Doddy Day goes online to spread a little happiness

This weekend’s Doddy Day is set to move online due to the new Covid lockdown.

The first annual day in memory of Sir Ken Dodd was due to have featured a special Happiness Show for a socially distanced audience at Royal Court Liverpool.

But with theatres having to close their doors for a month, organisers have arranged a special series of videos to watch instead, with famous faces sharing their own personal memories of Doddy who died in 2018.

They include Ricky Tomlinson, Miriam Margolyes Tim Vine, Harry Hill, Lee Mack, Stephanie Cole, Stephen K Amos and Nichola McAuliffe who will also share some jokes.

There will also be gags from Doddy Day joke competition finalists, while chefs Dave Assall from Liverpool’s Royal Court and James Behan from the Museum of Liverpool will be going head-to-head in the Jam Butty Cake Bake Off judged by Lady Dodd and Ready, Steady, Cook chef Ellis Barrie.

Saturday’s online show will be hosted by Les Dennis and Sam Avery from The Comedy Trust.

Doddy Day is a collaboration between The Comedy Trust, National Museums Liverpool, the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, Knotty Ash Productions and Liverpool’s Royal Court to create a celebration of one of Liverpool’s most famous sons.

Sir Ken would have celebrated his 93rd birthday this Sunday.

Anne, Lady Dodd, said: “I was so thrilled when Doddy Day was announced in March, we couldn’t have predicted what was going to happen, but the show will go on.

“We want everyone to join in the fun at home and visit the Doddy Day website to watch The Happiness Show online.

“Ken was always the optimist and believed in the power of humour. And it’s never been more important than at this time to bring people together with laughter.”

Doddy Day is on Saturday, November 7. Videos will be uploaded at 2pm on the website HERE