Jimmy Cricket dead aged 80: TV & radio comedy legend dies after short illness as family pay tribute

COMEDIAN Jimmy Cricket has died aged 80 after battling a short illness. The Northern Irish star was known for his clean humour and appeared on several Royal Variety Shows. Jimmy’s family confirmed he died after battling a short illness Credit: Peter Lomas Comedian Jimmy Cricket has died aged 80 Credit: ANL Born in 1945 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Jimmy started working in holiday camps from age 18. The comedian worked at Pontins holiday camp in Southport and Morecombe from 1972. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! He later toured the UK with a host of other artists including The Osmonds, Brotherhood of Man, and comedians such as Paul Daniels and The Krankies. Jimmy’s show And There’s More was produced by Central Television and he later had his own radio series for BBC Radio 2 called Jimmy’s Cricket Team. Jimmy in his trademark outfit of a cut-off evening trousers and a tailcoat Credit: Shutterstock Jimmy passed away surrounded by his family Credit: Peter Lomas Other notable TV appearances include Bullseye in 1984, being the subject of This Is Your Life, and as one of the performers in the Comic Relief cover of I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). He was known for his trademark outfit of cut-off evening trousers, a tailcoat, hat and a pair of Wellington boots on the wrong feet. Following his career in showbiz he lived in Lancashire with his wife May. He had four children and four grandchildren and his family have confirmed his death today. Most read in Showbiz They wrote: “Our beloved Jimmy passed away this morning after a short illness. He spent his last few days surrounded by his family, love, laughter and songs. Jimmy brought so much laughter and happiness to countless audiences in his career over the years. “ Whether on stage, screen or radio, or if you met him in person as well. “But that was nothing to the happiness he gave to his family. A devoted husband to May for fifty two years. “A wonderful dad to his four children and very silly grandad indeed to his four grandchildren. He was our greatest champion and loved us all loudly. He also just loved people and he absolutely loved being a stand up comedian. What a life he lived. “Forever our clown, he was cracking jokes to the wonderful NHS staff and to us all, right until the end. His courage, dignity and positivity through all he endured was inspirational. “A force for joy, we are just all very sad that the world is a far less sillier 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.” Comment now