I want to help victims of depression, says Sir Ken Dodd: Comedian wants 'to give something back' now he has received his knighthood

  • Sir Ken Dodd received his knighthood after 89 years and now wants to give back 
  • The comedian got his gong for services to entertainment and charity
  • But now Sir Ken wants to help people with depression, saying 'I want to help people who are not enjoying life, I've had such a wonderful life'

By Tim Lamden Showbusiness Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:13 EST, 26 January 2017 | Updated: 20:53 EST, 26 January 2017

It took him 89 years to get a knighthood and now Sir Ken Dodd wants to put it to good use.

The comedian has revealed he wants to ‘give something back’ after his honour by helping people with depression.

Sir Ken Dodd (above at the National Television Awards) said he wants to 'give something back' after receiving his knighthood

Reflecting on the knighthood after presenting an award at the National Television Awards on Wednesday, Sir Ken said: ‘Now I’d like to help people who need help. I’d like to help people who are depressed.

‘It’s a symptom as you get older. When you’re past a certain age, it kicks in. I want to help people who are not enjoying life, I’ve had such a wonderful life.

‘In the journey of life you come across a lot of road bumps and you’ve just got to get over them if you can.’

Sir Ken, who turns 90 in November, said he had never suffered from depression personally but had been touched by letters from fans telling him how his comedy had helped them with their problems.

‘I get lots of people writing to me about how they’ve overcome problems and how I may have helped them by making them laugh,’ he said.

The comedian (pictured above with Bradley Walsh) said 'I want to feel as though I've put something back into life'

‘After this knighthood, I thought, “I ought to give something back”. I’d like to feel that I was useful.

‘I don’t want people just to say, “He’s an entertainer”. I want to feel as though I’ve put something back into life.’

Sir Ken recently revealed he has to occasionally rely on notes during performances because of his fading memory - but has no plans to retire

News of Sir Ken’s knighthood in the New Year’s Honours came just months after the comedian - known for his wild hair, protruding teeth and tickling sticks - joked about how he spent years waiting for a letter that never came.

He previously suggested he had been repeatedly overlooked after being charged with tax evasion in 1989, despite being acquitted after a three-week trial.

Sir Ken, who grew up in Liverpool as the son of a coal merchant, was handed the honour for services to entertainment and charity and said that he would keep fundraising.

Despite recently acknowledging that his fading memory means he occasionally has to rely on notes during his famously lengthy performances, the star said he has no plans to retire.

Last year, he completed a 39-date tour which saw him sell out some of the largest theatres in the country.

On Sunday, he starts a new 17-date tour at Parr Hall in Warrington, Cheshire. 

 

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