A Northern Irish entertainer recognized across Britain for his family-friendly stage act and signature mismatched wellington boots has passed away following a brief illness, his family announced Aug. 3, 2026. Jimmy Cricket, whose birth name was James Joseph Mulgrew, arrived in 1945 in Cookstown, County Tyrone, and was 80 years old when he died that morning with loved ones at his side.
Cricket leaves behind his wife May, his partner of 52 years, along with four children and four grandchildren. The family’s statement described the comedian as their “greatest champion” who cherished people above everything. Rather than using his famous catchphrase “there’s no more” to mark his passing, they invoked his devout Catholic beliefs and concluded instead with his other signature line: “And there’s more.”
A Path Through Holiday Camps
Cricket’s rise in show business followed an unconventional route. He left school at 16 and spent two years employed at a betting shop before discovering his true vocation. At age 21, he secured a position as a Redcoat at the Butlins holiday camp in Mosney, an entertainment and hosting job that launched his performing career. He later worked at the Clacton Butlins location in England, followed by stints at Pontins camps in Southport and Morecambe, where he refined his act before vacation audiences night after night.
During a radio interview, Cricket recalled how his family had moved to Belfast when he was two, and how cheap seats at local theaters sparked his lifelong passion. “You could pay a shilling and sit in the gallery and look down on these amazing performers and that’s where I caught the bug,” he said.
Television Stardom and Signature Phrases
After spending the 1970s and early 1980s performing on the comedy club circuit, Cricket’s breakthrough came when he won London Weekend Television’s talent competition “Search for a Star” in 1980. The victory led to guest spots on BBC children’s variety show “Crackerjack!” and period musical comedy “The Good Old Days.” He also performed in several Royal Variety performances and became the subject of a 1987 episode of “This Is Your Life.”
His own ITV sketch comedy series, “And There’s More,” launched in 1985 and ran for four seasons until 1988. The program cemented his two most recognizable catchphrases in British comedy culture: “Ladies and gentlemen, come here” and the show’s title itself. Cricket also hosted the BBC Radio 2 comedy series “Jimmy’s Cricket Team,” with scripts from comedian Eddie Braben and a cast including performers Peter Goodwright, Bill Pertwee, and Noreen Kershaw.
His theatrical costume became as iconic as his verbal humor: abbreviated trousers, an evening tailcoat and hat, and wellington boots marked with “R” and “L” on the toes—intentionally worn on the wrong feet. That visual joke, combined with his gentle approach to Irish humor, made him immediately identifiable to television viewers.
Comedy Peers Remember a Beloved Performer
Northern Irish comedian John Linehan, best known for portraying pantomime dame character May McFettridge, told BBC News NI that Cricket was “so funny” and “just a star,” highlighting his humility and widespread appeal.
Comedian Tim Vine shared a memory on social media of visiting Cricket’s home, where the veteran performer spontaneously sang him a new song while dancing through the room. Vine expressed hope he would carry that same energy into his own later years. Actor and comedian Ted Robbins called Cricket “one of the last great comics with a unique style who was never blue, just funny,” adding that he imagined angels welcoming Cricket with his own catchphrase.
The Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool, where Cricket worked as a resident comedian for more than 10 years, mourned him as a “true Lyndene legend” whose loss would be deeply felt by both guests and staff.
Cricket’s son Father Frankie Mulgrew—once a comedian himself before entering the priesthood—disclosed that his father requested the last rites twice during his final hours, “almost like he asked for an encore.” Cricket’s final television appearance came in the 2025 holiday special “New Year’s Eve with Mike, Noel and Friends.”
The comedian had informed fans via his website that he was temporarily stepping away from performing due to health concerns, though he planned to resume with scheduled autumn 2026 shows. Those future appearances will not happen, but his legacy endures through decades of wholesome entertainment and a visual trademark that made audiences smile on sight.