Sir Ken Dodd’s wife Anne Jones pays touching tribute to ‘the most life-enhancing comedian’

Emma Powell12 March 2018
The Weekender

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Sir Ken Dodd’s wife Anne Jones has paid a touching tribute to her late husband, hailing him a “life-enhancing comedian” who “lived to entertain”.

Sir Ken died aged 90 on Sunday, weeks after being discharged from hospital where he was battling a chest infection.

Jones – who married Sir Ken two days before he died – said she has been “overwhelmed” by the support she has received.

Speaking outside the house they shared in Knotty Ash, Merseyside she said: “I’ve had the supreme joy and privilege of working and living with him as partner for the past 40 years. The world has lost the most life enhancing brilliant creative comedian with an operatically trained voice who just wanted to make people happy.”

She continued: “He lived to perfect his art and entertain his live and adoring audiences.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the love and affection which I have already received from dear friends and the public. I thank you all.”

Ken Dodd - In pictures

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News of his death sparked an outpouring of tributes from comedy stars including Dara O’Briain who described Sir Ken as “an education to watch”.

He tweeted: “Ah, Ken Dodd has died. So happy I got to meet him once, and more importantly, saw him do one of his incredible 5 hour shows. He was an education to watch and, afterwards, at 1.30 am, he had beers with me in the dressing room and talked showbiz. A privilege, and a loss. RIP.”

David Walliams claimed Dodd had a “face made for comedy” while fellow Liverpudlian Claire Sweeney described him as a “legend and an inspiration”.

Sir Ken was famous for his tickle stick, belly-laugh inducing one liners and his DiddyMen.

The legendary entertainer dominated comedy in a career spanning six decades, which also saw him knighted and receive a Guinness World Record for the longest ever joke telling session.

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