IN the 1980's variety was king of Saturday night prime time, and Jimmy Cricket, with his right and left boots and his letters from his mammy, was clown prince of the court.

But the bright stage lights began to fade, variety limped into the 90s and disappeared from our TV sets. But variety did not die.

It lives on in theatres, halls, holiday camps and on cruiseliners, kept alive by its devoted practitioners.

A few years ago in Scarborough I was stunned to see the Krankies were still touring, and I was just as stunned to see the run had completely sold-out. I was again taken aback for a moment when I saw Jimmy Cricket was going to Broadway!

Lifford Hall, in Broadway, near Evesham, to be exact.

Still donning his dress shirt and tails with fingerless gloves and Wellington boots, the Irish jester is bringing his show to Worcestershire. But, there's more.

There'll be a new letter from me mammy," said Cricket.

But there'll be a live chat with me mammy via mobile phone. You've got to move with the times. She's always amazed I know where to find her when I ring.

There's a lot of new stuff, and even a bit of juggling."

There is something charming about Cricket. Maybe its in his soft, melodic, Irish voice or maybe it's his conviction that comedy should be clean and there's just no need for dirty words, and his faith in "old-style" comedy.

Cricket's stage personality dates back to his influences as a youngster.

My dad was an undertaker and he had this great sense of humour," said Cricket.

As a child I used to go with him to the Grand Opera House in Belfast

We would climb up to the gods to see headliners such as Lonnie Donnegan, Max Bygraves and Dave Whitfield ply their trade.

People don't seem to want to work for fame these days, they want instant celebrity.

My definition of Big Brother is people with nothing to do watching people who can do nothing."

Cricket got his big break working at holiday camps such as Butlins.

They used to have full orchestras playing there as you walked on stage. Can you imagine that?" he said.

It was also thanks to a top agent, Phyl Rounce, that Cricket broke into the mainstream. Not only had she organised the entertainment for the D-Day troops, but she brought the world Tony Hancock, Rolf Harris and Rod Hull.

Appearing on Search for a Star, Cricket landed his own TV show And There's More. But TV is by no means the be all and end all for Cricket.

His heart firmly belongs to the stage.

You have the people who are running the television schedules saying what you can and can't do," he said.

One of the great blessings about working live is that you have complete control over what you can do.

There are many celebrities who are willing to sell out to appear on the telly. I'm not one of them.

I've been asked to go on Banzai and The Weakest Link. As much as I appreciate them asking, they are not my scene.

I am happiest whacking out the one liners with an audience to bounce off."

And he seems genuinely excited to be appearing at the Lifford Hall, doing what he loves doing best.

Jimmy Cricket will be appearing with Midland's band Finder's Keepers with their blend of 60s, 70s and current music.

The Lifford Hall gig is on Friday, September 26. Tickets are £10 from 01386 852937 and 0136 854702.