Comedian Jimmy Cricket, famed for his catchphrase, dies at 80
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James Mulgrew, better known as comedian Jimmy Cricket, has died aged 80 after a short illness, his family has confirmed. The Northern Irish entertainer became a household name in 1980s British television, famed for his catchphrase "And there's more!" and his trademark tailcoat and wellington boots deliberately worn on the wrong feet, and news of his death prompted tributes to a performer widely remembered for family-friendly comedy and warmth off stage as well as on it.
Born in Cookstown, Cricket worked as a Butlin's Redcoat before building a career on the northern comedy circuit, breaking through on the talent show Search for a Star in 1980 and going on to front his own ITV series, appear at the 1984 Royal Variety Performance and feature on BBC's The Good Old Days, later moving into radio with Jimmy's Cricket Team. He was married to May Tweedie for 52 years and had four children and four grandchildren, and was deeply committed to charity work, including fundraising for Manchester's Francis House Children's Hospice, for which he received a papal knighthood from Pope Francis in 2015.
- Comedian Jimmy Cricket has died aged 80 after a short illness
- Famed for "And there's more!" catchphrase and 1980s ITV/BBC fame
- Received papal knighthood in 2015 for charity fundraising work
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James Mulgrew, better known by his stage name Jimmy Cricket, was a Northern Irish comedian who rose to prominence on British television in the 1980s. He was instantly recognisable for his catchphrase and his distinctive costume, which included a tailcoat and wellington boots worn the wrong way round. His career began in holiday camps and regional comedy clubs before he went on to host his own ITV show and appear on major BBC variety programmes and the Royal Variety Performance.
Away from performing, Cricket was known for his charity work, particularly in support of children's hospices, and for taking part in large-scale fundraising events. He was married for fifty years and was widely described as a devoted family man, and in 2015 he was made a papal knight by Pope Francis in recognition of his charitable service.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Jimmy Cricket, comedian known for his ‘And there’s more!’ catchphrase, dies aged 80”.