The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Liverpool says its farewells to comic Doddy
Cathedral packed as city is littered with tickling sticks in respect
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Liverpool for the funeral of Sir Ken Dodd.
Fans lined the streets outside his home in Knotty Ash as his funeral cortege, led by a horse-drawn carriage, left and travelled to Liverpool Cathedral.
Along with the comedian’s fans, stars including Jimmy Tarbuck, Les Dennis, Roy Chubby Brown, Claire Sweeney, Ricky Tomlinson, Tom O’Connor, Stephanie Cole and Stan Boardman were at the cathedral to pay their final respects to Sir Ken, who died last month aged 90.
The comic’s trademark tickling sticks were placed around Liverpool landmarks ahead of the service, including on the town hall and a statue of The Beatles at the Pier Head. The cathedral, which seats 2,700, was full for the ceremony, with guests including his famous Diddy Men.
Friends paid tribute to Sir Ken as they arrived for the service.
Ricky Tomlinson said: “He was just a one-off wasn’t he? You can’t compare anyone with Doddy.
“He inspired everyone in Liverpool and that’s why so many people are here today, they loved him.”
Jimmy Tarbuck, who spoke during the service, said: “He was the greatest stage comic I’ve ever seen. I mean, at the Palladium, he did three seasons there and it was glorious.
“He never got giggle laughter, never little titters, there were roars of laughter like you’ve never heard. I’ve never seen anybody get laughs like him.”