Councillor calls for new estate to be named after Sir Ken Dodd

A councillor has written to a housing developer to request that a number of roads on a new estate in Knotty Ash be named in honour of comedian Sir Ken Dodd.

Harry Doyle, who represents the Knotty Ash and Dovecot Park ward on Liverpool City Council, said Knotty Ash was "synonymous with Sir Ken Dodd" and is backing calls for a "lasting legacy" in the comic's hometown.

Sir Ken's close friend John Martin has launched a petition requesting that the council considers honouring him in this way.

Doyle told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Ken Dodd is part of the fabric of the community in Knotty Ash."

Sir Ken, who died aged 90 in 2018, lived in Knotty Ash and would often reference his birthplace in his routines.

Doyle said suitable road names could include Sir Ken Dodd Avenue and Diddymen Road. He said he would also like to see the portmanteau 'tattyfilarious' considered, which was used by Sir Ken to describe his comedy style, a blend of tatty and hilarious.

He said he had written to the developer of a new estate in Knotty Ash to suggest naming several roads after Sir Ken.

"It opens up the opportunity to have a whole estate named after him," he added.

Doyle, who is also the council's cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture, said when he told people from across the country that he was the councillor for Knotty Ash they would ask him if it was actually a real place.

They would then talk to him about their memories of Sir Ken, including "the Diddymen" and "jam butty mines," he added.

He said Sir Ken's old school on Thomas Lane, which was closed in 2018, was brought back to life as a community asset by Lady Anne Dodd and the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation.

"They do so much in the community and it does mean a lot," he said.

Doyle said he remembered the torch relay for the Olympics coming down East Prescot Road in 2012: "I walked out my house and there's Ken Dodd just chatting to people and getting photos.

"He was very much loved by the community here," he added.

John Martin, a comedian from Bootle, who was a close friend of Sir Ken for more than 30 years, said he would like to see a road renamed, a statue in Knotty Ash or his name on signs welcoming people to the Liverpool suburb.

Liverpool City Council said they welcomed naming suggestions but would normally only give consideration to the names of new roads.

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