in his company. His adoring wife May was always at his side and he lovingly referred to her as Mrs. Cricket…
“The last time I saw him was at a Ken Dodd memorial lunch in Liverpool last December where he had the packed audience in hysterical laughter with his wonderful Irishness…
“He was a true funny Bones comic, a throw back to Variety days. I will miss you Jim, god bless you and RIP.”
Jimmy had four children with May, his wife of 52 years, and four grandchildren.