Funeral of comedian Sir Ken Dodd to be held

Fans are expected to line the streets of Liverpool to pay their final respects to comedian Sir Ken Dodd.

Sir Ken's funeral will be held at the city's Anglican cathedral at 1pm on Wednesday.

A horse-drawn hearse, a nod to his father's job as a coal merchant, will lead the funeral cortege from East Prescot Road at 11am on Wednesday, and residents and visitors have been encouraged to line the route.

The much-loved comedian, aged 90, died at his home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, earlier this month.

His funeral service will be open to the public, with a large screen broadcasting the ceremony for mourners outside the cathedral.

Flags at Liverpool Town Hall, St George's Hall, Cunard Building and Central Library will be lowered for the day as a mark of respect.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said: "Although Wednesday will be a sombre occasion, it is an opportunity for us all to pay tribute to an unforgettable man and I can think of nothing more fitting than huge crowds lining the streets for his final act.

"There will never be another comedian like Ken, his passing marks the end of an era in British entertainment and I'm sure he'll be tickled that the city will be putting on such a show in his honour."

The funeral service will be followed by a private interment.