Showtown Blackpool is deeply honoured to announce the arrival of three of Sir Ken Dodd’s iconic pieces: his famous “huury furry red moggy coat,” playful Union Jack hat and his beloved Jockey Diddyman.
These treasured items will be proudly showcased from Friday, 8th November, as part of our “I Photograph Comedians” exhibition by Andy Hollingworth.
We are incredibly thankful to Lady Dodd, for her generous loan of these special pieces. Sir Ken Dodd had an unbreakable bond with Blackpool.
Laughter Lad
Ken made his Blackpool debut in 1954 and was immediately popular.
In the summer of 1955, he shared the bill with the infamous comedy duo Morecambe & Wise. The performance took place in the famous Orchid Room on Central Pier in a show aptly named Let’s Have Fun, which perfectly captured the spirit of the seaside town’s vibrant entertainment scene.
At the time, Dodd was affectionately nicknamed the “Laughter Lad,” a title that hinted at the incredible career in comedy that lay ahead.
Blackpool, with its historic piers, vibrant shows and rich tradition of entertainment, perfectly complimented Sir Ken's extraordinary career. He performed regularly at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre and the Opera House where he would delight audiences with his marathon-length shows that often continued past midnight—a signature experience for his devoted fans!
We are thrilled to share these pieces as we celebrate what would have been Ken’s 97th birthday on the 8th November.
Ken’s own words express his affection for the town best:
“Blackpool audiences are unique—they’re warm, they laugh, and they don’t mind if you keep them till midnight!”
His love affair with Blackpool spanned six incredible decades, during which he gave an estimated 2,400 unforgettable performances, headlined ten summer seasons and graced the stages of countless Sunday shows. He also often delivered two, sometimes three, laughter-filled performances a day!
Lady Dodd said:
"I am particularly looking forward to seeing Ken's iconic moggy coat and hat displayed in the wonderful new Showtown exhibition in the place that Ken himself referred to as 'Blackpool - The Showtown of Great Britain'.
He would have loved to have seen the magnificent re-creation of Blackpool's extraordinary entertainment history, especially the depiction of so many wonderful acts with whom he worked and whose company he would have enjoyed during the seasons.”
These new object will add to Showtown’s current collection dedicated to Sir Ken Dodd, including the “It’s Showtime!: Top of the Bill” interactive exhibit and the Sir Ken Dodd section in the theatres and performance venues area, which gives visitors an even deeper appreciation for his remarkable contributions to comedy and variety entertainment along with some stunning posters from Showtown’s collections.
The objects are on public display until the 23 February 2025 as part of the Andy Hollingworth exhibition. It is then intended that Sir Ken Dodd's items will become part of Showtown's permanent exhibition.