TICKLING STICKS & TEARS
Amazing tributes at Doddy’s funeral
COMEDY legend Sir Ken Dodd took his final bow as celebrity pals joined thousands of mourners at his funeral.
They saluted the Liverpool funnyman who brought laughter to millions.
CELEBRITIES were among thousands of mourners paying tribute yesterday at the funeral of comedy legend Sir Ken Dodd.
Fellow funnymen Jimmy Tarbuck, Les Dennis, Roy Chubby Brown, Ricky Tomlinson, Stan Boardman, Johnny Vegas, and Tom O’Connor joined 2,700 others who filled the city’s cathedral.
From the world of acting, Claire Sweeney, Miriam Margolyes and Stephanie Cole were there to honour Sir Ken, who died earlier this month aged 90.
And across hometown Liverpool the comedian’s trademark tickling sticks were placed around key landmarks to say goodbye to a city hero.
Sites included Liverpool’s town hall, a statue of The Beatles at the Pier Head, the Queen Victoria Monument on Derby Square, the Cunard Building, and the Mersey Ferry.
Fans had lined the streets outside Sir Ken’s home in Knotty Ash as his funeral cortege – led by a horse-drawn carriage in a nod to his father’s job as a coal merchant – passed by.
Children dressed as Diddy Men to say their “tatty byes”.
As the coffin, which carried a floral version of Sir Ken, waited outside the cathedral, the band broke into a version of his famous song Happiness.
A statue of the much-loved star was returned to Liverpool Lime Street train station for the day after it was removed temporarily for building work to be carried out.
At the Anglican cathedral, Tarbie lavished praise on Sir Ken saying: “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.” Inside the cathedral the comedian added: “I’m pleased for Ken there’s yet another full house.
“He sang Happiness because he gave happiness.
“He set a standard, ladies and gentlemen, which no-one has remotely approached since.”
He said he had met Sir Ken 57 years ago and “just fell in love with him”.
And he finished by saying: “I just want to thank you Ken and, in the words of Tina Turner, it’s very easy, you’re simply the best.”
Royle Family star Ricky 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.”
Comic Stan said: “He was a Liverpool man. He stayed in Liverpool, was born in Liverpool and died in Liverpool.
“And (he was) respected by everyone in Liverpool, not just as a comedian but as a man. He was a great fella.”
Chubby Brown said: “I’ve been all over the world in my 50 years and I don’t know anyone who didn’t admire Ken Dodd. Everybody loved Ken and when I used to say, ‘Oh he talks to me on the phone and he’s a friend’ I was more popular than ever.”
The one hour and 45-minute service was relayed outside on a big screen.
They heard comic Jimmy Cricket pay tribute to Sir Ken before he gave a reading from St John’s gospel.
He described him as “one of the most different, original, innovative and gifted comedians”.
Jimmy said: “We enjoyed him on the radio and the television but the live shows were special.
“From the moment he went on with his tickling sticks he created magic.
“Ken always said his gift, his talents, were from God and comedians like Ken, they only come once in a lifetime.
“We thank God today that he came during our lifetime.”
Coronation Street actress Stephanie told those gathered inside: “He had a deep humanity and he made everyone he spoke to feel special.
“The first time I met him I was amazed by his lack of ego and his genuine interest in all that he met.”
Author John Fisher ended his tribute with Sir Ken’s farewell phrase, saying: “We’ll never see the like of Ken Dodd again. Thank you Sir Ken, tatty bye.”
Diddy Men followed the coffin out of the cathedral to applause at the end of the service. It was followed by a private interment.
The Star Says: Page 6
‘He gave us a lot of Happiness’