LIKE many other admirers I was truly sad to read of the death aged 90 of the wonderful Ken Dodd at the start of the week.

I wonder how many of your readers know that his first – and possibly last – appearance in mid- Cheshire was at a Norley Bowls League prize night at the village’s Temperance Hall in October, 1955?

He had only been doing the rounds for a year then, so it was shrewd of Norley League chairman, the estimable Alderman Albert Moors, to engage a virtually unknown comedian from the depths of Liverpool.

I was there to represent the Guardian – and, along with my wife, Wyn – enjoyed a wonderful night.

For some reason, Ken appeared on stage with a euphonium wrapped round his torso and told his jokes after referring to crib lines on the palms of both hands.

He got involved with the presentations, resulting is some hilarious, but unintended, situations while never relenting for a moment from his inexhaustible supply of gags.

Although only 27 at the time and still quite raw, Doddy endeared himself to all present and Wyn and I decided that we had seen a real star of the future.

There will never be anyone like him again.

Mike Talbot-Butler Sandiway