Ken Dodd dies, aged 90

The news broke in the middle of the night that Ken Dodd has passed away.

Comedian Sir Ken Dodd has died at the age of 90, his publicist has said. https://t.co/NcMi4AdBa9

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 12, 2018

The news of him being in hospital recently didn't sound good, and he'd apparently cancelled his gigs in the last 24 hours. Considering he was still touring at the age of 90, you'd be hard pressed to find a comedian as hard working as he was.

I found out as a notification on the Sky News app, turn on the linear tv channel and they were in a repeat of the Press Preview with the normal news on the ticker.

For me, Ken Dodd was someone who was always in the background and who I had never really taken to. I hadn't really watched much of him and was always a bit put off for some reason. A reason unknown actually.

Then I happened to watch him headlining the Royal Variety Show one year. Many years ago. I found myself in stitches and literally rolling on the floor. I guess I had gotten to an age where I understood his quick fire comedy.

And ever since then I was a big fan.

RIP Doddy. Legend.

I guess Channel 5, or whoever has the rights, will wheel out the "An Audience With" shows sometime soon.

I'm quite saddened by the news at this. I hope ITV will show something in tribute.

RIP Ken Dodd,

I hope you'll make people laugh in heaven.

RIP Sir Ken

A truly original legend.

Thank you for the tears of laughter.

Probably because he didn't appear on TV that much. Apart from his programmes in the 60s he didn't have his own big TV career in the way most friends his contemporaries did. He only appeared on TV occasionally either to do his act or be interviewed. He was a live act first and foremost - packed out theatres and didn't need TV


He's a previous generation's Eddie Izzard - someone very well known and much loved, but not because of a TV career

His passing has got to me, I thought he had another 10 years, and would still be on the stage when he was 100. He wasn't a celebrity, he was a Legend.

He actually had tv shows right up until the early 80s, I think his last proper series was on the BBC around 82? he did plenty of stuff for both ITV AND BBC, BUT he would still pop up everywhere between then and now. Doing documentaries, tv specials etc etc

On top of that he a singer, with some big hits, he has the 3rd biggest song of the 60s and the 18th biggest selling song of all time.

He was on stage every single year, selling out tours up and down the country, He was always booked in to do Blackpool every october.



on Mastermind:


Ken with the beatles.


Here he is two weeks ago:


Here is radio interview he did a while back

According to Imdb he had a series throughout the 60s and then one in 1979. As I say that's why he's not really known for his TV work by many.

Heard him on the QI spin off Museum of Curiosity a couple of years ago and he was absolutely sharp as a nail. I'm a bit of a comedy anorak but hadn't really watched his stuff or heard him speak before, it changed my opinion of him

Weird that imdb is missing the 1976 series and 1982 series. Oh well. But his stage work, he would walk on at 7pm with his piece box and say I hope your brought yours because your not getting out

Love it when the BBC Archive digs up an old Late Night Line-Up clip:

Ken Dodd discussing northern humour on Late Night Line-Up in 1965 pic.twitter.com/qMYkbjGpbz

— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) March 12, 2018

According to twitter, a couple of schedule changes tonight. Channel 5 as 'Ken Dodd in his own words' at 9pm and ITV is repeating 'Another Audience With Ken Dodd' at 10.45pm