Ken Dodd: The Biography

by Stephen Griffin

This is the first complete biography of the last of the great British comedians. A new generation of fans and comedians, including Johnny Vegas, Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves, are now rediscovering Dodd's unique talents. Dodd has a huge and fiercely loyal fanbase. On the eve of his eightieth birthday, Ken Dodd is still touring the country, performing in packed venues an average of two nights a week with his legendary four-hour sets. 'I do it because that is what I do. I do it because that is what I am,' he said, when asked why he continues with this punishing schedule. Ken Dodd's career has spanned over five decades as he went from singer to actor, and presently, most famously, comedian. He is considered the last, great, music-hall-inspired variety comic, but what drives this man whose career has been tainted by hardship? Dodd still lives in his childhood home of Knotty Ash and has never married, despite having two-long term fiances. In 1989, his strange relationship to money culminated in a trial for tax evasion, and he was also famously stalked by a mystery woman. How did this feather-duster salesman become one of the most loved, though least-lauded, British comedians of all time? Stephen Griffin interviewed friends, colleagues and fellow comedians to get inside the mind of the original Diddyman.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ken Dodd was a very popular entertainer and never far from the spotlights of television and stage but the man behind the comedian is a lot more concealed. I was hoping to learn a lot more from this book and to understand the man, his less well known life and the truth behind some of the events in his life. Unfortunately a biography about such a private man is never going to fully satisfy the reader. The book is full of many stories and events that have been widely told through his career so the mysteries behind the man remain. Why did he have this obsession with money and storing several hundred thousand pounds under floorboards. Ken Dodd was very wealthy yet never spent his money, lived in the same house all his life and avoided marriage until two days before he died despite two very long engagements. The book is full of things we already knew and other stars saying how great he was. I wanted to know more about the man and what drove him to the extremes of his life.

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I thought it would be, the first chapters were full of other comedians and where they came from. Ken deserved more than this.

[Mrs Gaynor Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight to what made him an entertaining legend. Great read

[Leslie Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interiesting history of the life and work of one of the best comedians that this country has ever produced but this book is more a chronology


Of ken odds life this does him a disservice which he does not deserve in many ways a disappointed read

[Brenda Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading, bearing in mind that it's now 15 years old and some things have changed. (Well, the great man's dead, for a start!) Room for old jokes about rain clouds, but I'll say no more. Gives a good picture of a very complex man of whom I've always been a fan. I'd no idea he'd made his professional debut in Nottingham, which set me off on a lengthy trip around the Internet looking up old theatres in Nottingham to see if I'd ever been there. (Actually, no, but the Royal Concert Hall is now where it stood.The one I remember was the Olympia, Bulwell.) Of course, he was doing the amateur circuit long before this. Some uncomfortable and rather boring reading re the tax stuff, which I'm sure won't interest most people, but on the whole, a worthwhile read, especially if you're interested in comedy. The sheer energy of the man was astounding and the pleasure he gave was boundless. The world is a poorer place without him.

[Mrs. Rita W. Bantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ken Dodd, the man that loved and lived to share laughter.

Ken's biography explores and explains his success as a comedian who lived to make people laugh and enjoy sharing the happiness and joy of uncontrolled shared laughter.
Why he was a fountain of joy at every show. How he hung on to every audience he entertained and could hardly wait for his next performance. This book is the closest thing to our Ken Dodd. What a man. The friendliest entertainer we will ever know. Read why all our wishes go with him.

[Kevin McAvoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you write a biography of a VERY private individual? Griffin has put together a Ken Dodd chronicle and added lots of praise but I didn't really learn anything I didn't know from varios tv shows or magazine articles. The book stresses how very very funny Ken was but anyone who picks up the book already knows this and needs no convincing.
Basically it is a very good effort and pleasant to read but misses the mrk. At the end of the day I'm fine with NOT knowing about Kens private life and believe his legendary humor and work ethic are enough to admire the man.

[Barbara Fabricius (du Plooy) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing biography - it was full of 'according to...' and quotes from various other comedians and reporters and I don't think this author ever interviewed Sir Ken himself. In the end I was so bored with reading about what others had to say about his shows that I started to skim read. I just got bored because I think Sir Ken deserves a better biography than this.

[Noel · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting but a bit dull but not many books wrote about this very private man. you do learn about his private personality but not as funny as he actually is