How tickled is Blackpool Grand to unveil a tribute to Sir Ken Dodd OBE?
A specially-commissioned bronze bust from ‘People’s Sculptor’ Graham Ibbeson commemorates the Friends of the Grand’s famous founding member, and is housed in the theatre’s Dress Circle.
Ibbeson’s previous works include celebrations of comedy greats Les Dawson, Morecambe & Wise and Laurel & Hardy.
Friends of the Grand chairman, John Grady, said of the commission, “Sir Ken was an invaluable supporter of The Grand, offering his time and talent on numerous occasions to help raise the funds to save the theatre from demolition, back in the 1970s. Every year since the theatre re-opened, he performed on our stage... and we wanted to officially recognise his incredible contribution.”
Lady Dodd said of the new sculpture, “my only input was to ‘tickle up’ Ken’s hair a bit! I am thrilled to bits that Ken will now be back at The Grand—a place I know he loved to be.”