British Comedy Icon Remembered
Beloved Northern Irish Comedian Jimmy Cricket Dies at 80, Sparking Industry Tributes
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Key Points
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Cricket’s big break came after reaching the semi-finals of LWT's Search for a Star in 1980, which opened doors to his own television show and BBC Radio 2 work, following his beginnings as a Butlins Redcoat in the 1960s.
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In 1987, he was the featured celebrity on This Is Your Life, marking a peak in mainstream recognition before moving more into radio in the following decade.
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He fronted four TV shows on And There’s More, running from 1985 to 1988, a span that underscored his sustained presence on British light entertainment.
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Cricket was also a Papal Knight of the Catholic Church, a detail highlighted in memorial coverage reflecting his personal faith and standing within the community.
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His signature stage look—tailcoat, short trousers and wellington boots marked 'L' and 'R' on the wrong feet—became an enduring visual identifier throughout his career.
Jimmy Cricket, the Northern Irish comedian beloved for his clean, family-friendly humor and the catchphrase "And there's more!", has died at the age of 80 after a short illness, according to The Guardian. Born James Mulgrew in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, he spent his final days surrounded by family — and, true to form, still telling jokes to NHS staff.
His family said he was "a devoted husband, a wonderful father and a silly grandfather" who "loved people and lived to make others laugh," The Guardian reported. He had planned to tour in autumn 2026, but health reasons forced those plans to pause.
From Butlins Redcoat to 1980s TV Star
Cricket's road to fame began in the 1960s as a Butlins Redcoat, entertaining holiday camp crowds across Britain. His big break came in 1980 when he reached the semi-finals of LWT's Search for a Star, according to International Business Times. That appearance opened doors to BBC Radio 2 work and, soon after, his own ITV series.
He fronted four series of And There's More on ITV between 1985 and 1988. He also appeared on Royal Variety performances and The Good Old Days. In 1987, he was the subject of This Is Your Life — a marker of true mainstream fame in British entertainment.
The Signature Look That Made Him Unmistakable
Cricket's stage costume was impossible to miss. He wore a tailcoat, short trousers, and wellington boots — with "L" and "R" marked on the wrong feet. The look was silly by design and it worked. Audiences loved it. It became one of the most recognisable images in British light entertainment, according to Newsy Today.
His humor was deliberately clean. No blue jokes, no shock tactics — just warm, gentle comedy for all ages. Fellow comedian Ted Robbins celebrated him as "one of the last great comics" with a "unique, non-blue style," according to Yahoo News.
A Faith-Driven Life Beyond the Spotlight
Cricket was a Papal Knight of the Catholic Church, a distinction noted in tributes following his death, according to International Business Times. His faith was a central part of his identity, not just a footnote. It shaped how he carried himself — with what his family called "courage, dignity and positivity" throughout his final illness.
He was married to his wife May for 52 years and is survived by four children and four grandchildren. His later career included radio work, fronting shows like Jimmy's Cricket Team on BBC Radio 2, keeping him connected to audiences long after his TV peak.
Tributes Pour In for a Genuinely Beloved Entertainer
News of Cricket's death sparked an outpouring of tributes across British television and radio. Colleagues remembered him as warm, generous and genuinely funny — a rare combination. Ted Robbins called his style "enduring," according to Yahoo News. For many fans, he was a fixture of childhood Saturday night TV.
His family's statement captured it simply: he "continued to bring joy up until the end." That, more than any award or catchphrase, may be his real legacy. Jimmy Cricket was 80 years old.
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