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knotty ash

Happiness exhibition is ‘wonderful tribute to Ken’ 150 150 mhamer

Happiness exhibition is ‘wonderful tribute to Ken’

What a wonderful visit to the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ today when we went to the @MuseumLiverpool and met up with Lady Anne Dodd and the curator Karen O’ Rourke, what a fantastic tribute to Ken!

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed a “wonderful visit” to a special exhibition held in honour of his great friend, the late Sir Ken Dodd.

Sir Ken is being remembered with a nostalgic display of memorabilia in his beloved hometown of Liverpool.

A famous comedian and singer, Sir Ken died in March 2018 at the age of 90.

He often did very long stand-up shows, which would last until the early hours of the morning!

People will also remember him fondly for his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash (where he was born and died) and his tickling stick.

The Museum of Liverpool exhibition, entitled Happiness!, celebrates his life and career.

It is running for six months until 3 March 2024.

The website promoting the event says: “Ken’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour transformed the UK’s comedy scene.

‘Natural gift for making people laugh’

“Using memorabilia from Ken Dodd’s personal archive, this show will explore Ken’s career and how his comedic approach continues to be used and adopted by some of the UK’s most well-known and emerging comedians.

“Fondly remembered for the magical world he created, including Ken Dodd’s Diddymen, his tickling stick and the jam butty mines, his true passion was his natural gift for making people laugh.

“The exhibition will build on Ken’s passion, looking at the science of comedy, happiness and why laughter is good for our health.”

You can book tickets here for the exhibition.

Fellow funnyman Jimmy visited the exhibition yesterday (Thursday, 19 October).

He said: “What a wonderful visit to the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ today when we went to the @MuseumLiverpool and met up with Lady Anne Dodd and the curator Karen O’ Rourke.

“What a fantastic tribute to Ken!”

Signature song

The son of a coal merchant, Ken Dodd had been a comedian since 1954.

He made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer.

He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40.

His version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

And his recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965.

It was the biggest hit single in Britain that year, selling more than one million copies in the UK alone.

Autobiography

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is priced at £11.99 as a paperback.

It is also available as an ebook priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free).

Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

Jimmy has said he is happy to sign copies of the book at his live shows, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

Mary’s Meals

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

‘Amazing memorabilia from the maestro of Knotty Ash!’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Amazing memorabilia from the maestro of Knotty Ash!’

The late Sir Ken Dodd is being remembered with a special exhibiton of memorabilia in his hometown of Liverpool.

The late Sir Ken Dodd is being remembered with a special exhibiton of memorabilia in his hometown of Liverpool.

Sir Ken, who died at the age of 90 in March 2018, was a famous comedian and singer.

He often did very long stand-up shows, which sometimes lasted until the early hours of the morning.

People will also remember him fondly for his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash (where he was born and died) and his tickling stick.

The Museum of Liverpool exhibition, entitled Happiness!, celebrates his life and career.

It runs from Saturday (9 September) to 3 March 2024.

The website promoting the event says: “Ken’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour transformed the UK’s comedy scene.

‘Natural gift for making people laugh’

“Using memorabilia from Ken Dodd’s personal archive, this show will explore Ken’s career and how his comedic approach continues to be used and adopted by some of the UK’s most well-known and emerging comedians.

“Fondly remembered for the magical world he created, including Ken Dodd’s Diddymen, his tickling stick and the jam butty mines, his true passion was his natural gift for making people laugh.

“The exhibition will build on Ken’s passion, looking at the science of comedy, happiness and why laughter is good for our health.”

You can book tickets here for the exhibition.

Fellow funnyman Jimmy Cricket, a very good friend of Ken’s, highlighted the event on social media.

He said: “Hi folks. Opening soon is the ‘Happiness Exhibition’ dedicated to one of the greatest comics who ever graced the stage.

“Running till March 2024, why not pop along and see some amazing memorabilia from the maestro of Knotty Ash!”

Signature song

The son of a coal merchant, Ken Dodd had been a comedian since 1954.

He made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer.

He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40.

His version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

And his recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965.

It was the biggest hit single in Britain that year, selling more than one million copies in the UK alone.

Autobiography

Don’t forget that Jimmy Cricket’s autobiography is on sale.
Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian is priced at £11.99 as a paperback.

It is also available as an ebook priced £9.99 (unless you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, in which case it is free).

Amazon Kindle allows users to read ebooks purchased on Amazon.

Jimmy has said he is happy to sign copies of the book at his live shows, where they are available for a discounted price of £10.

