Comic legend and Happiness singer Sir Ken Dodd died four years ago today (March 11).
The star, who died aged 90 on March 11, 2018, was one of the UK’s most beloved entertainers, actors and comedians, known for his long running stand-up shows.
One such show even broke a world record, when in 1974, he gained the Guinness World Record for a marathon stand up show lasting three hours, 30 minutes and six seconds at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.
His death in 2018 led to an outpouring of tributes from friends and fellow stars of the entertainment world, who fondly remembered the humorous and generous star.
However, Sir Ken’s kindness has continued to be felt long after his death after he left a huge fortune in his will to local services and charities.
£27.7 million fortune
(Image: Getty Images)
Following Sir Ken Dodd’s death, it was revealed that the comedy legend had left an estimated £27.2 million in his will, to his wife Lady Ann Dodd.
However, it was Ken’s wish that his fortune was to be used to give back to local services and communities in Liverpool.
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, Lady Ann Dodd said: “Ken loved to make people laugh – it was his life, not just a job.
“He had no desire for the trappings of wealth and it was his wish that the majority of his estate will go to charities close to his heart, many of them local.
(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
“As his wife, beneficiary of his estate, and also knowing the contents of the will he made some years ago, I will be able to honour his wishes.”
At the time of his death, Lady Ann revealed that plans were already in place for money from Sir Ken’s estate to be donated to services such local theatre projects, hospitals and to refurbish a church hall in his hometown of Knotty Ash, Liverpool.
Lady Ann also explained that she would continue the work of the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, for which she is a trustee.
Acts of kindness and charity donations
(Image: Getty Images)
A wide variety of services and charities have benefited from the huge fortune that Sir Ken Dodd left in his will, including The Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where the star was treated before he died.
He was also a patron of Clatterbridge Hospital, and supported a number of health related charities, with Lady Ann Dodd telling Daily Mail: “Ken was also a great supporter of our hospitals, and the Foundation will look to help them, as well as various health charities.
“He was always full of praise for the NHS – not least Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where he was treated shortly before he died – and Clatterbridge Hospital, of which he was a patron.”
Clatterbridge Hospital looked after Sir Ken’s previous fiancée who was treated there for a brain tumour, with the hospital reported to have received around £10 million of Sir Ken’s fortune, according to Daily Express.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
In a biography of the comedian, written by Lady Ann and called The Squire of Knotty Ash and his Lady, she told of his bucket list of wishes, which included ensuring that there was a radio and TV in every room in the hospital.
In the book, Lady Ann says: “He got involved with Clatterbridge because his previous fiancee had been treated there, and he did a lot for Cancer Research and Macmillan.
“I said what’s on your bucket list and they said a radio and television in every room and so he’s done that, I’m very pleased with that.
“If he was asked to do something, his answer would be ‘if i’m free I’ll do it’.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Sometimes I’d say ‘you’re in your 80s now, it would be easier to give money’ and he said no you need to give your time and you’re only doing it if you’re giving yourself and your time, he said that’s much more precious.”
Other charities reported to have benefitted from the fortune that Sir Ken left in his will including The Shakespeare North Project in Prescot, which aims to bring Shakespearean Theatre back into the local area.
As well as being a comedian, Sir Ken was an actor, and even played Yorick in Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 film of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Lady Ann also added that the late comedian thought the project was “wonderful.”
Hometown gift
(Image: Getty Images)
Sir Ken Dodd lived in his hometown of Knotty Ash his entire life, and following his death, his fortune was used to help support services in the local area.
It is reported that a “substantial sum” was donated to help redevelop the church hall in St John Evangelist Church in Knotty Ash, which was only a few yards away from Sir Ken’s home.
The hall originally served as a community school from 1837 to the 1950s, before becoming a hall for local residents to use for activities.
The 184 year old church hall was later renovated and redeveloped thanks to to the kindness of Sir Ken Dodd and Lady Ann Dodd, with The Earl and Countess of Wessex opening the venue on March 10, 2022.
The church’s website says: “Thanks to the kindness and generosity of The Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation and Lady Anne the hall has been saved.
“As Anne has said Ken would have loved the transformation and preservation of his old school.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
