
Who Is Ken Dodd’s Wife? All About Lady Anne Dodd!
Lady Anne Dodd, widow of the legendary British comedian Sir Ken Dodd, continues to carry forward both the humor and humanitarian legacy of the man who made the nation laugh for over six decades. In 2025, as the world marked World Happiness Day, Lady Anne was found reminiscing about her beloved husband from the library of their Liverpool home in Knotty Ash, a place filled with memories, laughter, and stories from a life shared on and off stage.
More Than a Partner: Anne, Lady Dodd
Anne Jones, now Lady Anne Dodd, spent over 40 years by Sir Ken’s side as his partner, both in life and on stage. Known for her quiet strength and steadfast loyalty, Anne worked alongside Ken in countless performances, often appearing with him during his iconic shows.
In 2018, just two days before Ken passed away at the age of 90, the couple married privately at their home, making Anne officially Lady Anne Dodd following his knighthood the previous year.
Today, Lady Anne continues to live in their home in Knotty Ash, surrounded by mementos of Ken’s life, including shelves of his favorite books and keepsakes.
Continuing Ken’s Legacy
Since Ken Dodd’s death, Anne has taken on the responsibility of overseeing the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, which has donated over £3 million to charitable organizations across the UK. “I’m so proud of Ken that his wish to help people is still being carried on even after he died,” Anne shared recently.
In 2025, Lady Anne will receive a prestigious Citizen of Honour award from the city of Liverpool, recognizing her tireless commitment to philanthropy and the charitable work done through Ken’s foundation.
A Home Full of Memories
During a recent interview, Lady Anne invited visitors into their cozy library, a converted washhouse where Sir Ken spent time just before his death. Among the thousands of books is one of Ken’s childhood favorites, The Wind in the Willows, lovingly placed on the shelf by Dodd himself.
Lady Anne recalled finding handwritten notes and old joke books, many of which Ken had intended to use in a never-completed autobiography. “He loved buying books. He was like a magpie,” she chuckled. In another treasured find, she discovered Ken’s copy of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, filled with personal annotations from when he played Malvolio in 1971, a role he took very seriously despite his reputation for comedy.
Emotional Connections and Fan Tributes
Lady Anne often receives letters and emails from Ken’s devoted fans, whom he lovingly called “supporters.” She shared the story of a grieving couple who, after attending one of Ken’s shows, found healing and reconnected through laughter, a testament to Dodd’s profound impact on people’s lives.
“Doddy: you made a lot of people happy,” Anne said with emotion. “You made a lot of people forget their troubles. That is what you dearly did.”
What is Doddywood?
Recently, actor and Ken’s close friend Ricky Tomlinson suggested creating a “Doddywood”, a tribute theme park in the style of Dollywood to celebrate Ken’s legacy. Lady Anne laughed at the suggestion, saying, “It’s a great idea… but I’d need someone to organize it!” Still, the idea of a Doddywood on Merseyside has sparked curiosity among fans.
A Lasting Legacy
As a final stop, Lady Anne proudly showed how Ken’s old primary school has been transformed into the Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Hall, a vibrant community space. “Ken didn’t know we were going to do this,” she said, smiling. “But I think he would be delighted.”
With grace and warmth, Lady Anne Dodd has turned grief into purpose, continuing Sir Ken Dodd’s mission to spread joy and kindness far beyond his lifetime. As she modestly puts it, “I am truly thrilled to bits… or as Ken would say, I am completely discomknockerated!”
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