Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket has died aged 80, it was announced on Monday. His family said he passed away that morning after a short illness, surrounded by relatives, love, laughter and songs.
The funnyman, who found fame in the 1970s, had been due to return to the stage for a tour this autumn. A note shared on his website earlier this year said he was taking "a little sabbatical for health reasons" and had started treatment.
Jimmy was renowned for his catchphrases "And there's more!" and "Come closer!", and for famously wearing Wellington boots marked with L and R on the wrong feet.
In a statement, his family said: "Our beloved Jimmy has 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. Whether on stage, screen or radio, or if you met him in person as well. But that was nothing to the happiness he gave to his family," the statement continued. "A devoted husband to May for fifty two years. A wonderful dad to his four children and very silly grandad indeed to his four grandchildren."
Family pays tribute
"He was our greatest champion and loved us all loudly. He also just loved people and he absolutely loved being a stand up comedian. What a life he lived," the family said. "Forever our clown, he was cracking jokes to the wonderful NHS staff and to us all, right until the end."
"His courage, dignity and positivity through all he endured was inspirational. A force for joy, we are just all very sad that the world is a far less sillier place today," they added.
The family said they had considered ending the statement with his famous catchphrase by saying "There's no more", but noted that Jimmy was a man of great faith and a Papal Knight of the Catholic Church who believed death was not the end and was looking forward to eternity. "So really," they wrote, "and there's more."
Tributes from fellow entertainers
Jimmy's friend and fellow comedian Freddie "Parrot Face" Davies also paid tribute. "Jimmy Cricket (James Mulgrew) was a dear friend and we were in contact many times over the years. Jimmy started like me, as a Butlin Redcoat," Davies said.
"Our paths crossed many many times over the years. In 2023 I asked him to join us for the show 'Legends of Variety', but he was too busy doing his own show," he added. Davies recalled directing a production of Snow White at the Charter Theatre in Preston at Christmas 2014, in which Jimmy was the star.
"He was a delight to work with and his gentle comedy was a relaxing change. One always felt comfortable in his company. His adoring wife May was always at his side and he lovingly referred to her as Mrs. Cricket," Davies said.
He recalled last seeing Jimmy at a Ken Dodd memorial lunch in Liverpool the previous December, where he had a packed audience in hysterics. "He was a true funny bones comic, a throwback to Variety days. I will miss you Jim, god bless you and RIP," Davies said.
Tributes online
Tributes also appeared on X, with one user sharing an image of Jimmy on the front of TV Times from 1985, writing: "Just heard that Jimmy Cricket died this morning after complications with cancer surgery."
Early life and career
Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Jimmy's real name was James Joseph Mulgrew. He began his career as a Butlin's Redcoat entertainer before becoming a household name in the 1970s.
He toured the UK alongside artists including The Osmonds and Brotherhood of Man, as well as fellow comedians Paul Daniels and The Krankies. His show, And There's More, was produced by Central Television, and he later hosted his own BBC Radio 2 series called Jimmy's Cricket Team.
His other television appearances included the game show Bullseye in 1984, being profiled on This Is Your Life, and performing in the Comic Relief cover of I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).
Papal honour in 2015
In 2015, Jimmy was awarded the Roman Catholic Church's highest honour by Pope Francis, becoming a Papal Knight. He later said the recognition came "right out of the blue."
"The parish priest arrived and took out this certificate - it was a papal knighthood and it was in Latin. I thought: 'He's got the wrong fella here, is he sure it's not the neighbour?'" Jimmy recalled. He said he felt "humbled and honoured" by the honour.
"I do what I love. If I can raise money by entertaining people, sure it's not hard work. To get an honour for doing something that you love is quite a blessing," he said.
Sabbatical for treatment
Earlier this year, Jimmy told fans on his website that he was taking a break to undergo treatment. "Hi there my friends. I have to take a little sabbatical for health reasons and have started treatment, so I hope to catch up with you all via live performances in the Autumn of 2026," he wrote.
