Jimmy Cricket, 80, dies after short illness on Aug 3 2026

Jimmy Cricket, the beloved Northern Irish comedian known for his family-friendly humor and signature catchphrase, has died at the age of 80. His family confirmed he passed away on the morning of August 3, 2026, following a short illness, with his final days spent surrounded by family.

Born James Joseph Mulgrew in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Cricket left school at 16 and began his entertainment career as a holiday camp Redcoat. He honed his act on the northern English comedy circuit in the 1970s before his breakthrough on the TV talent show "Search for a Star" in 1980. He became a household name throughout the 1980s, recognized for his visual gag of wearing Wellington boots marked "L" and "R" on the wrong feet, along with a tailcoat and short trousers.

His television success was cemented with his own ITV series, "And There's More!", which ran from 1985 to 1988. He was a frequent guest on popular shows including "The Good Old Days," "Bullseye," and "The Krankies Klub," and appeared at the Royal Variety Performance in 1984. His career later expanded to radio, where he starred in the BBC Radio 2 series "Jimmy's Cricket Team" during the 1990s.

In a heartfelt statement shared on social...