COMEDY legend Ken Dodd makes his annual Easter visit to Bournemouth Pavilion on Saturday.

The marathon joke-teller – well known for keeping audiences laughing into the early hours, has an encyclopaedic knowledge of comedy – recently winning Celebrity Mastermind with variety comedians as his specialist subject.

And at 87 years of age he prides himself on adding new jokes to every show.

Of course, Ken is well known for his trusty barometer of humour – the giggle map.

On it, he plots out how well his humour goes down in the various regions he performs in.

Ken said: “Before I started as a comedian I was a salesman and I used to keep a notebook.

“I did the same jokes with key words and would see whether it would involve a titter or a chuckle.

“Over the years I’ve recorded the information and kept this notebook by my side all the time.”

Asked how he maintains his enthusiasm for touring he says: “I’m what they call strong stock. I love jokes and I love hearing an audience laugh.

“I’ve had a very good run. People say ‘how do you do it?’ I do it because I can.

“When my leg gives out I will have to think about retiring and sitting pretty.”

Ken, who is speaking from his home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, will be playing 33 dates on his tour.

He will be supported by his long-term fiancee Anne Jones, a singer, pianist and flautist, and a diminutive ‘character’ called Dickie Mint.

There have been a few whisperings around lately that for sixty plus years of service to entertainment Ken should finally be awarded a knighthood.

“If it happens I would be thrilled. It wouldn’t stop me going down the fish and chip shop though.”

  •  Ken Dodd is at Bournemouth Pavilion on April 4.