A memorial service for Sir Ken Dodd will take place at Liverpool Cathedral today (Wednesday, March 28).

Doddy, who died aged 90 earlier this month, will be remembered by stars of stage and screen as well as many members of the public at the service which is due to begin at 1pm.

Our colleagues at the Liverpool ECHO will be providing updates throughout the day.

Our recap on a very moving day - as Liverpool said goodbye to Sir Ken Dodd

Our updates service is now concluding but here’s our recap from a very emotional day:

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Who are the Diddymen?

As Sir Ken Dodd was laid to rest today, many people have been asking who the Diddymen, who frequently appeared with the comedian on stage and television, are.

They were actually invented by Liverpool music hall comedian Arthur Askey before later being popularised by Dodd - who expanded the characters and the role in the everyday life of Knotty Ash, where they worked in the famed Jam Butty Mines.

Read all about them here.

Ken Dodd in the Diddy Village for his BBC children's show in 1968
Ken Dodd in the Diddy Village for his BBC children's show in 1968 (Image: Daily Mirror)
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Video shows the emotion of a very poignant day

For anyone who missed it earlier, here’s our video which shows just how much Sir Ken Dodd will be missed:

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Our full report on how Liverpool said goodbye to a legend

Thousands of people flocked to Liverpool Cathedral on Wednesday as Sir Ken Dodd was laid to rest.

Here is our full report on the tributes paid to the comedy legend.

The coffin is carried in during the funeral service of Sir Ken Dodd at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
The coffin is carried in during the funeral service of Sir Ken Dodd at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
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Ken Dodd's superfan says his final goodbye to the legendary comedian

Samuel Ball made a 100-mile journey to be at the Liverpool comic’s funeral.

The 28-year-old, up in Merseyside from his home in Stoke, got up at 6am to get ready for the Knotty Ash funnyman’s last farewell.

He pays tribute to Sir Ken Dodd here.

Samuel travelled from Stoke after hearing the news of Sir Ken Dodd's death
Samuel travelled from Stoke after hearing the news of Sir Ken Dodd's death (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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11 pictures that show how Liverpool paid its respects to Sir Ken Dodd

These photos from the day sum up best how the people of Liverpool turned out to pay their respects to the comedy legend.

See the collection of photos here.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Crowds gather to watch Sir Ken Dodd's funeral as it is televised on a large screen outside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Crowds gather to watch Sir Ken Dodd's funeral as it is televised on a large screen outside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (Photo by (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
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Sunshine after the rain

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A funeral fit for a king

ECHO writer Paddy Shennan, who joined mourners at Liverpool Cathedral today, says Sir Ken Dodd’s funeral was a send-off “fit for a king”.

An army of devoted fans and admirers made sure they were there for Doddy’s final curtain call, joining family and friends at one of his favourite venues of all.


Paddy writes: “You could then almost sense the great man looking down and saying: “What a wonderful day, and what a wonderful and kind tribute – thank you all so, so much!”

Tickling sticks in place ahead of the funeral service of Sir Ken Dodd at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
Tickling sticks in place ahead of the funeral service of Sir Ken Dodd at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
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Diddymen farewell

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Doddy's old primary school says goodbye

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A fitting send off"

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Doddy "brought joy"

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Diddymen say goodbye

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How Liverpool said farewell to comedy legend Sir Ken Dodd - in videos

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Liverpool to pay tribute to Sir Ken Dodd at the legendary comedian’s funeral.
See all our videos which show how the city said goodbye to the legend here.

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Tickling stick tributes

A poignant image showing how Sir Ken Dodd was remembered today with tickling sticks around the city

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Claire Sweeney's touching tribute to Doddy

Claire Sweeney paid a touching tribute to Ken Dodd as she arrived at Liverpool Cathedral for the comedian’s funeral today.

The former Brookside actress, 46, flew in from Aberdeen this morning so she could attend the ceremony - which will see hundreds of people lining the streets to pay their respects.

Actress Claire Sweeney arrives at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for the funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd
Actress Claire Sweeney arrives at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for the funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd
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Remembering Sir Ken Dodd's best jokes

Sir Ken Dodd was never short of a quip or joke for any occasion - and many of his best were remembered today.

We’ve gathered together a selection of some of the Squire of Knotty Ash ‘s best quotes, gags and one-lines for you to enjoy.

“If I get a hard audience they are not going to get away until they laugh. Those seven laughs a minute -- Ive got to have them.”

Hundreds of people line the roads for funeral procession for the late comedian Sir Ken Dodd, who died aged 90, as makes its way through the boroughs of his beloved city before concluding at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Photo by James Maloney
Hundreds of people line the roads for funeral procession for the late comedian Sir Ken Dodd, who died aged 90, as makes its way through the boroughs of his beloved city before concluding at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Photo by James Maloney
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Rest in peace, Sir Ken

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Tatty bye Doddy

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How Liverpool remembered Sir Ken Dodd today

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Finally the sun comes out!

After a rainy start to the day..

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Tribute from Tom O'Connor

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More applause as funeral care leaves

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Funeral was "pure Doddy"

Sir Ken Dodd was famous for his lengthy shows - and true to form, his funeral overran by around half an hour.

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Photos from the day

Here’s how Liverpool paid tribute to Sir Ken Dodd today - mourners defying the drizzle to line the streets of the city

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Sir Ken Dodd's funeral cortege arrives at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for his funeral on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Sir Ken Dodd's funeral cortege arrives at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for his funeral on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Crowds begin to gather outside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for the funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Crowds begin to gather outside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for the funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Hundreds of people line the roads for funeral procession for the late comedian Sir Ken Dodd, who died aged 90, as makes its way through the boroughs of his beloved city before concluding at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Photo by James Maloney
Hundreds of people line the roads for funeral procession for the late comedian Sir Ken Dodd, who died aged 90, as makes its way through the boroughs of his beloved city before concluding at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Photo by James Maloney
A Ken Dodd's fan's dog Princess Cleopatra arrives for the funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
A Ken Dodd's fan's dog Princess Cleopatra arrives for the funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd on March 28, 2018 in Liverpool, England. British comedy legend Ken Dodd's career stretched over seven decades and was famous for his jokes and singing voice. Ken Dodd died aged 90 on March 11, 2018 at his Liverpool home, the same house where he was born. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Floral tributes outside the home of Sir Ken Dodd in Knotty Ash, ahead of his funeral at Liverpool Cathedral on Wednesday.
Floral tributes outside the home of Sir Ken Dodd in Knotty Ash, ahead of his funeral at Liverpool Cathedral on Wednesday.
Floral tributes outside the home of Sir Ken Dodd in Knotty Ash, ahead of his funeral at Liverpool Cathedral on Wednesday
Floral tributes outside the home of Sir Ken Dodd in Knotty Ash, ahead of his funeral at Liverpool Cathedral on Wednesday
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Celebrities share their Doddy memories

Lovely tributes to Sir Ken Dodd from some of the showbiz stars at Liverpool Cathedral today

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Watch the moment Ken Dodd's coffin leaves cathedral

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Happiness plays as coffin leaves cathedral

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Applause as coffin leaves the cathedral

Following a Prayer of Commendation and blessing given by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Paul Bayes, Sir Ken Dodd’s coffin is now being carried by pallbearers out of the cathedral.

The congregation is applauding the coffin as it passes and tickling sticks are being waved in a show of respect.

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Absent Friends is piped in cathedral

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