Jimmy Cricket was the stage name of James Mulgrew, a much-loved Northern Irish comedian, entertainer and writer who charmed audiences across Britain and Ireland for more than five decades. Famous for his gentle, family-friendly humour, his trademark reversed wellington boots, and his signature catchphrase, “and there’s more,” he rose from the holiday-camp circuit to become a television headliner in the 1980s. A warm and enduring figure in British and Irish comedy, he died on 3 August 2026 at the age of 80, prompting affectionate tributes from across the entertainment world.
Jimmy Cricket Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | James Mulgrew |
| Stage Name | Jimmy Cricket |
| Date of Birth | 17 October 1945 |
| Date of Death | 3 August 2026 (aged 80) |
| Birthplace | Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Northern Irish (British) |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Profession | Comedian, radio and television personality, writer |
| Known For | His catchphrase “and there’s more” and the show And There’s More |
| Years Active | 1972 to 2026 |
| Signature Look | Reversed wellington boots and a hat marked “L” and “R” |
| Recurring Bit | Comic “letters from my Mammy” and Irish logic |
| Wife | May Tweedie (married 1974) |
| Children | Four |
| Autobiography | Memoirs of an Irish Comedian (2023) |
| TV Series | And There’s More (1985 to 1988) |
Jimmy Cricket Career Highlights
| Area | Detail |
| Early career | Butlin’s Redcoat and Pontins holiday-camp entertainer |
| Breakthrough | Reached a grand final of LWT’s Search for a Star (1981) |
| Television | Starred in four series of And There’s More on ITV |
| Radio | Had his own series on BBC Radio 2 |
| Honours | Subject of This Is Your Life; Royal Variety performer |
| Pantomime | A regular star, including at Belfast’s Grand Opera House |
Jimmy Cricket Events
| Year | Event |
| 17 October 1945 | Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone |
| Age 16 | Left school and worked before entering entertainment |
| Early 1970s | Became a holiday-camp entertainer and settled in England |
| 1974 | Married May Tweedie |
| 1981 | Reached a grand final of Search for a Star |
| 1985 to 1988 | Starred in the ITV series And There’s More |
| 2023 | Published his autobiography |
| 3 August 2026 | Died at the age of 80 |
Jimmy Cricket Early Life
Jimmy Cricket was born James Mulgrew on 17 October 1945 in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He left school at the age of 16 and spent a couple of years working in a betting shop before finding his calling in entertainment, taking a job as a Redcoat at Butlin’s holiday camps, first at Mosney in County Meath and later at Clacton in Essex. That grounding in live holiday-camp performance would shape the warm, interactive style that defined his whole career.
Jimmy Cricket Career
Jimmy Cricket’s Rise Through the Camps
Jimmy Cricket settled in the Stockport area of England by the early 1970s and worked the holiday-camp circuit, performing at Pontins venues in Southport and Morecambe as he built his stand-up act. Over the years he toured widely, sharing bills with musical acts such as The Osmonds, Brotherhood of Man and Gerry and the Pacemakers, and with fellow comedians including Cannon and Ball, Paul Daniels and Frank Carson, honing the persona that would make him a household name.
Jimmy Cricket on Television
Jimmy Cricket’s big broadcast breakthrough came after he reached a grand final of London Weekend Television’s talent show Search for a Star in 1981. A few years later, Central Television built a show around him, And There’s More, named for his best-known catchphrase, which ran for four series on ITV between 1985 and 1988. Blending stand-up, songs and sketches, the programme carried his club act into family living rooms and, notably, featured the first television appearance by the impressionist Rory Bremner. He also enjoyed his own series on BBC Radio 2.
Jimmy Cricket’s Comic Persona
Jimmy Cricket was beloved for a distinctive and gentle comic character. He performed in wellington boots worn on the wrong feet and a hat marked with “L” and “R”, and his act featured warm running gags, most famously the comic “letters from my Mammy” and his affectionate brand of Irish logic, all delivered with an inviting, family-friendly charm. His catchphrase, “and there’s more,” became a national favourite and the hallmark of his good-natured style.
Jimmy Cricket’s Later Career
Jimmy Cricket remained a busy and popular performer for decades. He was a regular in pantomime, appearing in productions including at Belfast’s Grand Opera House, returned to Clacton-on-Sea in 2006 for a summer season, and continued touring, including a 2022 show marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. He was honoured as the subject of This Is Your Life and performed at Royal Variety events, and in 2023 he published his autobiography, Memoirs of an Irish Comedian, reflecting on 50 years in show business.
