�Comedian Jimmy Cricket is inviting audiences to “come closer’” when he performs next month.

The Irish funnyman is heading to the Thameside Theatre, in Orsett Road, Grays, on Wednesday, October 3 at 2pm as part of his Great Value for a Tenner tour.

Cricket rose to fame in the 1980s, winning television contest show Search For A Star before hosting his own programme, And There’s More.

His popularity reached such a peak that in 1984 he was one of the acts on The Royal Variety Show.

Nearly 30 years on he is still making people chuckle on the stand-up circuit, complete with trademark wellies on the wrong feet, catchphrases “There’s more” and “Come closer” and his famous letters from his mammy.

And the whole family can join in the fun as Cricket takes pride in his shows not having any swearing or offensive material.

Get ready for silly singalongs, funny props taken from his onstage trunk and gags galore.

Tickets for the show, described as “recession proof”, cost �10 for adults or �2.50 for children, with free tea and biscuits.

Call the box office on 0845 3005264.