The autobiography tells the heart-warming story of his 50 golden years in showbusiness – told in his own words.

Recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for half a century.

And he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  making him the perfect family entertainer.

The book is available from online retailer Amazon here.

Mary’s Meals

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Also read: Mary’s Meals: 20 years serving global communities

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

 

Sir Ken Dodd: Jimmy Cricket pays tribute at funeral in Liverpool 150 150 mhamer

Sir Ken Dodd: Jimmy Cricket pays tribute at funeral in Liverpool

Jimmy Cricket was among those to pay a special tribute to the late Sir Ken Dodd at the legendary comedian’s funeral.

The Northern Irish entertainer joined other stars like actors Ricky Tomlinson, Stephanie Cole and Miriam Margolyes, and fellow comics Jimmy Tarbuck and Stan Boardman at the service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Wednesday.

Sir Ken died at the age of 90 earlier this month.

Jimmy said he was “one of the most original, innovative and gifted comedians we’ll ever see”.

“Comedians like Ken only come once in a lifetime – we thank God today that he came in ours,” he told a packed congregation.

“He had time for everybody. He said we were all walking miracles, every one of us and we all had stories to tell.”

Fellow comedian Jimmy Cricket has been paying tribute to Sir Ken Dodd at his funeral.

BBC News

Members of the public lined the route taken by Sir Ken’s funeral cortege from his Knotty Ash home to the cathedral in his home city. Some of them sang his 1964 song Happiness as the horse-drawn hearse passed.

Tickling sticks were also placed around Liverpool in tribute to the famous entertainer who was loved by millions and whose shows would nearly always overrun, sometimes by hours.

The BBC called Sir Ken Dodd a comedy legend

The BBC called Sir Ken Dodd a comedy legend when it reported his death

Jimmy Cricket remembers comedy pals Sir Ken Dodd & Jim Bowen 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket remembers comedy pals Sir Ken Dodd & Jim Bowen

Rochdale Council's photo of Sir Ken Dodd and Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket has been remembering comedy friends Jim Bowen and Sir Ken Dodd, who died within a few days of each other.

Liverpool legend Sir Ken, creator of the Diddy Men, passed away last weekend aged 90, having recently been released from hospital after six weeks of treatment for a chest infection.

And broadcaster and comedian Jim, best known for hosting darts-based game show Bullseye in the 1980s and ’90s, died on Wednesday at the age of 80.

Belfast-born and Rochdale-based Jimmy posted a video on Twitter in which he pays a special tribute to Sir Ken (below).

And Rochdale Council also tweeted the photo at the top of this article, saying: “Farewell to a legend – here’s comedy star Sir Ken Dodd with his good friend and Rochdale resident during a town hall dinner to celebrate Jimmy receiving a Papal knighthood in 2015. RIP and thanks for the laughs.”

Jimmy Cricket talking about Sir Ken Dodd

The Universe, the weekly Catholic newspaper, featured a photograph of Sir Ken on its front page (below), saying: “Catholic comedian leads tribute to legendary funnyman.”

And the Rochdale Observer also reported on Jimmy paying tribute to Sir Ken. The story recalled the tale of the stolen concrete wellies – read more about that here.

Read more about Sir Ken.

Jimmy Cricket talks about Sir Ken Dodd in the Catholic newspaper, The Universe

Former deputy headmaster Jim, who lived in North Lancashire, began his career as a stand-up comedian on the club circuit in the 1960s. He became a household name when he began presenting Bullseye in 1981. The Sunday tea time show ran for 14 years.

Jimmy tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of another legendary comic and game show host, my friend Jim Bowen, another ⭐️ star in heaven!”

Click here to watch Jimmy’s appearance on Bullseye.

Sir Ken Dodd: Jimmy Cricket pays tribute 150 150 mhamer

Sir Ken Dodd: Jimmy Cricket pays tribute

The BBC called Sir Ken Dodd a comedy legend

The BBC described Sir Ken as “one of the most popular comedians of his time”

Jimmy Cricket paid tribute to his close friend and fellow comedian Sir Ken Dodd who has died aged 90.

Liverpool legend Sir Ken, creator of the Diddy Men, had recently been released from hospital after six weeks of treatment for a chest infection.

Only days before his death – announced this morning (Monday) – he married Anne Jones, his partner of 40 years, at their house in the Liverpool suburb of Knotty Ash.

‘Comforted’

Said Jimmy: “Sir Ken Dodd was not only our greatest ever stand-up comedian but a genuinely nice man.”

