Shows on BBC One, ITV and Channel 5

Broadcasters have cleared slots in their schedules to pay tribute to Sir Ken Dodd tonight.

BBC One is ditching its scheduled edition of Imagine… at 10:45pm for an Arena profile, Ken Dodd’s Happiness, which first aired in 2003.

In it, the comic discusses his career and his approach to comedy alongside clips of his early performances and footage of him on tour in more recent times.

Here is a clip:

That will be followed at 11.45pm by Talking Comedy: Ken Dodd - a collection of some of his funniest chat show appearances that first aired in 2016.

The BBC’s Imagine profile will clash with ITV’s tribute. The broadcaster is repeating 2002’s Another Audience with Ken Dodd at 10.45pm, in which the comic entertains a crowd of celebrities.

Earlier in the evening, Channel 5 is showing Ken Dodd...In His Own Words at 9pm. Made in 2016, the two-hour programme features live recordings, interviews with the comic himself and contributions from friends, colleagues and contemporaries including Miriam Margolyes, Ricky Tomlinson, Roy Hudd and  Tim Vine.

Radio 2 will be paying tribute on Wednesday with a repeat of a 2013 documentary hosted by Liza Tarbuck at 11pm. Contributors here include Russ Abbot, Mick Miller, Jimmy Tarbuck as well as Sir Ken himself

Published: 12 Mar 2018