Fans and fellow entertainers gathered in Greater Manchester to bid farewell to the Northern Irish comic known for his bowler hat, wellington boots and catchphrase "and there's more."
Comedian Jimmy Cricket, born James Mulgrew, was laid to rest on Friday, 21 August 2026, following a requiem Mass at Salford Cathedral in Greater Manchester. The 80-year-old entertainer, who died on 3 August after a short illness, was honoured by hundreds of mourners, including family, fans and veteran figures from British comedy, many of whom wore bow ties and elements of his stage costume in a nod to his decades-long career on television and stage.
The service was led by his son, Fr. Frankiel Mulgrew, a Catholic priest who had previously worked as his father's road manager before entering the priesthood. According to the Independent, Fr. Frankiel opened the Mass with a joke referencing his father's comedic legacy, reportedly saying it was "not the first time I've seen him die," a reference to how often Jimmy Cricket's stage act involved mock death scenes. The moment set a tone that blended solemnity with the humour for which the comedian was known.
A Costume Tribute Fills Salford Cathedral
At the family's suggestion, mourners were invited to wear bow ties in tribute to one of Jimmy Cricket's most recognisable stage props. Many attendees went further, arriving in elements of his full costume, echoing the bowler hat, tailcoat and wellington boots that defined his act for decades. His daughter, Katie Mulgrew, herself a comedian and writer, explained that the idea began as a joke before becoming a serious family suggestion, according to the Times of India. She noted that their mother, May, wore part of Jimmy's stage costume during the service.
Near the cathedral entrance, organisers displayed his battered bowler hat and his trademark wellington boots, marked with "L" and "R" and famously worn on the wrong feet, alongside a book of condolence for mourners to sign. The visual tribute transformed the solemn setting into what several outlets described as a celebration of his comedic identity as much as a funeral.
Requiem Mass And Musical Tribute
As a practising Roman Catholic, Jimmy Cricket's funeral followed traditional Catholic liturgy, culminating in a requiem Mass at Salford Cathedral. The ceremony, described by the Manchester Evening News as lasting roughly two hours, concluded with clergy leading his coffin from the cathedral as attendees broke into applause, reflecting the celebratory undertone that ran through the service.
Irish singer Dana, the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest winner, performed the hymn "Lady of Knock" during the offertory, adding a distinctly Irish Catholic dimension to the ceremony that mirrored Jimmy Cricket's own roots in Cookstown, County Tyrone. Ahead of the funeral, his body had lain in state at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Rochdale on Thursday, 20 August, allowing members of the public to pay their respects, followed by a vigil Mass that evening before the coffin was received at Salford Cathedral.
Comedy Veterans Gather To Say Farewell
The funeral drew what several outlets called a "who's who" of British and Irish comedy from the 1970s and 1980s. Among those in attendance were Roy Walker, former host of "Catchphrase"; Syd Little, one half of the duo Little and Large, who attended with his wife Sheree; Tommy Cannon of Cannon and Ball; Stu Francis, a presenter on "Crackerjack!"; veteran comedian Freddie "Parrot Face" Davies; John Linehan, known for his drag character May McFettridge; and actor John Henshaw, recognised for his role in "Early Doors."
Their presence underscored Jimmy Cricket's standing within a generation of British variety entertainers who rose to prominence through shows such as "Crackerjack!" and "The Good Old Days." Regional coverage described the turnout as running into the hundreds, while some broader reports suggested the wider crowd, including those following the procession, may have reached into the thousands.
A Life Remembered Through Faith And Comedy
Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Jimmy Cricket became a fixture of British television in the 1970s and 1980s, known for his gentle, family-friendly comedy and instantly recognisable costume. His catchphrase, "and there's more," became closely associated with his on-screen persona, while his bowler hat and mismatched wellington boots made him one of the more visually distinctive comedians of his era.
His Catholic faith remained central to his life beyond the stage, including long-standing support for charities such as Francis House Children's Hospice, which issued a tribute following his death. That same faith shaped his family life, most notably through his son's decision to leave entertainment work and become a priest within the Diocese of Salford. Friends and colleagues, including Roy Walker, remembered him as a kind and gentle figure whose humour extended far beyond the stage, a sentiment echoed throughout the funeral service at Salford Cathedral.
