John Martin wants to honour his friend Ken Dodd ahead of what would have been the comedian’s 100th birthday but others aren’t so sure
Legendary Liverpudlian comedian Sir Ken Dodd was a star of stage and screen for more than 70 years(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
People are divided on how comedy legend Sir Ken Dodd should be honoured ahead of his 100th birthday next year. John Martin, from Bootle, spoke to the ECHO about his mission to have a permanent memorial in the area where the much-loved entertainer lived all his life as a “fitting tribute”.
Ken was born in Knotty Ash and lived at his family home on Thomas Lane for much of his life. He died in 2018, aged 90, with complications from a chest infection and bronchitis, following a six-week hospital stay. He had married Anne Jones, his partner of 40 years, just two days prior to his passing.
John, also a comedian and a friend of Ken’s, said: “Ken’s been gone eight years. He is one of the greatest Scousers to live, and there’s so much love for him. The tribute should be somewhere that meant something to Ken. He lived at 76 Thomas Lane all his life. If we could have something there, or somewhere in that area, that would mean a lot.
“Everyone knows Knotty Ash because of Ken Dodd. I travel all over the world with my job, and people ask me, ‘Is Knotty Ash a real place?’ They’ve heard of it because of Ken.
“I’d love to see the Knotty Ash signs changed to say something like, ‘Welcome to Knotty Ash – home of Sir Ken Dodd and the Diddy Men’.”
John, who has worked as a comedian for around four decades, first met Ken through the comedy circuit and said the older performer quickly took him under his wing. You can read all about the pair’s friendship and how Ken gave John an impromptu masterclass in comedy at his Thomas Lane home here.
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After the ECHO shared John’s campaign, many readers were left undecided if this was the right way to go about a tribute. Marie Studley said: “What a lovely idea l lived not far from there often saw Doddy at the shops his favourite was cake shop always came out with a box of cakes.”
Whereas Barbara Sephton added: “Hope you Succeed I Loved Ken Dodd. When I was youngster used to see him going up our street to Chessies Pub. He was just starting out then.”
Marie said: “Good idea, but think of the traffic problems as visitors take photos as they do in Penny Lane.” Mark Judge said: “No thanks. Just wait for a new road to be created in the area, and name that after him.”
Danny Carroll responded: “Wouldn’t it make more sense to name a new road after him. Be a pain in the nuts for residents changing all their paperwork.”
Patrick Martin commented: “Keep name , just add home of Sir Ken Dodd, true legend”, and Stuart Schelly added: “Mmmm it’s always been Thomas Lane, but why not a statue down there. He really deserves it. My dad knew Ken when my dad was younger.”
Karen Boden said: “What a lovely tribute. I worked a lot with Ken he was so lovely, I used to walk his poodle with him.”