Jimmy Cricket’s Legacy
Jimmy Cricket left a legacy of warmth and gentle, inclusive humour that spanned generations. In an era of edgier comedy, his family-friendly act, built in the clubs and holiday camps and refined into a beloved television persona, endeared him to audiences across Britain and Ireland. Remembered by his family as “a force for joy,” he is survived by a body of work, from his television series and recordings to his memoir, that continues to bring laughter.
Jimmy Cricket Personal Life
Jimmy Cricket met his future wife, May Tweedie, while working at Pontins in the early 1970s, and the couple married in 1974, remaining together for more than five decades until his death. They raised four children, and his family fondly described him as their champion and a wonderfully silly grandfather. Devoted to his family and his faith, he was known off stage for the same warmth and gentleness that characterised his comedy.
Jimmy Cricket Net Worth and Earnings
A precise figure for Jimmy Cricket’s net worth is not firmly established in the public record, with estimates suggesting a modest range, and this profile does not assert a specific figure. His income came from his long career in live comedy, television and radio, and seasonal pantomime, built over more than fifty years in show business.
| Source | Detail |
| Net worth | Modest estimates; not precisely documented |
| Main income sources | Live comedy, television and radio, and pantomime |
Jimmy Cricket Social Media
Jimmy Cricket maintained a friendly public presence and, in his later years, connected with fans online, sharing memories and updates about his performances.
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
| Public presence | Through his shows and fans | His decades of live and broadcast work |
| Online | Present in later years | Occasional updates and reminiscences |
Jimmy Cricket Controversies
No significant personal controversy involving Jimmy Cricket surfaced in the material examined for this profile. He was cherished as a wholesome, family-friendly entertainer, and coverage of him has focused on his warm humour, his long career and the affection in which he was held rather than on any scandal.
Lesser Known Facts About Jimmy Cricket
- His real name was James Mulgrew, and he was born in Cookstown, County Tyrone.
- He began his entertainment career as a Redcoat at Butlin’s holiday camps.
- His breakthrough came via a grand final of the talent show Search for a Star.
- His ITV show And There’s More featured Rory Bremner’s first television appearance.
- He performed in Wellington boots worn on the wrong feet and a hat marked “L” and “R”.
- He met his wife, May, while working at Pontins.
- He published his autobiography, Memoirs of an Irish Comedian, in 2023.
Jimmy Cricket FAQ
Who was Jimmy Cricket?
He was a beloved Northern Irish comedian, real name James Mulgrew, known for his gentle family humour, his reversed wellington boots and his catchphrase “and there’s more.”
When was Jimmy Cricket born, and when did he die?
He was born on 17 October 1945 and died on 3 August 2026, at the age of 80.
How did Jimmy Cricket die?
He died following a short illness, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from his family.
What was Jimmy Cricket famous for?
He was famous for his catchphrase “and there’s more” and his ITV television series of the same name, as well as his gentle, family-friendly comedy.
What was Jimmy Cricket’s real name?
His real name was James Mulgrew.
What was Jimmy Cricket’s signature look?
He performed in Wellington boots worn on the wrong feet and a hat marked with the letters “L” and “R”.
Did Jimmy Cricket have his own TV show?
Yes, he starred in four series of the ITV show And There’s More between 1985 and 1988.
Who was Jimmy Cricket’s wife?
His wife was May Tweedie, whom he married in 1974, and the couple had four children.
Where was Jimmy Cricket from?
He was born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland.
Did Jimmy Cricket write a book?
Yes, he published his autobiography, Memoirs of an Irish Comedian, in 2023.
Sources
RTÉ, James Mulgrew, aka comedian Jimmy Cricket, dies aged 80,
https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0803/1586290-james-mulgrew-aka-comedian-jimmy-cricket-dies-aged-80/
That Eric Alper, Jimmy Cricket, Beloved Northern Irish Comedian and “And There’s More” Star, Dies at 80,
https://www.thatericalper.com/2026/08/03/jimmy-cricket-beloved-northern-irish-comedian-and-and-theres-more-star-dies-at-80/
MemoriTree, Jimmy Cricket Memorial,
https://memoritree.com/memorial/jimmy-cricket