James Mulgrew more commonly known as ‘Jimmy Cricket’ has been named as a new ambassador for the Blackburn Empire after supporting the venue for many years.

During a question and answer session with the audience at the theatre, the Irish comedian was asked to become the theatre’s honorary patron.

A delighted Jimmy accepted immediately saying that it was a “great honour”. “I am proud to have been asked and of course I accept,” he said.

“This is such a great little theatre which means so much to the community. It has got a great reputation among the artists who have performed here because everyone is so friendly.

“I always enjoy coming here and it is a great honour to be asked to be a patron.”

Jimmy Cricket won LWT’s talent contest, Search For A Star, and was later given my own series on Central Television in the mid-1980s called “And There’s More” (which included the first TV appearance by the impressionist Rory Bremner).

Mr Cricket also had his own programme on BBC Radio 2, featured in The Krankies Klub alongside The Krankies (who else) and Bobby Davro and appeared on the Royal Variety Show (1984). He later appeared in the 2007 Comic Relief video of The Proclaimers’ song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” which featured Matt Lucas and Peter Kay.