SIR Ken Dodd’s widow has revealed that the comic was proud of his record-breaking run at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre, and often heard from Sunbeams he worked with over 60 years ago.

Ken starred in 1958/59 pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk, the theatre’s longest ever panto run, and over the years he brought his comedy shows to Bradford, where he had many fans. He did a five-hour show at the Alhambra a few months before his death in 2018, aged 90.

Lady Anne Dodd said: “Ken was so proud of his record at the glorious Alhambra Theatre. He used to hear regularly from ex-Sunbeams from so many years ago, one in particular kindly still send me messages when she reminisces about those happy days.”

A new biography of the comic, written by Bafta-winning comedy scriptwriter Tony Nicholson with Lade Anne, presents an in-depth account of Ken’s life and seven-decade career, and reveals the private man behind the zany comic.

The book explores why the veteran entertainer liked to separate the “two Ken Dodds”.

“Ken used to recall that Arthur Askey, one of his heroes as a child, told him ‘When you go through your front door Doddy, close it and keep it private, it’s your sanctuary’. He was always so amenable when out and about, totally approachable to the public in the street, shops and theatres and never refused an autograph or a few words,” said Lady Anne. “He just lived to perform. In the book we do go into health problems he had but he put them out of his mind when he went on stage; in my opinion it was vital for his wellbeing to perform to an audience.He used to say ‘I don’t do a show AT an audience I do a show WITH an audience - we’re a double act! He loved to try out new gags at every show, if it worked well he was happy.”

“Ken was approached several times to write his autobiography; he said he would write it, but not whilst he was busy still doing shows. I’ve come across notes reminding himself of incidents to describe; he was definitely thinking about writing what he called a ‘Happy Book’.”

Lady Anne met Ken in the early 1960s when she was a dancer with the Bluebell Girls. Their relationship lasted 56 years, eventually leading to marriage shortly before Ken died. They shared Ken’s childhood home in Knotty Ash, Merseyside.

“This was always his home, I’ve been here over 40 years and have no wish to leave,” said Lady Anne. “I am surrounded by a vast amount of memorabilia. I talk to him every day!

l The Squire of Knotty Ash...and his Lady is published by Great Northern Books, £17.99. It is available at gnbooks.co.uk or on (01274) 735056.