A beloved figure in British variety entertainment has passed away. James Joseph Mulgrew, known to audiences across the United Kingdom as Jimmy Cricket, died on Aug. 3, 2026, at age 80 after a brief illness, his family announced via social media.
The Northern Irish performer rose to national prominence during the 1980s through clean comedy, distinctive stage attire, and a pair of signature catchphrases that became fixtures of British popular culture. His death occurred in the morning hours with close family members present.
Cricket’s family released a statement calling him their household’s “greatest champion” and noting his profound love for people. Rather than closing with his famous line “there’s no more,” they wrote “And there’s more,” citing his strong Catholic faith as pointing toward something beyond this life.
Born in 1945 in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Cricket leaves behind his wife May, his partner of 52 years, along with four children and four grandchildren.
A Distinctive Look That Never Changed
The comedian became instantly recognizable through his theatrical costume: shortened trousers paired with an evening tailcoat and hat, topped off with wellington boots marked “R” and “L” deliberately worn on the incorrect feet. This visual comedy became inseparable from his wholesome humor and gentle mockery of his Irish heritage.
His breakthrough arrived in 1980 when he won “Search for a Star,” a London Weekend Television talent competition. The victory led to appearances on BBC’s children’s program “Crackerjack!” and the musical comedy series “The Good Old Days.” Multiple Royal Variety performances followed, and in 1987 he became the focus of a “This Is Your Life” episode.
The ITV sketch series “And There’s More” debuted in 1985 and ran through 1988 across four seasons. The program established his catchphrases “Ladies and gentlemen, come here” and the show’s title line as permanent fixtures in British comedy. He also hosted BBC Radio 2’s “Jimmy’s Cricket Team,” penned by Eddie Braben and featuring Peter Goodwright, Bill Pertwee, and Noreen Kershaw.
Holiday Camps to National Television
Cricket’s path to entertainment began unconventionally. He left school at 16 and spent two years employed in a betting shop. At 21, he became a Redcoat entertainer at Butlins in Mosney, Ireland. He later transferred to Butlins in Clacton, England, then to Pontins locations in Southport and Morecambe, developing his performance skills before holiday audiences.
During a March 2024 radio conversation, he described how his family moved to Belfast when he was two and how attending variety shows from inexpensive theater seats sparked his 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.
Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, he built his reputation on the comedy club circuit before television opportunities emerged.
Industry Colleagues Remember a Comedy Legend
Northern Irish comedian John Linehan, famous for his May McFettridge pantomime character, said that Cricket was “so funny” and “just a star,” highlighting his humility and universal appeal.
Comedian Tim Vine shared memories on social media of visiting Cricket’s residence, where the veteran performer spontaneously performed a fresh song while dancing through the room. Vine expressed hope he would maintain similar energy in his later years. Actor and comedian Ted Robbins characterized Cricket as “one of the last great comics with a unique style who was never blue, just funny,” predicting angels would greet him using his own catchphrase.
The Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool, where Cricket performed as resident comedian for over a decade, honored him as a “true Lyndene legend” whose loss would deeply affect both guests and employees.
Father Frankie Mulgrew—Cricket’s son, a former comedian turned priest—disclosed that his father received the last rites twice during his final hours, “almost like he asked for an encore.” His final television work was the 2025 holiday program “New Year’s Eve with Mike, Noel and Friends.”
On his website, Cricket had informed fans he was temporarily stepping back from performances due to health concerns but planned to resume with scheduled autumn 2026 appearances. Those dates will now remain unfulfilled.