Ken Dodd and the stolen concrete wellies
The mystery of Jimmy Cricket’s stolen concrete wellies and why there was a happy ending despite them never being found is the subject of his latest newspaper column.
Writing in the Lancashire Evening Post, the Northern Irish comedian tells the story involving a close and famous friend.
Jimmy said on social media: “Hi friends! Here is my latest #leponline column.
“A funny and true story which involves one of the greatest comedians we ever produced (and whom we all sadly miss), Sir Ken Dodd.”
Here is the column:
Welcome readers, I’d like to share a memory – come closer…
It happened over 30 years ago – 1995 to be precise.
And it happened in a restaurant called Patricks in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.
It was my 50th birthday and my family had hired the restaurant to help me celebrate the occasion.
It was wonderful to sit there surrounded by all my friends.
And although the room was full, I couldn’t help noticing two empty seats right next to me.
Then it happened!
I was just about to swallow a spoonful of soup when two people came through the door – could it be?
No it couldn’t, yes it was! Sir Ken Dodd with Lady Anne by his side.
Any doubts I had that it was the real Doddy were swept aside as they both saddled straight up to our table.
Anne placed a tickling stick down, but Ken was carrying something much heavier and when he plonked down his present the table nearly collapsed!
It was a king-sized pair of concrete wellingtons!
Totally unprepared
As I looked closer, I could see the handwritten inscription To Jimmy, Lots of Happiness – Ken.
Now the mystery of the two empty chairs had been solved.
And for the next couple of hours, I shared my birthday meal with a man whom I had both loved and admired all my life.
The next part of this story takes an unexpected twist.
A few years later I was taken aback when Mrs Cricket broke the news to me that the spot in my front garden that was occupied by my birthday wellies was now empty.
Yes folks, they’d been nicked, and I was gutted.
After informing the police, I rang a local radio station.
I thought it would be a novel little story to amuse the listeners.
But I was totally unprepared for the avalanche of publicity that came my way.
Happy ending
The phone calls and emails from radio presenters and journalists around the country enquiring about my missing wellies just kept coming.
I suppose it was a testament to the esteem and affection the nation held for Ken.
It gave me an idea to write a song called Santa Bring My Wellies Back To Me which raised some money for a children’s hospice in Manchester called Francis House.
So you could say I turned a disadvantage into an advantage.
As for the wellies themselves? Well, I never did get them back, but the story does have a happy ending.
Not long after, my good lady sent off for a pair of concrete wellingtons on eBay, which Sir Ken kindly signed again, and they’ve got pride of place in my living room.
Every time I look over at them, I realis how blessed I was to be friends with one of the greatest comedians that ever landed on planet Earth!
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian now just £10!
