He may be 77 years old, but Ken Dodd has proved he can still pull the crowds.

More than 200 people queued in freezing temperatures yesterday to get tickets for his show, some turning up as early as 6am.

And the show, at the Stafford Gatehouse, sold out just two hours after the £17.50 tickets went on sale.

Theatre manager Dan Shaw said: “Our caretaker arrived at 6.55am to find people queuing, some on their own chairs. The box office opened at 9.30am, and there was a queue of at least 200 people.

“We sold out in 2hrs, and that left around 100 people in the street without tickets, as well as all the customers who could not get through on the phones.

Fan Maurice Nicholl, 66, was first in line at 6am.

He told the local Express & Star newspaper: "I am a really big fan of his so I thought I would get here early. I had to sit in the car for a bit because it was so cold, but it is worth it."

It’s not even the first time Dodd has played the 563-seater venue, performing there for at least 24 years.

Shaw added: “He must come here out of loyalty to his fans and the theatre, because we know that he can fill 2,000 seats just as easily.

“We always have a long long queue for Ken Dodd, and as long as he keeps coming to Stafford, I am sure that we always will. He is truly a legend - it is about time he was knighted as he is a genuine national treasure.”