TRIBUTES have been paid to a comedian who lived in Chester and shot to TV stardom in the 1970s after performing in the city.

Ken Goodwin, 78, passed away peacefully last month in Coed Isaf Nursing Home, Rhos-on-Sea, following a long illness.

It was when Ken was performing at a Chester club in 1971 that he was talent spotted by TV producer Johnnie Hamp, who invited him to appear in the first series of 1970s TV hit The Comedians.

Ken frequently appeared on the show with fellow comedian Frank Carson who died last Wednesday.

John Locke, co-owner of Chester’s Laugh Inn comedy club, said Ken was part of a fine generation of comedians in the area.

He said: “It’s a sad loss, he was an incredible talent at the time of Russ Abbott and Frank Carson.

“He was a part of TV history – I worked on a Granada documentary a few years back and saw a hell of a lot of Ken’s material during that time. The Comedians was a massively popular programme, made when Granada was one of the main TV companies.

“Ken was a very gentle comic who had impeccable timing and great gags.”

Ken and his wife Vicky retired to Llandudno several years ago, and lived at Llanrhos.

His best friend and manager Clive Stock, also of Llanrhos, said he would be sadly missed.

“He was a lovely person and a very good friend. He was an all-round entertainer whose jokes were always clean, and he could also play the ukulele and sing with the best of them,” he said.

His wife Vicky said: “That (appearing on The Comedians) was his big break and led to him appearing at Royal Command Performances in 1971 and 1972 which he was immensely proud about.

“He also achieved an ambition by topping the bill at the London Palladium.”

Ken’s funeral is tomorrow (Friday) at St Hilary’s Church, Llanrhos, at 12.15pm. Floral tributes will be welcomed or donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Research.