Jimmy Cricket Dies at 80: Remembering the Comedian Behind 'And There's More!'

Beloved Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket, one of the most recognizable faces in British family entertainment, has passed away at the age of 80. Famous for his signature catchphrase “And there’s more!”, his tailcoat ensemble, and his trademark boots, Cricket entertained audiences for over five decades with his warm, family-friendly stand-up comedy.

1. Announcement & Cause of Death

The Announcement: The news was officially announced by his family on his social media pages on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Age at Death: 80 years old (born October 17, 1945).
Cause of Death: His family confirmed he passed away following a short illness.
Family Statement:

“Our beloved Jimmy passed away this morning after a short illness. He spent his last few days surrounded by his family, love, laughter and songs. Jimmy brought so much laughter and happiness to countless audiences in his career over the years… Forever our clown, he was cracking jokes to the wonderful NHS staff and to us all right until the end. A force for joy, we are just all very sad that the world is a far less sillier place today.”

2. Who Was Jimmy Cricket?

Real Name: James Joseph Mulgrew.
Northern Irish Roots: Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, and raised in Belfast, he left school at 16.
From Holiday Camps to National TV: He began his entertainment journey in the 1960s as a Butlin’s Redcoat and a Pontins entertainer before refining his act on the Northern England club circuit. His breakthrough came in 1980 when he reached the semi-finals of London Weekend Television’s talent show Search for a Star.
Signature Catchphrase: He captured national affection with his rapid-fire delivery and famous catchphrase, “And there’s more!”—a line he used to transition seamlessly between clean jokes and silly prop gags.

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3. Career Highlights

Platform	Key Projects & Milestones
Television	Fronted his own ITV series And There’s More. Appeared regularly on The Krankies Klub, The Good Old Days, and was featured on This Is Your Life (1987).
Radio	Created and starred in four series of the popular BBC Radio 2 show Jimmy’s Cricket Team during the 1990s.
Stage & Live Shows	Performed at the 1984 Royal Variety Performance and spent decades touring alongside fellow comedy legends such as Cannon & Ball, Frank Carson, and Paul Daniels.
Pantomime & Variety	Maintained a long tradition of starring in family pantomimes and seaside summer specials across the UK.

4. Unique Comedy Style

100% Clean Humor: In an era when stand-up comedy was shifting toward sharper, adult-oriented humor, Jimmy Cricket remained fiercely dedicated to G-rated, wholesome family entertainment.
Distinctive Visual Outfit:
- A classic cutaway tailcoat paired with cut-off trousers.
- A funny hat and a letter from his “Mammy” in his pocket.
- Wellington boots clearly marked with “L” and “R”—worn intentionally on the wrong feet.
Visual Gags & Prop Comedy: His act relied heavily on physical comedy, gentle self-deprecation, and absurd visual props, making his routines accessible across age groups.

5. Charity & Public Service

Charitable Endeavors: Throughout his life, he frequently organized fundraising tours for local charities, including long-term support for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.
Comic Relief Feature: Appeared in the iconic 2007 Comic Relief video for I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) alongside Peter Kay and Matt Lucas.
Papal Knighthood (2015): Awarded a Papal Knighthood (Order of St. Gregory the Great) by Pope Francis in recognition of his extensive charitable work and lifetime of service.

  +----------------------------------------------------------------------+
  |                   JIMMY CRICKET LIFE & CAREER TIMELINE              |
  +----------------------------------------------------------------------+
  | • 1945 : Born James Joseph Mulgrew in Cookstown, Northern Ireland     |
  | • 1966 : Begins entertainment career as a Butlin's Redcoat          |
  | • 1972 : Marries May Tweedie (married 52 years)                      |
  | • 1980 : Breakthrough on LWT's "Search for a Star"                    |
  | • 1984 : Performs at the Royal Variety Performance                  |
  | • 1985 : Fronts hit ITV comedy show "And There's More!"              |
  | • 2015 : Awarded Papal Knighthood for charitable services           |
  | • 2026 : Passes away peacefully at age 80 surrounded by family      |
  +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

6. Tributes from Family & Entertainment Industry

Family Tribute: His wife of 52 years, May, along with their four children and four grandchildren, remembered him as a “devoted husband,” a “wonderful dad,” and a “very silly grandad indeed.”
Comedic Colleagues: Tributes poured in from across the British comedy and broadcasting landscape, praising Cricket as one of the kindest and most generous performers in the business, whose dedication to clean comedy influenced generations of variety entertainers.

7. Legacy

Jimmy Cricket leaves behind a lasting legacy as a master of classic British variety theater. His commitment to innocent, family-friendly humor proved that comedy didn’t need crude themes to bring joy to millions. From holiday camps to prime-time television, his warm stage persona and iconic catchphrase guarantee him a permanent place in the history of light entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Jimmy Cricket?

Jimmy Cricket was an iconic Northern Irish comedian and variety performer famous for his family-friendly stand-up routines, catchphrase “And there’s more!”, and signature stage costume.