Sir Ken Dodd dead: Legendary Liverpudlian comedian dies aged 90

Comedy legend Sir Ken Dodd has died aged 90, his publicist has announced.

The star, famous for his epic stand-up shows which could go on for hours at a time, as well as his Diddy Men and tickling stick, died just days after leaving hospital.

He married Anne Jones, his partner of 40 years, on Friday at their home in the Liverpool suburb of Knotty Ash, which was also the one he was born in.

His publicist Robert Holmes told the Press Association: "To my mind, he was one of the last music hall greats.

"He passed away in the home that he was born in over 90 years ago. He's never lived anywhere else. It's absolutely amazing.

"With Ken gone, the lights have been turned out in the world of variety. He was a comedy legend and genius."

He added: "He asked Anne if she wanted to marry. They got the registrar and were married in the house on Friday.

"He died two days later on Mother's Day. Anne is obviously very upset. They had been together for 40 years. It's a love story to beat them all."

Dodd, who was born in Liverpool on 8 November 1927, began his career in the 1950s. He made it into the Guinness Book of Records in the Sixties for telling 1,500 jokes in three and a half hours.

Thanks to his zany, rapid-fire humour, he went onto become a TV star and a successful singer, with hits including "Tears" and "Happiness".

Even allegations of fraud did not diminish him in the eyes of his fans. In 1989 he stood trial at Liverpool Crown Court on eight charges of tax fraud spanning 15 years, involving £825,000.

Dodd claimed to live on £3,500 a year, while his personal wealth ran into millions. He said he did not take a holiday until he was 51. It emerged that he had 20 bank accounts in Jersey and the Isle of Man, and made regular trips to deposit cash in them, which was not declared to the Inland Revenue.

When asked by the judge what "a hundred thousand pounds in a suitcase feels like?" Dodd made the now-famous reply: 'The notes are very light, M'Lord."

The jury was convinced by Dodd's defence counsel. who noted: "Some accountants are comedians but comedians are never accountants."

Dodd was acquitted, but faced a reported £2m legal fees and tax bill. He later quipped: "I told the Inland Revenue I didn't owe them a penny because I lived near the seaside."

Dodd spent more than six weeks in the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital earlier this year, following a chest infection, leaving at the end of February.

As news of his death broke, friends, fans and fellow celebrities paid tribute to "one of the all time greats".

Referencing the fact that Dodd's shows could often last for hours on end, comic Gary Delaney tweeted: "RIP Sir Ken Dodd... The funeral will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday."

A fan wrote: "Appropriate that this should be announced at about 1.14am as this is the sort of time his shows finished. What a legend, happiness was your greatest gift to us."

Irish comic and TV host Dara O'Briain wrote: "So happy I got to meet him once, and more importantly, saw him do one of his incredible 5 hour shows. He was an education to watch, and, afterwards, at 1.30am, he had beers with me in the dressing room and talked showbiz. A privilege, and a loss. RIP."

TV personality Claire Sweeney shared some photos of the star's 90th birthday on Twitter, adding: "RIP Sir Ken Dodd. A legend and an inspiration. I have a lot to thank you for. I was thrilled you had the best birthday party in Liverpool before you left us. Your city, friends, family and show business will miss you terribly."

Additional reporting by Press Association