In a message they said: “Our beloved Jimmy passed away this morning after a short illness.
"He spent his last few days surrounded by his family, love, laughter and songs.
"Jimmy brought so much laughter and happiness to countless audiences in his career over the years.
"Whether on stage, screen or radio, or if you met him in person as well.
"But that was nothing to the happiness he gave to his family.
"A devoted husband to May for fifty two years.
"A wonderful dad to his four children and very silly grandad indeed to his four grandchildren.
"He was our greatest champion and loved us all loudly.
"He also just loved people and he absolutely loved being a stand up comedian. What a life he lived.
"Forever our clown, he was cracking jokes to the wonderful NHS staff and to us all, right until the end.
"His courage, dignity and positivity through all he endured was inspirational.
"A force for joy, we are just all very sad that the world is a far less sillier place today.
"We were going to end by using his famous catchphrase and say, ‘There’s no More’.
"But Jimmy was a man of great faith and a Papal Knight of the Catholic Church.
"He believed that death is not the end and was looking forward to eternity, so really…And there’s more.
Jimmy’s family”
Born in 1945 in Co Tyrone, Jimmy started working in holiday camps from age 18-years.
The comedian worked at Pontins holiday camp in Southport and Morecombe from 1972.
Jimmy’s show And There’s More was produced by Central Television and he later had his own radio series for BBC Radio 2 called Jimmy’s Cricket Team.
Paying tribute radio star George Jones said he was “absolutely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of one of my dearest friends Jimmy Cricket”.
"Jimmy died peacefully in his sleep yesterday after battling Cancer..,” he added.
"The world of entertainment has lost a wonderful and quite unique comedian..
"He has made thousands laugh with his simple form of humour that only he could pull off..not just on stage but on national TV..
"We worked so many times over the years with him with Clubsound ,only recently for a couple of years on "The Comedians" at the Opera house Belfast..
"He was without question a "One Off"...there won't be another!..He will be sadly missed by his thousands of fans!..
"My love and prayers got to May, Dale and the family.”
1.
Jimmy Cricket pictured backstage in his dressing room at The Burnavon with his wife May and Tony Quinn Chairman of Cookstown District Council. Photo: ugc
