TATTYFILARIOUS!
Legend Doddy has last laugh on the taxman
SIR Ken Dodd had the last laugh on the taxman by getting married two days before he died.
The Scouse comedy legend was cleared of tax fraud charges in 1989.
He went on to make jokes about his bookkeeping for the rest of his career.
And by getting hitched to Anne Jones, his partner of 40 years, his estate has avoided a huge tax bill.
There is no inheritance tax if someone leaves their money to a spouse.
Lawyer Matthew Scott tweeted: “Ken Dodd sorted out his tax affairs very sensibly by marrying two days before his death.”
Sir Ken, who was knighted last year, died aged 90 just weeks after being discharged from hospital with a lung infection.
His devastated widow Anne paid tribute outside their home in Ken’s birthplace of Knotty Ash, Liverpool, yesterday.
She said: “I’ve had the supreme joy and privilege of working and living with him as partner for the past 40 years.
Adoring
“The world has lost the most lifeenhancing brilliant creative comedian with an operatically trained voice who just wanted to make people happy.”
She added: “He lived to perfect his art and entertain his adoring audiences.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the love and affection which I have already received from dear friends and the public. I thank you all.”
Sir Ken had faced disgrace when he went on trial over eight allegations of tax fraud spanning 15 years and involving £825,000.
The trial heard how he had 20 bank accounts in tax havens Jersey and the Isle of Man, where he flew regularly to deposit undeclared cash.
He also stashed away £336,000 at home in his attic, wardrobes, cupboards and under the stairs.
But a Liverpool Crown Court jury acquitted him after some memorable lines from his lawyer George Carman. He told the jury: “Some accountants are comedians but comedians are never accountants.”
Sir Ken later joked to an audience: “I told the Inland Revenue I didn’t owe them a penny because I lived near the seaside.”
The tax allegations didn’t dent the popularity of the much-loved performer dubbed “the last of the music hall maestros”.
Sir Ken, who did not have children, was known for his one-liners and hilarious interviews on chat shows.
He was also a talented musician and singer and his records, including No1 Tears For Souvenirs, sold in their millions.
Yesterday fans made a shrine of his iconic “tickling sticks” – feather dusters – outside his home.
The world of showbiz also paid tribute.
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney wrote on Instagram: “Farewell to my fellow Liverpudlian, the tattyfilarious Ken Dodd. Beloved by many people in Britain and a great champion of his home city and comedy. “We met him on a few occasions as The Beatles and always ended up in tears of laughter. “Today it’s tears of sadness as well. See you Doddy.” Scouse comic John Bishop said: “True comedy legend. RIP Sir Ken Dodd.” Bake Off presenter Sandi Toksvig tweeted: “Best dinner companion I ever sat next to. “Don’t think I said a word. Just laughed and laughed and tried not to drown in my soup. Thank you for the genius.” And telly presenters Ant and Dec said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Ken Dodd. A comedy legend. RIP.”