A final farewell filled with love, laughter and poignant memories was held for legendary comedian Jimmy Cricket, as his family, friends and some of Britain’s best-known entertainers gathered to celebrate a man who spent decades making audiences smile.

The Northern Irish comedian, who died earlier this month aged 80 following a short illness, was remembered at Salford Cathedral on Friday, with one particularly moving detail making the service deeply personal: Jimmy’s own son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, led the requiem Mass for his father.

For a family grieving the loss of a beloved husband, father and grandfather, it was an emotional moment that reflected the faith and family values that remained central to Jimmy throughout his life.

His daughter Katie Mulgrew summed up the family’s feelings in a simple but powerful tribute.

“We are heartbroken but he was pure joy and we just wanted to tip our bow ties to him,” she told the BBC.

Famous faces gather to remember Jimmy

The cathedral welcomed a host of familiar names from the entertainment world, many of whom had shared stages, television studios and decades of friendship with Jimmy.

Former Catchphrase presenter Roy Walker was among the mourners, while Tommy Cannon, famous as one half of comedy duo Cannon and Ball, also attended.

Syd Little, who became a household name alongside Eddie Large in Little and Large, arrived with his wife Sheree.

Other entertainers paying their respects included Crackerjack star Stu Francis, Early Doors actor John Henshaw, comedian Freddie “Parrot Face” Davies, performer John Linehan, comedian Katie Mulgrew, and entertainers Brian and Maxine Warner.

It was a fitting gathering for a performer whose career stretched across generations of British entertainment.

But behind the famous faces and celebrated career was a family saying goodbye to the man they knew away from the spotlight.

A deeply personal farewell

Jimmy’s family had asked mourners to wear bow ties, a touching tribute to one of the comedian’s most recognisable stage props.

The order of service featured a smiling photograph of Jimmy — an image that captured the warmth and cheerful personality audiences had come to know during his long career.

When his death was announced on August 3, his family revealed that Jimmy had spent his final days surrounded by those closest to him.

“Our beloved Jimmy has passed away this morning after a short illness,” the family said. “He spent his last few days surrounded by his family, love, laughter and songs.”

They also revealed that his famous sense of humour remained with him until the end.

“Forever our clown, he was cracking jokes to the wonderful NHS staff and to us all, right until the end.”

For millions of viewers, Jimmy was the comedian with the unmistakable Wellington boots and memorable catchphrases. To his family, however, his greatest role was far removed from television.

He was a husband, father and grandfather whose ability to bring happiness into their lives meant more than any stage or television success.

More than five decades of marriage and family life

Jimmy shared 52 years of marriage with his wife May, and together they built a family that remained at the heart of his life.

He leaves behind his wife, four children and four grandchildren.

That close family bond made Friday’s service especially poignant, with his son taking such a central role in the Mass while his daughter publicly spoke of their heartbreak.

It was not simply a farewell to one of Britain and Ireland’s most recognisable comedians. It was a family honouring the man behind the laughter.

From Butlin’s Redcoat to beloved comedy star

Born James Joseph Mulgrew in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Jimmy began his entertainment career as a Butlin’s Redcoat before establishing himself as a popular comedian.

His career took off during the 1970s, and his distinctive appearance and gentle humour quickly made him instantly recognisable.

Jimmy became famous for his trademark Wellington boots — often worn on the wrong feet — and catchphrases including “Come closer!” and “And there’s more!”

He later fronted the television series And There’s More and presented the BBC Radio 2 programme Jimmy’s Cricket Team.

His television appearances also included favourites such as Bullseye and This Is Your Life, helping cement his place in British entertainment history.

Rather than relying on shock or controversy, Jimmy built his reputation on warm, accessible comedy that could be enjoyed by audiences of different generations.

Faith remained important until the end

Alongside comedy and family, Jimmy’s Catholic faith was an important part of his life.

In 2015, he received a papal knighthood from Pope Francis, an honour that Jimmy said had arrived unexpectedly and left him feeling deeply humbled.

That faith became particularly significant during his family’s farewell.

His loved ones explained after his death that Jimmy did not see dying as simply an ending. Instead, they chose to close their announcement with the words audiences had heard him deliver countless times throughout his career:

“And there’s more.”

It was perhaps the most fitting goodbye possible.

For decades, those words promised audiences another joke and another reason to smile. Now, they carry a more emotional meaning for the family and fans mourning him.

Jimmy Cricket may have taken his final bow, but the laughter, memories and joy he left behind ensure his story will continue long after the curtain has fallen.