THE death after a short illness of comedian Jimmy Cricket brings back memories of the time he stole my wife…
Jimmy, who was 80, was born in Northern Ireland, and was no stranger to Darlington Civic Theatre.
He starred, as Buttons, in Cinderella in 1989, returned in 2011 to play Baron Hardup, then performed a stand-up show, alongside Mick Miller, in 2012.
My wife was working at the theatre during Jimmy’s second visit and she was giving him a lift in her car one day when I called to say hello, not knowing she was behind the wheel.
Quick as a flash, Jimmy answered the phone and all I heard in his Northern Irish accent were the words: “Listen, I’ve got your wife and we’re on the way to the airport. She’s a lovely woman and we’re going to run away together!”
He then burst into a chuckle, introduced himself, and we had a chat. He was such a lovely, friendly, naturally engaging man.
During a flick back through the archives, I found this 2012 picture of Jimmy with Darlington’s much-missed green grocer Robin Blair.
Jimmy had taken a walk round the town centre and wanted to thank Robin, who had kindly donated some plants to brighten up the theatre.
Robin, of course, also passed away recently and it’s his funeral tomorrow morning.
It made me smile to see two lovely characters together. RIP.
https://www.jimmycricket.co.uk/news/tag/darlington-civic-theatre/