Replying to the tribute, which Jimmy posted on his Twitter account, entertainer Bernie Clifton said: “A World without Ken Dodd is a poorer, darker place. What a Man, I’ve lost a good friend. RIP Sir.”

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said a book of condolence would open later on Monday.

He tweeted: “We are comforted by the joy and happiness he brought the world.”

Actress and fellow Liverpudlian Claire Sweeney posted her own tribute on Twitter (below) and included photos from Sir Ken’s 90th birthday party in the city.

Fellow Liverpudlian and actress Claire Sweeney shared some photos of the star's 90th birthday party on Twitter

Jimmy was among those to pay tribute to his friend and fellow entertainer Sir Ken when he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award in October.

Sir Ken received the accolade in front of a star-studded audience at the British Music Hall Society event at the Lansdowne Club in central London.

He was famous for his very long stand-up shows, which sometimes lasted until the early hours of the morning, along with his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash and his tickling stick.

The son of a coal merchant, Sir Ken had been a comedian since 1954 and made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

He was famous for his very long stand-up shows, along with his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash and his tickling stick.

Signature song

The son of a coal merchant, Sir Ken had been a comedian since 1954 and made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer.

He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40.

His version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

He was famous for his very long stand-up shows, which sometimes lasted until the early hours of the morning, along with his Diddy Men from Knotty Ash and his tickling stick.

The son of a coal merchant, Sir Ken had been a comedian since 1954 and made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer. He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40, and his version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

‘Absolutely amazing’

His recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965, becoming the biggest hit single in Britain that year and selling more than a million copies in the UK alone, where it was the third best selling song of the 1960s and is the 39th top selling single of all time.

His recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965, becoming the biggest hit single in Britain that year and selling more than a million copies in the UK alone, where it was the third best selling song of the 1960s and is the 39th top selling single of all time.

Sir Ken was also a ventriloquist and an established singer. He had many recording hits, charting on 18 occasions in the UK Top 40, and his version of Bill Anderson’s Happiness, which reached 31 in the charts in 1964, became his signature song.

His recording of Tears topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in 1965, becoming the biggest hit single in Britain that year and selling more than a million copies in the UK alone, where it was the third best selling song of the 1960s and is the 39th top selling single of all time.

His publicist Robert Holmes said: “To my mind, he was one of the last music hall greats. He passed away in the home that he was born in over 90 years ago. He’s never lived anywhere else. It’s absolutely amazing.”

Wishing Sir Ken Dodd a happy 90th on Twitter! 150 150 mhamer

Wishing Sir Ken Dodd a happy 90th on Twitter!

Jimmy Cricket wished Sir Ken Dodd a happy 90th birthday on TwitterJimmy Cricket used social media to wish his great friend Sir Ken Dodd a happy 90th birthday!

The Northern Irish entertainer posted the following message on Twitter on 8 November:  “A very happy 90th Birthday to the Squire of knotty Ash himself. Sir Kenneth Dodd. I hope his day is filled with Tattifilariousness and plumpiousness!”

Sir Ken is an English comedian, singer-songwriter and actor, particularly famous for his red, white and blue “tickling stick” and his upbeat greeting of “how tickled I am!”.  He also created the Diddymen characters from Knotty Ash on Merseyside, where he is a local resident.

Jimmy, 72, was also among those to pay tribute to Sir Ken when he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award in front of a star-studded audience at the British Music Hall Society event at the Lansdowne Club in central London recently.

Wall of fame features Jimmy & others 150 150 mhamer

Wall of fame features Jimmy & others

Wall of fame includes Ken Dodd and Jimmy CricketA wall of fame photograph put on Facebook includes legendary entertainers such as Ken Dodd, Victoria Wood, Jimmy Cricket and George Formby.

The star-studded montage (right) of famous faces and celebrity autographs has been assembled over the years by Amy Phillips.

Jimmy said : “Amy is clearly a keen collector of autographs and the ones she has accumulated are proudly presented in a mounted display on the wall of one of her rooms.”

Alongside Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy on the wall of fame is actor, Peter Sallis who played Norman Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine, English comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and director Victoria Wood, British comedian, actor and television presenter Joe Pasquale and George FormbyOBE, who was a British actor, singer-songwriter and comedian.

George Formby was a major star of stage and screen in the 1930s and ’40s and his songs such as When I’m Cleaning Windows were particularly popular during the Second World War (1939–45).

Jimmy added: “Amy posted this picture on her Facebook page and I  am thrilled to keep such celebrated company on her wall!”