Comedian Jimmy Cricket asked for the last rites twice, “almost like he asked for an encore”, before his death at the age of 80, his son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, has said.
The Northern Irish stand-up comedian died on Monday morning following a short illness, a statement from his family said.
His youngest son, a former comedian who became a priest, Fr Mulgrew described his father as being “like a light” and said he loved making people laugh.
In a post on X, the comedian Ted Robbins also paid tribute, referencing Cricket’s catchphrase, “there’s more”.
RM Block
“I worked with him many times & he was one of the last great comics a unique style, never blue just funny,” he said.
“I know he and all his family have a great Christian faith so maybe The Angels will be saying ‘Come here Jimmy -there’s more’.”
In a statement on social media, Cricket’s family said: “Our beloved Jimmy has 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.”
Cricket was married to his wife May for 52 years and they had four children together. He was described as being a “very silly grandad” to four grandchildren.
The statement praised Cricket for being the family’s “greatest champion”, saying that he “loved us all loudly”.
“He also just loved people and he absolutely loved being a stand-up comedian. What a life he lived,” he said.
“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.”
The Cookstown-born comic previously posted on his website that he was taking a “little sabbatical for health reasons” and had started treatment.
It said, however, that he would “catch up” with fans at string of shows in autumn 2026. – Press Association
