Doddy U-turn

July 2009


KEN Dodd will be bringing his Christmas Happiness to Nottingham after all.
The U-turn comes just six weeks after the Post revealed how management at the Royal Concert Hall had refused to rebook his annual performance, concerned about the quality of his comedy.
The 81-year-old will now make an appearance on Wednesday December 30.
But both parties are remaining tight-lipped about the turnaround.
In a statement, the venue's managing director Robert Sanderson said: "I am pleased to welcome Ken Dodd and all his fans in Nottingham back to the Royal Concert Hall this Christmas. I look forward to this show being a sell-out success."
He refused to comment further on why he had changed his mind.
The comedian would only say: "I am delighted to be bringing my show to the Royal Concert Hall again. I have a great affection for Nottingham audiences and look forward to a celebration of plumpshus fun, laughter and song – a Merry Ticklemas!"
His spokesman Robert Holmes told the Post: "That's all Ken wants to say at the moment."
The comic had pledged never to play the city again until he had received a public apology from Mr Sanderson.
Last month he said: "I am distressed and angry that anybody should imply that I have lost it."
The story received nationwide attention.
"I had GM:TV and News At Ten wanting Ken to talk about it but it's not his style," said Mr Holmes.
"He's just pleased to be playing in the city where his career started 55 years ago."
That was at the Empire Theatre on the site now occupied by the Royal Concert Hall.
Dodd has appeared there virtually every year since and despite selling out the venue last year, Dodd was refused a return booking.
"A significant number of audience members left before the end, raising concerns to our manager on the night as to the quality of some of the performances within the show," said Mr Sanderson.
"The management team therefore took the difficult decision to give this long-running and much-loved show a break during 2009."
Local radio presenter Alex Belfield, who brought the story to the attention of the Post after interviewing Dodd, said: "Today is a great day for Nottingham."
He believed that the show would once again sell out.
"If he doesn't I'll strip naked and run in front of a tram from Hucknall to the Old Market Square."

Tickets went on sale today priced at £18.50, £16.50 and £15.50. They are available from the venue and by calling 0115 989 5555.