Dodd started his career as a ventriloquist - and indeed still uses the Dicky Mint dummy in his act.

However, his success came through his exaggerated on-stage persona - the manic hairstyle, protruding teeth and, of course, trademark tickling stick - combined with a relentless stream of one-liners, peppered with nonsense words like 'tattifilarious', that can - and do - entertain audiences for hours.

He built his reputation as a live performer on the variety stage, and famously logs audience reactions to jokes every night, building up a picture of what plays well where.

His career was boosted with appearances on TV, often just guest roles, but his bizarre appearance would always stick in the mind. He also has a penchant for sickly ballads, as well as his signature tune Happiness, recording several albums of love songs and notching up 19 top 40 hits, including the 1965 chart-topper Tears.

Dodd became embroiled in a tax-dodging case in the Eighties, and was eventually cleared, but the case revealed much about Dodd's eccentric private life, too.

CV

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He's incredible. Saw him in Cardiff a couple of years ago and he was on stage for the best part of five hours firing gags non-stop. The real deal.

Matthew, April 2010

Saw Ken Dodd at Kendal. Took 90 yr old mother, who loves him. After over three hrs to the interval we decided, along with a third of the audience, to go home sadly. Mum's comment was, 'what a shame, He's lost the plot. He should retire before he ruins his good name'. She was right. Sad end to a brilliant career. Sorry Ken, we'll remember you as you were if you don't mind. Ian.

Ian Rollins, January 2009

We saw Ken at Leeds City Varieties in one the last shows before it closes for refurbishment. It's the first time we'd seen him and for entertainment & comedic value, the show was superb, full of good honest fun for the family and beautifully delivered by a master of art.

David, January 2009

We love Ken Dodd. It's about time he got recognition for all he has done for good clean entertainment. He should be knighted

MONICA, November 2007

Saw Ken in Northampton on the 20th October what a lovely guy. How he keeps going is beyond me and he certainly gives value for money. Unlike some who just about manage an hour or hour and half of entertainment for the same price. Everyone left the theatre happy, smiling and talking to one another. He should be given a knighthood.

june Hobbs & James Harford, October 2007

Ken Dodd. Birmingham Hippodrome May 5, 2007. Wow, what can i say? Probably the worst thing I've ever seen, no, for the money, it WAS the worst thing I have ever seen. It takes a few minutes of watching a comedian to get a good idea of what they will be like. He was dire from the very start. He made me laugh on very few occassions, I looked around to make sure I wasn't having a lack of humour night. No, there were many stone faced people. He introduced a female musical act after about an hour, she was diabolical. I though we had paid to see professionals. The next act was a magic act. Hah, his 'magic' was so old! He produced doves from the back of his long black jacket and pretended that he had magiced them from a silk hankie. Pathetic! Ken Dodd reappeared, not as if by magic, i might add. More rubbish material. It was so bad that we were willing the interval to come. At last, a chance to escape, the thought of sitting through hours more of that trash was horrible. I loved Ken Dodd when i was a kid and thought his 'an audience with' hilarious. He is now a well past it, sometimes incoherent 80 year old that should hang up his tickling stick NOW.

L.E. Williams, May 2007

I saw Ken at Blackpool on Sunday. He was brilliant, gag after gag after gag. The man is a comic genius, loved every minute. Show started at 7.30 and we left the theatre at 12.55, and we were full of hapiness, which still hasn't worn off yet, even though I am back to work! Brilliant. Well done Ken.

John G. Wood, October 2006

Ken Dodd is a true star of the stage! I class myself at 43 to be at the younger end of his fan brigade, my son aged 16 a mere baby!! What a shame there aren't more DVDss available for Ken's army of fans to buy. No matter how many times I watch Ken Dodd I still laugh time and time again. The man is pure genius

Wendy, October 2006

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