Comedian Sir Ken Dodd has hit out at fake news reports that he had passed away, labelling those who started the rumours as ‘monsters’.
The 90-year-old entertainer has been bed-ridden in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital with a severe chest infection for the last fortnight.
As he spoke to reporters from his bedside, the Liverpudlian revealed he had been in a ‘very dark place’ but added ‘I will get out and come into the sunshine’.
The 90-year-old entertainer has been bed-ridden in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital with a severe chest infection for the last fortnight
He and his partner Anne Jones were visibly upset by the fake report circulating on social media which claimed he had died.
The fake report contained a made-up statement from Ms Jones, where she is quoted as saying: ‘We are without words for the passing of our only entertainer, the father of all and above all, my pride Ken Dodd. Please keep his memory alive.’
Speaking about the report, he said: ‘They are horrible monsters. I don’t think they are human beings. I think they are evil. But I think they will get theirs. I can tell you now, there is a God and he will punish them.’
The legendary comedian invited the Liverpool Echo and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Malcolm Kennedy to his bedside as he makes his recovery. Sir Ken welled up as he spoke of the wellwishes he had received and his desire to get back performing on stage.
Speaking to the Lord Mayor, Sir Ken revealed how he planned to put on a show for his charities in April or May this year.
He said: ‘The first and most important thing I want to say is “Thank you”.I want to thank everyone for being so wonderfully kind and caring.
‘The NHS is marvellous. The nurses here are absolutely wonderful and the doctors are excellent. Everyone has been very, very kind to me.
‘But I also want to say there are lots of other people apart from me being cared for in this way. The medical attention is superb and the staff do their very best for everybody – it all makes me cry with gratitude.’
Ken was at his most emotional and tearful as he thanked those who have sent him cards including the children of Knotty Ash Primary School who made him a giant ‘Get Well’ card
The legendary comedian invited the Liverpool Echo and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Malcolm Kennedy to his bedside as he makes his recovery
Sir Ken also gave an emotional thank you to the ‘get well’ cards he had received, including from the children of Knotty Ash Primary School.
He said: ‘The whole of Merseyside and the North West has been so kind and their affection and love has been much appreciated, believe me. They have been there for me and I am looking forward to being there for them.’
Regarding his recovery, he said: ‘I feel, with the care I am getting, I am making definite progress.’
Asked whether he would be able to return home or on stage, he added: ‘It’s going to be a while yet. There’s a lot of work to be done.’
Cllr Kennedy said: ‘Ken was gracious enough to let us come and visit him and I was delighted because he was one of my Liverpool heroes even before I came to Liverpool.
‘I am so glad to see him and that he is picking up, and I am hoping he will be up and about very soon and visiting us at the town hall.’
Sir Ken said that he hoped to be back on stage by April or May to help raise money for his charities
A collection of some of the cards which the legendary comedian has received since he fell ill