Television opportunities followed and Jim made appearances on Granada’s “Wheeltappers and Shunters’ Social Club” alongside Thames Television’s late-night chat show ‘Take Two’. Central Television’s “Up For the Cup” and “Starburst” featured Jim together with “Summertime Special” and “Noel’s House Party”. (He was “Gotcha’d” by Noel as part of his Saturday night programme). Many other guest appearances followed including “Celebrity Squares”, “Pebble Mill”,” Family Fortunes”, “Des O’Connor Tonight” and numerous Christmas Television Specials.

His autobiography “From a Bundle of Rags” was published in 1992 in hardback and went to paperback the following year. Ten years later he wrote an updated version of his life entitled “Right Place Right Time”.

A cabaret artist and entertainer, he is also happy playing situation comedy or straight roles, including “Foxy Lady” with Diane Keen, “Happy Together” with Julie Walters and several cameo roles in “Last of the Summer Wine”. He played a major character as a crooked accountant in Central Television’s prestigious 1980’s six part film drama “Muck and Brass” starring Mel Smith.

More recently Jim appeared in “Jonathan Creek” with Alan Davies, “The Grimleys” alongside Brian Conley and as ‘Hoss Cartwright’ in the second hilarious series of “Phoenix Nights” starring Peter Kay. Sarah Lancashire cast Jim as ‘Norman’ in “The Bingo Hall”, one of 6 afternoon dramas for BBC 2 in October 2004.

He was very familiar to Northern audiences as “Alf”, the long-suffering barman in 14 very successful commercials for Tetley Bitter. In 1986 he was the subject of “This is your Life” with Eammon Andrews, and in 1988 Sarah Kennedy caught him by surprise as she revealed his schooldays in Central TV’s “Classmates”.

Since his early years he has been an avid jazz fan and is probably the most frustrated trumpet player in the world! This has led to almost two decades cruising on QE2 with “The Hot Rhythm Orchestra” several times a year.

His after dinner speeches are regarded by his peers as amongst the funniest on the circuit, where he highlights the frailties and shortcomings of show business and all its trappings, featuring particularly the ‘Bullseye’ era.

He is of course best known for his “Bullseye” TV game show, which for fifteen years was avidly watched by over twelve million viewers, attaining ‘cult’ status among University students. This has led to regular appearances at both the Oxford and Cambridge Unions. Instantly recognised throughout the UK, Jim is good value on the corporate scene where his varied stage and screen experience is invaluable.

From 1999 to 2003 Jim worked for BBC Radio Lancashire, presenting and creating a hugely popular live morning magazine programme.

Over the last few years there has been a resurgence of interest in ‘Bullseye’ following its showing on ‘Challenge TV’. This has resulted in numerous guest appearances on all channels from BBC's “Weakest Link” on which he appeared three times (twice a winner!) to ‘Des & Mel’, ‘Richard & Judy’ and the 'Morning Show' with Phil & Fern.

In 2005 Jim enjoyed a highly successful sell-out season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Jongleurs Comedy Club was the venue as Jim entertained hundreds of people with anecdotes of his time on The Comedians and the host of Bullseye.

In 2007 he returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and played to packed houses at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

On Saturday 16th February 2008 Jim was seen as a guest on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Take-Away.

Summer 2008 saw Jim returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with "Look At What You Could Have Won" which played to packed houses at the Udder Belly in Bristo Square. Other artistes who were appearing in Edinburgh appeared as special guests delighting audiences with their showbiz annecdotes.

Nowadays Jim splits his time between entertaning cruise passengers, providing corporate entertainment and amusing diners with his after dinner speeches.