Forces Favourite Comedy Legend Sir Ken Dodd Dies Aged 90

Picture: Sir Ken Dodd at the national television awards 2017 (Image: PA) 

Sir Ken Dodd, the legendary comedian whose career stretched across seven decades, has died at the age of 90.

Best known for his famously long standup shows, "tickling stick" and Diddy Men, the star has been described as a "legend" and an "inspiration".

For decades Sir Ken toured British bases around the world with Combined Services Entertainment, now known as CSE Forces Live Events, and said he was treated royally wherever he went.

The Liverpool comedian left hospital on February 27 at the end of a six-week stay for a chest infection.

On Friday he married his partner of 40 years, Anne Jones, who was at his bedside when he died. 

Watch: Ken Dodd "I was privileged to perform to soldiers"

Sir Ken, known for his unruly hair and teeth, performed his very last show just months ago, at The Auditorium in the Liverpool Echo Arena, in his native city, on December 28.

But all 2018 dates had to be cancelled due to his illness and subsequent hospital stay.

As news broke of his death in the early hours of Monday morning, fellow comedians and television stars paid tribute to Sir Ken.

Comic Gary Delaney called him "one of the all time greats" and referencing the fact Sir Ken's shows could often last for hours on end, saying:

"The funeral will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday."

Other tributes came from actor John Challis, who played Boycie in comedy television series Only Fools and Horses, described him as a "true son of beautiful Liverpool".

Irish comedian Dara O Briain, known for hosting panel shows such as Mock the Week, remembered seeing him at 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."

Sir Ken died in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, at the same house in which he was born in 1927.

Julian Richings, who has appeared in films such as X-Men: The Last Stand, described him as a "music hall great, entertainment legend, Liverpool pride", adding: "The lights are out in Knotty Ash."

Fans also paid their own tributes, and many of Sir Ken's infamous jokes were shared on Twitter.

One fan wrote: "Appropriate that this should be announced at about 1:15am as this is the sort of time his shows finished. What a legend, happiness was your greatest gift to us."