Jimmy Cricket, the Northern Irish comedian whose cherubic smile and rapid-fire jokes made him a household name in the 1980s, has died at the age of 80. His family confirmed his death on 3 August 2026, just months after he had been fully booked with performances into 2026 and planning a Christmas joke book.
A career defined by laughter
Cricket, born James Joseph Mulgrew in Cookstown, County Tyrone, was known for his trademark catchphrase “And there’s more!” and an unmistakable stage outfit: a floppy bowler hat, tattered evening dress, fingerless gloves, and wellington boots with the letters R and L deliberately on the wrong feet. His act combined silly wordplay, juggling, prop gags, and physical comedy, delivered with an innocent, open-eyed wonder that disarmed audiences.
He rose to prominence in 1980 as runner-up in LWT’s Search for a Star, and quickly became a television regular. He performed at the Royal Variety Performance in 1984 and seven times at the Children’s Royal Variety Performance between 1983 and 1993. He headlined his own ITV show, And There’s More (1985-88), which ran for four series, and later had a BBC Radio 2 series, Jimmy’s Cricket Team, in the 1990s.
Early life and influences
Cricket was the youngest of six children of Philomena (née Conlon) and Frank Mulgrew, an undertaker, publican, taxi driver, and part-time auctioneer. After Frank’s death in 1953, Philomena worked multiple jobs, including at a local Lucozade factory, to support the family. Jimmy left St Patrick’s College in Belfast at 15 with no qualifications but a knack for making people laugh.
He took on odd jobs—supermarket delivery boy, labourer, betting shop cashier—while entering talent shows. In 1966, he became a redcoat at Butlin’s holiday camp in Mosney, County Meath, where he honed his craft. He spent the next decade at Butlin’s and Pontin’s, perfecting his persona and adopting a stage name inspired by the Disney character Jiminy Cricket.
TV breakthrough and lasting appeal
His TV breakthrough came in 1980, and he went on to appear in shows like Crackerjack! (1982), Blankety Blank (1985), and The Generation Game (1996). He even bought the skew-whiff Edwardian music hall costume he wore on The Good Old Days (1981), which became his signature look.
In the 21st century, as TV producers deemed his style outdated, Cricket continued to work live, performing in pantomimes and at venues ranging from working men’s clubs to cruise ships. He was embraced by younger comedians, appearing on Peter Kay’s Comic Relief video (2007), John Bishop’s Only Joking (2013), and Richard Herring’s podcast (2019).
Legacy and charity work
Cricket was awarded a papal knighthood by Pope Francis in 2015 for his charity work, including fundraising for Francis House children’s hospice in Manchester and support for Mary’s Meals. His 2023 autobiography, Come ’ere There’s More, also contributed to the latter cause.
He is survived by his wife May, whom he married in 1974, their children Dale, Frankie, Jamie, and Katie—who is also a comedian—and four grandchildren. His manager, in a statement, said: “Jimmy brought joy to millions and will be deeply missed.”
