Ken Dodd 'tickled' to unveil Laurel and Hardy statue

Hundreds of people gathered in the late Stan Laurel's hometown of Ulverston, Cumbria, to witness the unveiling of a bronze monument to the comedian and his famous sidekick Ollie Hardy.  

Funnyman Ken Dodd, who arrived for the ceremony in a vintage Model T Ford, did the honours, accompanied by impersonators of the pair .  

They were, he said, the “most famous, most loved and most fabulous” comedy duo in the history of showbusiness. "Laurel and Hardy made the world laugh. They were the kings of comedy."  

The comedians, who entered into a partnership which spanned 31 years, appeared together in 106 short films and movies, dating from the silent era through to the Fifties.

Photo: © PA