CELEBS WHO WENT DOTTY FOR DODDY

Sir Ken had many a celebrity fan and often left them starstruck. Lady Anne saw first-hand how some of the country’s biggest names idolised the comedy legend...

THE BEATLES

Ken was interviewed with The Beatles at Granada Television in Manchester, in 1963. The banter between them – especially John Lennon, who liked comedy – was fabulous. It was a bit of a mutual admiration society, which was really nice. They were great ambassadors for Liverpool.

PETER O’TOOLE

The actor turned up at the show in Worthing of all places. We didn’t know he was coming but after the show, he came in and Ken was so amazed he halfbowed to him.

He said: “My goodness, big famous film stars are coming to see me!”

Peter said: “Doddy, I loved that. It was a wonderful night.” For something to say, Ken replied, “That’s a nice tie.” They chatted and at the end, Peter said, “Well, Doddy, I’ve had a lovely hour,” and he took his tie off and said, “Will you please have this?”

It was such a down-to-earth thing to do.

BOB HOPE

When Ken did his season at the Palladium, Bob went to see him. Somebody interviewed him after he’d seen the theatre show and he said: “Ahh, Ken was very funny. Every laugh was like a knife in my side.”

TOMMY COOPER

Ken used to get on very well with Tommy Cooper, who didn’t know how funny he was. They’d meet up at a function or a charity event. And they’d be standing around telling each other jokes. They’d have quite a good old time.

ROY HUDD

He first came to attention when Ken was doing a season in Torquay about 1960. While being interviewed himself, Ken told the reporter to “go and see this chap at the theatre in Babbacombe – he’s very good”. Ken liked to help new comics and entertainers who had talent to get on. Roy always remembered that – as it gave him a lift at the beginning of his career.