What a beautiful day for Showtown!

Showtown Blackpool is deeply honoured to announce the arrival of three of Sir Ken Dodd’s iconic pieces: his famous “huury furry red moggy coat,” playful Union Jack hat and his beloved Jockey Diddyman.

These treasured items will be proudly showcased starting Friday, 8th November, as part of our “I Photograph Comedians” exhibition by Andy Hollingworth, with plans to incorporate them into Showtown’s permanent exhibition next year.

We are incredibly thankful to Lady Dodd, who lovingly made Ken’s famous red moggy coat, for her generous loan of these special pieces. Sir Ken Dodd had an unbreakable bond with Blackpool. The town, with its historic piers, vibrant shows and rich tradition of entertainment, perfectly complimented his extraordinary career. His numerous record-breaking seasons at the Blackpool Opera House in the 60's and 70's and weekly appearances at the Grand Theatre during the 'lights' until his last show in November 2017, delighting his audiences with marathon-length shows that were a signature experience for his devoted fans! Ken made his Blackpool debut in 1954 and was immediately popular. In the summer of 1955, he shared the bill with the infamous comedy duo Morecambe & Wise.

The performance took place in the famous Orchid Room on Central Pier in a show aptly named Let’s Have Fun, which perfectly captured the spirit of the seaside town’s vibrant entertainment scene. At the time, Dodd was affectionately nicknamed the “Laughter Lad,” a title that hinted at the incredible career in comedy that lay ahead. Adding to the magic of this exhibition is Ken’s Jockey Diddyman, one of the whimsical characters from his fantastical world of Diddyland which was inspired by his beloved hometown of Knotty Ash in Liverpool.

Lady Dodd said: "I am particularly looking forward to seeing Ken's iconic moggy coat and hat displayed in the wonderful new Showtown exhibition in the place that Ken himself referred to as 'Blackpool - The Showtown of Great Britain'. He would have loved to have seen the magnificent re-creation of Blackpool's extraordinary entertainment history, especially the depiction of so many wonderful acts with whom he worked and whose company he would have enjoyed during the seasons.” We are thrilled to share these pieces as we celebrate what would have been Ken’s 97th birthday on the 8th November, making this event a heartfelt tribute to his enduring legacy. Ken’s own words express his affection for the town best: “Blackpool audiences are unique—they’re warm, they laugh, and they don’t mind if you keep them till midnight!”

His love affair with Blackpool spanned six incredible decades, during which he gave an estimated 2,400 unforgettable performances, headlined ten summer seasons and graced the stages of countless Sunday shows. He also often delivered two, sometimes three, laughter-filled performances a day!

Liz Moss, Chief Executive at Showtown Blackpool said: “We are delighted to feature these treasured Sir Ken Dodd items as a highlight of our Andy Hollingworth exhibition and we are honoured to display his unforgettable pieces at Showtown, the museum of fun and entertainment.” This meaningful display will enrich Showtown’s current collection dedicated to Sir Ken Dodd, including the “It’s Showtime!: Top of the Bill” interactive exhibit and the Sir Ken Dodd section in the theatres and performance venues area, which gives visitors an even deeper appreciation for his remarkable contributions to comedy and variety entertainment along with some stunning posters from Showtown’s collections.