This Arena documentary tries to get inside Ken Dodd but I found the subject was a little too guarded and also shrewd to make sure he gave only a little of himself away.
Ken Dodd started out in 1954 and even now nearing the age of 90 he is still playing to packed houses. Some decades ago he vowed to play every theatre in Britain no matter how large or small.
You get to know a little of Dodd's early life, some information about his family and his early days in showbusiness and his thoughts of showbiz today. Somewhere along the line he also managed to have few pop hits. Apart from that I felt this was very much a filler programme. Clips from old shows and Dodd visiting various theatres in Britain and popping up here and there in Liverpool.
Is Dodd happy? He sure is. Found not guilty for tax evasion in 1989, it was revealed that he had over £300,000 stashed in suitcases and shoeboxes in his house.
Those Diddymen in his show. They were kids from the local stage school. They were never paid. Dodd certainly knows how to keep hold of his money.
If there are other sides to Ken Dodd, I think I would just like to know the funnyman because I think a lot of us may not like the real Ken Dodd.