Today, we lost wacky comedian Ken Dodd and I thought I would share a personal memory of him.

In late seventies, early eighties, Ken Dodd came to the Police Club at Hough End in Manchester.

He did his act, which had everyone in stitches. His jokes were always clean and so funny. At the time I didn’t think anything of it, but as time has gone on realises how unusual that was. Too many comedians need crudeness to make themselves more amusing.

As with many comedians, you don’t get up during their act to visit the ladies – as I quickly discovered.  I tried to sneak out unnoticed and he made some comment. On my returned everyone applauded. Later when he asked someone to come up on stage, he chose me. I didn’t want to but was cajoled.

He was an odd looking man, especially with those teeth, and I always thought someone who looked an acted like him, should not have such a beautiful singing voice. So it always surprised me when I heard him.

Doddy serenaded me and it was flattering, but very embarrassing! Afterwards he gave me a kiss on the cheek and all I could think of was, “Oooh, I can’t feel his teeth!”

He presented me with one of his ‘Diddy Men,’ the blue and red one on the end.

He often talked about Knotty Ash where he lived in Liverpool and for years I presumed it was a made up name because it sounded like one, but no, it is a suburb of the city. Apparently he lived in the same house he was born in. It is usual nowadays, as most people do move on.

This is me on the before going out to see Ken Dobb back in 79/80