R.I.P. Doddy
It’s tatty-bye to a comedy genius...
FAREWELL TO A STAR Children dressed as Diddy Men at Doddy’s funeral
THEY made bright splashes of colour against the grey, drizzly skies – reminders of the “rainbow of laughter” Sir Ken Dodd spent his life chasing.
As the King of Mirthy side made his final journey through the Liverpool that adored him, they proved the perfect tribute to “the city’s greatest hero”.
Thousands of tickling sticks, Doddy’s fun prop, were waved as crowds lined the streets for the comedy legend’s funeral. Red, white and blue ones adorned the Town Hall balcony and the famous Beatles statue.
And inside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, fans who’d queued for hours to get a seat shed tears for the dearly departed Squire of Knotty Ash. What a wonderful way to say tatty-bye to the man who brought Britain happiness for more than 60 years.
Before the service, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, said: “Ken was the ultimate showman, a truly unique performer and a wonderful ambassador for Liverpool.
“There will never be another comedian like Ken. His passing marks the end of an era in British entertainment.”
As well as being a beloved funny man, Ken also had a string of music hits in the 1960s. His Tears For Souvenirs was the third best-selling single of the decade and his records shifted millions.
Yesterday, Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd, OBE, who died on March 11 aged 90, got a glorious send-off that some of the 3,000-strong congregation compared to a state funeral.
Well, apart from the eight Diddy Men who followed his coffin, the picture of Dicky Mint stuck on the end and the Red Rose Concert Band playing outside. No, this was a unique memorial service for a showbiz one-off.
And, unlike Sir Ken’s marathon fivehour stage shows, the curtain came down after just two hours, followed by a private burial – alongside his beloved parents – and a reception for family, friends and fellow entertainers.
Mourners included comedians Johnny Vegas, Roy Hudd, Les Dennis, Stan Boardman, Roy Chubby Brown, Tom O’Connor, Bernie Clifton and Bob Carolgees. Actors Claire Sweeney, Ricky Tomlinson and Miriam Margolyes joined the throng and there were representatives of the many charities Doddy supported, and for which he was knighted in 2017.
His partner of 40 years, Lady Anne, 76, who married Doddy two days before he died, said she wanted it to be “a family service shared by thousands”. She said the response to his death showed that “Ken had tremendous empathy with people. He loved his audience and he loved what he did.” The coffin, adorned with yellow blooms – the colour of clowns on his laughter rainbow – was carried by horse-drawn hearse, in tribute to his coal merchant father Arthur. At 11am it left his lifelong home in Knotty Ash and was clapped and
cheered on its six-mile journey to the Cathedral, where a big screen relayed the service to fans who didn’t make it inside.
Doddy’s great-nephew Alex, an RAF corporal – one of eight pallbearers – read a tribute from the family, praising the comic for being “a wonderful, enthusiastic mentor”.
Family friend Peter Rogan MBE told the congregation of “the great loves of Doddy’s life” – Lady Anne, family, showbiz, dogs, books, latenight debates over Question Time and helping people. Waiting For God actress Stephanie Cole also gave a eulogy, saying: “He was a gentle man with a deep humanity who made everyone he spoke to feel special.”
Then Jimmy Tarbuck recalled meeting Doddy in a Liverpool comedy club 57 years ago and how Ken’s act overran so long that a colleague joked that his dog had died in the meantime.
Tarby added: “What a perfect venue for a city hero. Was he a good comic? No, he was the greatest stage comedian I have ever seen in my life.
“It was an honour to watch him – a joy. He sang Happiness, because he gave happiness. Doddy, you were simply the best.”
Irish comic Jimmy Cricket said of his pal: “He was loved by all the pros and by all his audiences.”
Writer and family friend John Fisher said that Doddy was “a joking, jumping, singing, skipping, verbal, visual whirlwind of laughter – tickling the funny bones and tweaking the chuckle muscles of everyone.”
The Acting Dean of Liverpool, Canon Myles Davies, said Doddy put Knotty Ash on the map and the people of Liverpool held him dear because he stayed true to his roots.
He said: “The city of Liverpool was the place he loved and the reason he was loved so much.”
During the service of wonderful hymns and choral music, the most poignant moment came when Doddy’s own voice rang out, singing Absent Friends.
Diddy Men followed as his coffin was carried out, while the congregation gave Doddy a final standing ovation.
Earlier, Tarby had joked about Doddy turning up at the Pearly Gates and God saying to St Peter: “Ask him if he’ll do five minutes.”
St Peter, of course, replied: “He’s never done five minutes in his life!”
But if God does fancy having his chuckle muscle tweaked, Sir Ken is well prepared – he was buried with two of his famous tickling sticks, ready to put on a show.
As he left the Cathedral, to the strains of his most enduring hits, the sun came out and shone through the stained glass windows over the great west porch.
Casting one last laughter rainbow for the man who brought us Happiness.