COMEDIAN Jimmy Cricket may have embraced new technology and dabble with Twitter but the traditional funnyman still prefers a letter from his "mammy".

The 67-year-old comedy icon will appear at Henighans, Bury Road, Breightmet, on Friday, July 25, with his trademark wellington boots, famous letters from his Mammy and catchphrases of “come closer” and “there's more”.

He said: “I put the odd tweet out.

“I can’t understand these selfies on the mobile you take.

“I took a selfie but one of my arms was missing from the picture!
“I’m not sure I do understand it really. The tweets are great and e mails and things but I do still like the letter.

“I read the letter from my mammy.

“I like that little bit of tradition, she wouldn’t come to terms with an e mail.”

Born in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, Jimmy left school at 16 and worked for two years in a betting shop, before spending the summer of 1966 as a Redcoat in Butlin’s holiday camp, County Meath.

He went on to win LWT’s talent contest, Search For A Star, and was later given his own series on Central Television in the mid-1980s, And There’s More.

Jimmy’s last gig in Bolton was at the Albert Halls, with fellow comedian Mick Miller in 2012, and he is looking forward to his return.

He said: “I am, very much so.

“I live in Rochdale so not a million miles away.

“I’m doing more of these comedy clubs.“

Next month, he will be reunited with old pal and legendary comic, Ken Dodd, at a gig in Bridlington, as well as a replacement pair of concrete wellington boots.

He said: “I had a pair of concrete wellies that Ken Dodd gave me for my 50th birthday.

“Last April, they vanished from my front garden, they were nicked.

“It was quite devastating for me.”

The entertainer is famous for wearing wellington boots, marked with the letters R and L on the wrong feet, during his acts.

He said Mrs Cricket tracked down a new pair of wellies, for £20 off eBay, which Ken will sign and present to Jimmy to replace the stolen pair which were of great sentimental value to the comic.

Speaking of Ken, Jimmy said: “His enthusiasm is contagious. What a career. He is quite unique.”
Jimmy also enjoys catching up with the likes of former Catchphrase host and funnyman, Roy Walker, comedian and musician Buzz Hawkins, creator of fictional radio family The Bradshaws, and John Hamp, producer of The Comedians, at events across the North.

He said: “They are nice, we can chin-wag and come and cheer people up.”

As well as comedy gigs, Jimmy is working on an album of comedy ditties, due for release at Christmas, with a sprinkling of more serious songs.

Jimmy, who will appear in pantomime in Preston this festive season, said: “I’m working on that with a record producer over in the Midlands. That’s my exciting thing for Christmas.”

Jimmy Cricket — the Legend at the Comedy Club will be at Henighans, Bury Road, Breightmet, with MC Lee Tommo and two support comedians on Friday, July 25.

Tickets cost £10, call 01204 435 428. Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.