'I believe in miracles' - comic turned priest tells his inspiring story

Frankie Mulgrew, the son of comedian and Lancashire Post columnist, followed in his father's footsteps in comedy - until a battle with depression ultimately led to him becoming a priest.Father Mulgrew tells AASMA DAY his inspiring story and why he believes in physical and spiritual miracles.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Aug 2018, 15:34 BST
Updated 7th Sep 2018, 15:21 BST
Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. REAL LIFE STORYFather Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. REAL LIFE STORY
Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. REAL LIFE STORY

There’s not many Catholic priests that can claim to have appeared on stage dressed as a 6ft dancing bumblebee - but Father Frankie Mulgrew is one of them.

Fr Frankie is the son of comedian Jimmy Cricket and from a young age, he was captivated by a love of the stage and entertainment and followed in his dad’s footsteps by becoming a stand-up comedian himself known as Frankie Doodle.

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However, a battle with depression around the age of 18 led the comic on the journey to become a priest after realising the healing power of the Catholic religion.

Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie as a child with his dad Jimmy Cricket REAL LIFE STORYFather Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie as a child with his dad Jimmy Cricket REAL LIFE STORY
Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie as a child with his dad Jimmy Cricket REAL LIFE STORY

Fr Mulgrew, now 41, explains: “From a young age, I was inspired by my dad and the dream was always to follow in his footsteps.

“From a tiny age, I remember my dad telling jokes and people falling about laughing, but I didn’t always understand the jokes.

“I can recall my dad getting out a fish and pretending to play it and then saying: ‘It’s a tuna fish.”

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“When I grew a bit older, I suddenly understood the joke and thought it was hilarious.

Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie when he was a child REAL LIFE STORYFather Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie when he was a child REAL LIFE STORY
Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie when he was a child REAL LIFE STORY

“You grew into his jokes.

“I would see people watching my dad and crying with laughter and happiness and I thought: ‘That’s what I want to do.’

Fr Frankie, who lived with his family in Rochdale and has one brother and two sisters, began stints on stage from a young age as when he was nine and his brother was 11, they did a double act called “Frank and Ernest” singing and doing routines taught to them by their famous dad.

Fr Frankie recalls: “That gave me the entertainment bug and during the school holidays, my dad would take me on the road with him and I would get the chance to go backstage and see how it all worked and that was really exciting.”

Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie when he was in the panto Aladdin REAL LIFE STORYFather Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie when he was in the panto Aladdin REAL LIFE STORY
Father Frankie Mulgrew, the son of Jimmy Cricket. He followed in his dad's footsteps and became a comedian himself but then became a priest. Father Frankie when he was in the panto Aladdin REAL LIFE STORY