Celebrities and fans have paid tribute to one of the country's best-loved comedians, Sir Ken Dodd, who has died at the age of 90.
He passed away peacefully at his home in Liverpool just 48 hours after he married his partner of 40 years, Anne Jones.
The veteran entertainer was hailed as a "legend and an inspiration" and "one of the all-time greats", with tributes from stars including Sir Paul McCartney, David Walliams, Carol Vorderman and Dawn French.
:: Vote: Which Ken Dodd one-liner is funniest?
What a wonderful day for sticking a cucumber through your neighbour’s letter box and shouting ‘the aliens have landed!’ Tatty bye Doddy. And thanks . #doddy
— Dawn French (@Dawn_French) March 12, 2018
Shedding a few this morning… Tears … Sir Ken Dodd… master of tickling sticks, Diddy Men and tattifilarious comedy. Saying goodbye to my childhood…
https://t.co/twIs2RzGPN
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) March 12, 2018
Ken Dodd.I loved him from when I was a kid. I won 1st prize in Prestatyn Carnival 1965 dressed as a Diddy Man #Proud, outfit made from an old bike tyre and a sheet. Doddy always made me cry laughing (he came on my This is Your Life show #IFeltHonoured). RIP Doddy ..you were loved https://t.co/7THZ54i2RQ
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) March 12, 2018
The Great British Bake Off host Sandi Toksvig recalled a time when she dined out with the comedian and "laughed and laughed and tried not to drown in my soup".
#RIPKenDodd Best dinner companion I ever sat next to. Don't think I said a word. Just laughed and laughed and tried not to drown in my soup. Thank you for the genius x
— Sandi Toksvig (@sanditoksvig) March 12, 2018
Fans also paid tribute, hailing his live performances as the "funniest 5 hours of my life".
Ken Dodd what a legend went to see his show once funniest 5 hours of my life hilarious RIP KEN
— Scott Harrington (@Harringtons_Co) March 12, 2018
One called for fans to help get Sir Ken's single "Happiness" to the top of the charts.
Those who worked with him also looked back with fondness.
Sound engineer Simon Burchett recalled working with Sir Ken in the 1980s.
He wrote: "One night he said 'I'll follow you home and I'll shout jokes through your letterbox'."
Privileged to have worked with the great Ken Dodd during the 80's we did two shows a night 7.30 till 1am…
One night he said I'll follow you home and I'll shout jokes through your letterbox” – when he was still going strong as it approached midnight. #kendodd#Legend#comedypic.twitter.com/ka8eHqOA8O— Simon Burchett (@SimonBurchett) March 12, 2018
Theatres and venues who hosted Sir Ken also paid tribute, saying "it was a pleasure to welcome him to our stage".
It is with great sadness that we heard the news of Sir Ken Dodd passing away. He had a long association with Nottingham & with our venue, having made his professional debut here in 1954. He continued to be a popular hit with our audiences throughout his incredible career. pic.twitter.com/tYHtRTCQLG
— TRCH (@RoyalNottingham) March 12, 2018
Sad to hear of the passing of #KenDodd. It was a pleasure to welcome him to our stage in 2006. A true gentlemen. #OneOfTheGreats
— The Lowry (@The_Lowry) March 12, 2018
Remembering Ken Dodd performing at @crucibletheatre. We had to order taxis home for all the staff; his set finished after midnight (and nobody wanted a second less). May we all fill 90 years so well
— Samuel West (@exitthelemming) March 12, 2018
And Guinness World Records reacted to the comedian's death, posting an entry from its 1974 book showcasing a "marathon session of joke cracking" from Sir Ken at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool.
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Sky News
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