An Audience with May McFettridge

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In the early 1980s, Linehan was diagnosed as having syringomyelia and he had neurosurgery in 1983 following which he had meningitis. The syringomyelia has caused muscle wastage and some loss of sensation on his left side. Famed for its orchards, its warm hospitality, friendly people, history, culture and outstanding food and drink, Armagh will continue to surprise many for its must-visit destination appeal and we really hope that this local and global celebration will inspire and engage many people of all ages to experience this place for real when all of us can.”

I went up on the scaffolding to the ceiling and was touching the ornamental elephant just by the gods. The place is shining bright, with the decorative features repainted, new seating and carpet.”The character became a regular on Downtown Radio. Since that time, Linehan has topped the bill as his character in the Christmas Pantomime in the Grand Opera House in Belfast for thirty consecutive years (2019/20 season). [2] And how does John feel knowing that the character has become so iconic that it'd be recognised throughout Northern Ireland. You name them and I've met them," he says. "I did warm-up for the Kelly Show for 16 years. I met everyone who was anyone on that and had great craic with them - I'm talking from Kylie Minogue, Cliff Richard, George Best. All of them could take a joke - professional people always can. People who can't take a joke are people who think they are somebody and really they are not. But the genuine superstars, they are just themselves. I don’t listen to podcasts, just appear on them, including one with Diona Doherty from The Blame Game. This Cinderella is a comic outing in the main, even though the story is uber-romantic. So we saw Buttons, the Prince and Cinders upending each other on a wall and doing a comedy routine which undercut the passion.

Whilst comedy has evolved greatly over the past five decades, Jimmy has never been tempted to stray from his own distinctive family-friendly act, which invariably includes a ‘letter from me mammy’ to be read out and some tunes on the saxophone. Belfast’s Grand Opera House has announced the cast and creative team for its 2023 pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which is set to be the biggest show of the festive season, oh yes it is!As well as his faith, Jimmy is thankful for the support of his wife of 49 years, May, his daughter Katie, who has done stand-up and is an award-winning playwright, his son Dale, a hospice events fundraiser, daughter Jamie, who is a teacher in America, and son Frankie a parish priest in Salford. Linehan has a long association with Northern Amateur Football League club Malachians F.C. and spent two seasons as manager of their reserve team. [5]

This pantomime has a score that encompasses Abba and other pop standards. Prince Charming (Conor Headley), Buttons (Adam C Booth) and co have a good stab at it, but unfortunately the beautiful Cinderella herself (Kia-Paris Walcott) wasn't vocally on the money and sometimes sounded a bit shrill. But the dancing and overall stage enthusiasm kept things going pretty nicely.The legendary battleaxe, who has chalked up around 2,400 appearances on the Grand Opera House stage, will be starring in Beauty and The Beast for the first time – and her alter ego John Linehan admits he had to seek advice from her three-year-old grand daughter Eve when researching the role.

He is also looking forward to spending more time with his three young grandchildren and to having a warmer winter by not having to shave his beard. As well as the interaction with the audience, what both agree they will miss most is the camaraderie with their fellow cast and crew.Jimmy later moved to the north of England, where he still lives. It was whilst performing at Working Men's Clubs, that his catchphrase Come ‘Ere There’s More was born. Well-known Northern Irish actor Sean Kearns, who has also appeared in a variety of West End roles including Comedy About A Bank Robbery and Billy Elliot, is the narrator and leads a talented cast which also includes Alistair Brookshaw and Sinéad O’Kelly who play the Baker and Baker’s wife. The Grand Opera House pantomime is staged by Olivier award-winning producer Michael Harrison on behalf of Crossroads Pantomimes, the biggest pantomime producer in the world. Michael also produces The London Palladium’s pantomimes, and his current show, The Wizard of Oz, is enjoying a sell-out run at the venue before it embarks on a UK and Ireland tour, which includes a week at the Grand Opera House in May 2024.