The fun never stops for Ken Dodd and he is on the road again bringing his Happiness Show to his legion of fans who need to give their chuckle muscles a work out.

So far this year has been an extremely busy time for Britain's most enduring and madcap comic. His portrait has recently been hung in London's National Portrait Gallery, he's been commemorated in the first ever Avenue Of The Stars (Britain's equivalent of Hollywood Boulevard) in Covent Garden, and has addressed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford on the Bard and humour.

However, despite all these diversifications his first love remains performing live in theatres up and down the UK.

"By jove, missus!" he says in one of his rare interviews, "To me every night is like an opening night, and there is nothing to compare to the thrill of going on stage and slaving over a hot audience! "Laughter is the greatest music in the world and I am delighted to have devoted so many years to dispensing lots and lots of tickle-tonic. They can't touch you for it.

"Audiences come to my shows wanting to be entertained and to escape the cares and worries of everyday life for a couple of hours. They certainly don't want to be embarrassed or insulted with below the belt humour. They want to laugh and have a good night out and so do I, which is probably why it works."

More than 50 years in the business, what changes has Ken seen in comedy?

"I was fortunate to have grown up with comedy heroes like Arthur Askey, Ted Ray, Rob Wilton, Tommy Handley, Billy Bennett and the great comics of that era," he says.

"They were followed by the likes of Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise. All were legendary funnymen with natural ability and lots of warmth. Comedy should never be over-analysed. It is either funny or it isn't. There is a subtle difference between those who say funny things and those who say things funny."

So, how does he think the comedy of today differs from that of yesterday?

"There was more art' to comedy years ago," he explains. "Comics were masters of their craft. Today there are precious few places to learn that craft, and far too much emphasis is placed on vulgar material. Sadly swearing is being passed off as comedy," he reflects.

Ken still lives in the house in which he was born in Knotty Ash a rambling 17th century Georgian farmhouse and it is filled with happy memories.

"I couldn't live anywhere else but Liverpool", he adds. "I was lucky to have had an idyllic upbringing filled with love and happiness. Me, my brother Billy and sister June loved going to the theatre with mum and dad. The variety shows were our favourites especially the annual pantomimes.

"That's when I became stage-struck, or struck by the stage! I'll never forget the year when mum and dad bought me my own ventriloquist's doll. It was magical. I christened him Charlie Brown, learned how to throw my voice, and started doing impromptu shows for all my pals.

"Later I had my own Punch and Judy show and would entertain at charity shows or garden fetes. Is it any wonder that I eventually entered showbusiness?"

He has achieved practically everything he set out to do in showbusiness and life, but surely after all his constant touring he must occasionally think about hanging up his famous tickling stick and taking things easy for a change?

"How dare you!" he says in mock indignation. "I've never even thought about retirement. Why should I when I love every second of doing my job? Anyway, it's not really a job. I've been doing it for over 50 years now and it's more like a hobby, because I love it so much. I'm very lucky to be doing what I want to do and being paid for it at the same time!"

- Ken Dodd Dorking Halls, Dorking Saturday, April 8, 7.30pm £16, £17.50 01306 881717