Jimmy Cricket, the beloved Northern Irish comedian known for his distinctive simpleton persona, has died at the age of 80 following a brief illness. Born James Joseph Mulgrew on October 17, 1945, in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Cricket rose to fame for his clean, family-friendly humor and his catchphrase, “And there’s more!”
Mulgrew’s early career reflected a challenging period in Northern Ireland during the 1970s when he initially struggled to connect with audiences in working men’s clubs across northern England. His first act, featuring clever jokes delivered in formal attire, was met with hostility from audiences weary of tension and conflict at home. After a period of reflection, Mulgrew revamped his stage persona into that of a “downtrodden simpleton,” using literal interpretations of common phrases to generate laughter. This approach allowed audiences to engage with his comedy without offense and helped him win over fans.
Growing up as the youngest of five children in a Catholic family, Mulgrew’s father was an undertaker known for his unconventional approach to his work. After his father’s death when Jimmy was just eight years old, the family faced financial hardships—his mother worked in a Lucozade factory while his siblings contributed to the household income. These early struggles influenced Mulgrew’s comedic outlook, which often drew on everyday hardships and the resilience found in humor.
Cricket’s career began in earnest after he won a lookalike contest in the mid-1960s and worked at various holiday camps, including Butlin’s in County Meath and Pontins in Morecambe. He married Marion “May” Tweedie, a singer and waitress, in 1974, who supported him during difficult times. Encouraged by his friend and fellow comedian Frank Carson to continue performing regardless of the size of the audiences or payment, Mulgrew honed his craft through persistent touring.
National recognition came in 1980 when he reached the semi-finals of London Weekend Television’s “Search for a Star.” From there, he toured alongside prominent acts such as Cannon and Ball and the Krankies and made several television appearances, including the Royal Variety Performance. His own ITV show launched in 1985 and ran for six series. In the early 1990s, he transitioned to radio, producing four series of “Jimmy’s Cricket Team” on BBC Radio 2.
Throughout his career, Cricket remained committed to delivering material that was suitable for all ages, often invoking his Catholic faith and praying before performances to bring joy and distraction to his audiences. In 2015, he was honored as a papal knight in recognition of his contributions.
Cricket is survived by his wife May and their four children. His family includes Dale, an events organizer; Jamie, a school headteacher in Florida; Katie Mulgrew, who followed her father into comedy; and Frankie, a former comedian who became a Catholic priest. Even in his final days, Cricket maintained his humor, reportedly sharing jokes with hospital staff as he approached the end of his life.