The comedian died on Monday at the age of 80 following a short illness.

Tributes continue to be paid to the comedian Jimmy Cricket who died on Monday at the age of 80 following a short illness. Known for his trademark wellington boots, battered bowler hat and memorable catchphrases, he has been hailed as "inspirational" by some of those who knew him best. Cricket's son, Father Frankie Mulgrew, said the late comedian "saw the joy in everything, right up until his death". "On Sunday he wanted the last rites twice, because like a good comedian he wanted an encore". Fr Mulgrew, who is a Catholic priest at Salford Cathedral, said his father's faith was "really important to him and in the end he was really looking forward to going home, to going in to eternity". His purpose was to simply "inject as much joy and silliness into the world as he could and he was doing it right until the end," he added. He left school at 16 and started the summer season of 1966 as a Redcoat for Butlins. He worked the comedy club scene in the 1970s and 1980s, going on to win LWT's Search for a Star talent contest.