Ken Dodd

[amateur51]

My Uncle was a cabbie in Liverpool in the 60s and 70s and used to tell us that none of the cabbies picked up Doddy cos he was such a tight fisted guy they could hardly get the fare out of him.

Nothing new there. When Wilfred Pickles was nationally famous he would pay his B&B bill by cheque safe in the knowledge that most landladies would rather frame it than cash it

[Mandryka]

Nothing new there. When Wilfred Pickles was nationally famous he would pay his B&B bill by cheque safe in the knowledge that most landladies would rather frame it than cash it

Totally ot, I know, but Wilfrid Pickles is one of those names (there are many others) on the very precipice of being totally forgotten. I don't personally remember him (he was some time before my time) but few people who encountered him spoke well of him. He shares a pub name in his native Halfiax with fellow Halifaxian Eric Portman (who is, similarly, almost completely forgotten): apparently, he (Pickles) once played Richard lll, something I find it difficult to envisage.

Roy Hudd tells a story about being in his dressing room after a panto performance at Theatr Clywd when the door manager popped round to tell him, 'Ken Dodd's in the bar and wants to buy you a drink.' Hudd was so stunned by this uncharacteristic behaviour that at first, he didn't believe it; when he did go out to the bar, Doddy generously bought him a half of bitter, never asking if he'd prefer a pint. :)

[Roslynmuse]

I was taken to see Ken Dodd at the Liverpool Empire when I was 7 years old. The first part of the show was aimed at children, with the Diddymen, etc. The second half was KD's cabaret act....can't remember much about it, except coming back very late.

Tbh, his humour is not my thing, but I must acknowledge that anyone who campaigns for the Tories in Liverpool Exchange must need a robust sense of humour and a (very) thick skin.

I saw him at the Liverpool Royal Court - my sixth birthday (I think) so 1970. Memory of the event very similar to yours!

I saw him again this February in Stockport - 7pm start, 1230am finish - extraordinary. Felt like being in a time-warp. Some very funny moments, much sentimental nostalgia, horrific cabaret singer (she played the flute too - after a fashion) but for all its cheap look and tacky feel I'm glad I went. (Wife and son left at the interval - 10.30pm!)

[gingerjon]

I'll give you two examples of opportunities missed - Doddy mentioned Billy Bennett and Frank Randle as two of his favourite comedians. What did Sweet do? Ignored Bennett reference and tried to argue that Randle was a difficult man. Terrific stuff - cheers Matthew. You have possibly the only comedian who's still working who remembers these two in front of you & you miss both open goals

Possibly - although I do get the feeling that The Doddster wouldn't have gone too deeply into that area.

I feel a bit shortchanged that the only time I've seen Ken Dodd live he only did 25 minutes worth of material.

Granted, it was a panto and the cast had nothing to do but watch him whilst he broke out of character (and through the fourth wall) to entertain a gaggle of schoolkids but, still ...

[jean]

I was present at this concert, when he he joined the Crosby Symphony Orchestra to recite Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra.

He did it rather well.