Ken Dodd dies aged 90

Best known for his long stand-up performances – which he toured up until last year – and tickle stick, the Liverpudlian passed away at the home he grew up in in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, after a six-week stint in hospital for a chest infection.

After making his first professional appearance at the Theatre Royal Stockport in 1954, Dodd went on to make his name in music halls and theatres around the country before finding larger fame on the small screen. He also penned songs including "Happiness" and the chart-topping "Tears", which has sold over 1.5 million copies and is one of the bestselling UK singles of all time.

Many of his stand-up shows would run until the early hours of the morning, and in 1974 he broke the Guinness world record for the longest uninterrupted joke-telling session, in which he told 1,500 jokes in three and a half hours, or just over seven per minute.

Just last year Dodd was knighted at Buckingham Palace, as well as being honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the British Music Hall Society.

Announcing the comedian's death, publicist Robert Holmes said: "To my mind, he was one of the last music hall greats."

Leading entertainment world figures have been reacting to the news on Twitter:

17th November 1977, the first show I ever produced, Leek Grand Cinema, tickets £1, sold out in an hour, the audience howled, the Star came off stage at 12.20am and got paid £250 cash. Thank you Ken Dodd

RIP Sir Ken Dodd. One of the all time greats. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday.

Remembering Ken Dodd performing at @crucibletheatre. We had to order taxis home for all the staff; his set finished after midnight (and nobody wanted a second less). May we all fill 90 years so well

Comedy flowed through him like water. RIP Sir Ken Dodd. pic.twitter.com/v0FjVJVe1n

Ah, Ken Dodd has died. So happy I got to meet him once, and more importantly, saw him do one of his incredible 5 hour shows. He was an education to watch and, afterwards, at 1.30 am, he had beers with me in the dressing room and talked showbiz. A privilege, and a loss. RIP.

"Are u just going to keep going on & on & on?"
Doddy: Yes!
And he did. Right up til now
RIP #SirKenDodd https://t.co/QkbTOdzqzV