Last night I was out in Liverpool, which seems to be something of a rarity for me lately. I went to see Ken Dodd in his Laughter Show at the small concert hall in St Georges Hall. The first thing that strikes you when entering this beautiful hall is how well it had been restored to its former glory. Then you drink in the fact that Charles Dickens stood on this stage and gave readings to the people of Liverpool. In those days you paid one penny to go to "the penny readings" this was to encourage people from all backgrounds to be able to listen to great stories often told by great writers.However, I digress from my original subject of playing with Gods.

First up is this little place:

yes be impressed, as this little number is the latest skyscraper to break the already famous Liverpool Water Front scene, even if it is a little back from the waterfront. West Tower houses very expensive apartments and on the thirty fourth floor a restaurant and bar. I had the pleasure of having a pre concert drink in the bar. The view is spectacular and all the more so because I was looking down like some God on the city I love. Drinks were not bad either. I have to point out that you probably need to take out a second mortgage to eat and drink here, but you only live once. I had one criticism the "bucket type chairs" very uncomfortable, unless of course you are the type of lizard that likes to lounge, then you will be well at home slinky down in one of these.

Speaking of Gods back to Mr Ken Dodd, here is a man eighty years young, who spent four hours entertaining his audience,believe me when I say when you go to see him you know you are "his" audience, one of the funniest comedians I have ever seen, and this is not the first time I have had the pleasure of seeing him. His show was a celebration of laughter and the laughter makers, so no better place to stage it than in a city were every other person is a comedian. He paid tribute the likes of Arthur Askey. Ted Ray and Tommy Handley, some of his heroes, but I can tell you he was right up there with the best of them. He also had the grace to include some of the more recent comedians who have hailed form Liverpool, and having seen most of them I can tell you they cannot hold a candle to this guy. His memory may not be what it was, but he is as sharp as any of the knives in the box. All the proceeds of this show went to charity, and of course there was the usual mention of his lapse of memory when it comes to money/ tax returns etc. He even had a go at lawyers and journalist in a very clever way to let them know  he had the measure of most men.

I have been one of the enormous group of people wondering why he has never been knighted.When you put him alongside the people who are now "Sirs" it is unfathomable. Maybe that little indiscretion with his tax return is the answer, but for most people getting one over on the taxman has made him an icon!! Lets hope they do not wait too long to honour one of Liverpool's finest. As he said last night " They sent me a self assessment form, me who invented the self assessment" priceless!!!!