Director sees ‘Uncle Ken’ get knighthood
THE managing director of a firm which owns a Runcorn business park visited Buckingham Palace to watch a famous relative be knighted.
John Lewis and his wife Linda went to London to see his uncle and legendary comedian Ken Dodd become Sir Ken.
The 89-year-old comic has been entertaining audiences for more than 60 years and received his knighthood on Thursday, March 2.
John, who affectionately refers to him as Uncle Ken, said: “Our family are immensely proud that Uncle Ken has at long last received the recognition he so thoroughly deserves for an extraordinary career in show business.
“Amazingly he is still performing to sell-out audiences and his Happiness Tour has just completed its 25th consecutive year.
“He’s not only a brilliant comedian and TV celebrity but Ken was also a wonderful singer who had massive hits with chart topping records such as Tears, Love Is Like A Violin and Happiness which became his signature tune.
“Tears was at number one for five weeks and became the third biggest selling single of the 1960s.”
John is the managing director SOG, which owns the Heath Business And Technical Park, which Sir Ken has visited on several occasions.
In January, John and Linda were with Ken when he received the Freedom Of The City of London from the Lord Mayor at a special ceremony at The Mansion House.
John added: “That was a mar- ● vellous occasion and we’re really looking forward to seeing Uncle Ken receive his knighthood at Buckingham Palace.
“He is a legend, particularly in Liverpool where people campaigned long and hard for him to be recognised for his amazing charity work and his massive contribution to show business spanning six decades.
“He’s even got a statue at Liverpool’s Lime Street Station – and there aren’t many people who can say they have had a statue commemorated to them during their lifetime!”