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Fans and stars gather for Jimmy Cricket's funeral

Phil Cunliffe,at Salford Cathedraland
Paul Burnell,North West
News imageBBC A man with grey hair makes a hand salute to his head outside a cathedralBBC
Freddie Davis, of Opportunity Knocks fame, was among the mourners

Family, friends, fellow performers and fans of veteran comic Jimmy Cricket have gathered for his funeral.

The Northern Ireland-born comedian, real name James Joseph Mulgrew, died on 3 August aged 80.

Many mourners at Salford Cathedral responded to his family's request to wear bow ties in a nod to one of his props, while his trademark stage wellies and bowler hat were placed at the cathedral entrance next to a book of condolence.

The requiem Mass was led by his son Fr Frankiel Mulgrew, who is based at the cathedral.

News imagePA Service sheet of Jimmy CricketPA
Jimmy Cricket died earlier this month, aged 80
News imageA man dressed in a hat and fingerless glove and bow tie shows the thumbs up sign
Mourners, including family friend Leon Woods, dressed as the comedian, in tribute to his life

The comedian, who was born in Cookstown, County Tyrone but later moved to Greater Manchester, became a household name in the 1970s.

Among the veteran comedians attending his funeral were Catchphrase host Roy Walker, Crackerjack presenter Stu Francis, Freddie "Parrot face" Davies and Syd Little, half of comedy act Little and Large.

News imageA woman with dark hair and a woman with red hair - both wear red bow ties and carnations and red lipstick
Two of Jimmy Cricket's daughters, Jamie, 46 and Katie, 41
News imageA man with grey hair and dark rimmed glasses links arms with a blonde woman in a black dress
Syd Little, half of Little and Large attended the service

His son Fr Mulgrew made mourners laugh at the start of the funeral: "For 10 years I was dad's road manager so I have seen him die before and rise again."

He added: "When I entered seminary he said he was willing to sacrifice having grandchildren so it's worked pretty well for him as he got a Papal Knightood and a cheap funeral."

News imagePA Media A man with white hair wears a navy suit and black tiePA Media
Roy Walker, the original host of the game show Catchphrase
News imagePaul Burnell/BBC Stage welies and bowler hat by book of condolencePaul Burnell/BBC
The star's stage props were displayed at the cathedral
News imageA man with grey hair wears a red bow tie and black suit
John Linehan, a fellow Northern Irish comedian, who performed with Jimmy Cricket in pantomime in Belfast

The father-of-four left school at 16 and spent his summers working as Redcoat camp host at Butlins holiday camps.

He went on to work the comedy club scene throughout the 1970s and 1980s, going on to win LWT's Search for a Star talent contest before getting his own ITV show, And There's More, which ran for four seasons.

However his son Fr Mulgrew told BBC Radio Manchester his father was joking to the end of his life, even singing a Monty Python song.

News imageSalford Cathedral People at Salford Cathedral sit on pews as a coffin is at the frontSalford Cathedral
The comedian was awarded a Papal Knightood in 2016

"He was in hospital and called us close to him and we wondered what he would say and he started singing Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life,'" the priest said.

Fr Mulgrew added the funeral would be followed by an "open mic" wake, where people could sing and tell jokes.

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