The Alhambra's magical Aladdin panto may be the talk of the town at the moment.

But Bradford's St George's Hall struck back last night when one of its favourite sons returned to weave some comedy magic of his own.

Minutes before going on stage, comic legend Ken Dodd took a break from fluffing up his tickling sticks to tell the Telegraph & Argus how good it was to be back in Bradford.

"How absolutely, totally fizzyphilarious it is to be in Bradford. I feel completely Wenceslassed to be here once again in this beautiful city.

"I've had a lot of happy times here. I've been coming long enough, so I should have.

"I first came here in 1955 and, of course, I've been coming back ever since - whether they wanted me to or not!"

The star, famous for his marathon stints on stage, kept last night's show "short" by Doddy standards, at just over three and a half hours.

His final rendition of Happiness came at 11.02 pm.

Bradford clearly holds a special place in the comedian's affections and he still fondly remembers the time when he broke box office records at the Alhambra.

He said: "I'm very proud of the fact that we still hold the record for the most seats sold when we did panto here in 1959.

"Our run started in December and we were giving out Easter eggs when we stopped.

"I love Yorkshire, and although I'm from the other side of the hills I think my heart is in Yorkshire now.

"I think it's the people that I like here. Yorkshire people have a great sense of humour. We understand each other."

Dressed in a Santa Claus outfit and applying a thick layer of suntan make-up, the 69-year-old comic is still brimming with energy and enthusiasm for showbusiness.

So what, after all these years, still motivates him to get up on stage every night?

He grinned: "I'm just totally star-struck. I'm an entertainer and it's a wonderful, wonderful, business to be in.

"Where else can you spend your time surrounded by people laughing? People keep asking why I don't retire. But I say when people retire they stop doing what they don't want to do and start doing what they want to do. But I'm already doing what I want to do, so why should I stop?

"I can't think of anything I would rather be doing."

And with a tatifalarious grin, the Knotty Ash comic shoots off for another marathon session of mirth.