Comedian Jimmy Cricket Dies Aged 80 Comedian Jimmy Cricket, a beloved figure in British entertainment, has passed away at the age of 80 following a brief illness. His family confirmed his death in a heartfelt social media statement, describing him as a source of joy and laughter throughout his life. They shared that Cricket spent his final days surrounded by loved ones, continuing to entertain with his signature humor even in his final moments. "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," they wrote. Born James Joseph Mulgrew in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in 1945, Cricket launched his career at a young age. He left school at 16 and began his professional journey as a Redcoat for Butlins during the summer of 1966. This early experience in holiday parks helped him hone his comedic craft, leading to a successful run in the comedy club scene during the 1970s and 1980s. His talent earned him a place in LWT's Search for a Star talent contest, ultimately securing his own TV show on ITV and a radio series on BBC Radio 2. Cricket became a household name in the 1970s, known for his distinctive catchphrases and iconic onstage appearance—a battered bowler hat, tails, rolled-up trousers, and wellington boots adorned with "R" and "L" on the front. His humor was characterized by its simplicity and warmth, resonating with audiences across generations. Colleagues and fans alike praised his humility and dedication. Northern Ireland comedian John Linehan, famous for his pantomime dame character May McFettridge, described Cricket as "so nice and he was so humble. He was so funny... he was just a star, he was just so modest, just so simple in what he did and everybody loved him.#itv #jimmy_cricket #john_linehan #ted_robbins #bbc_radio_2
