THE comedy world is mourning the death of Ken Dodd.
But why is his house so famous? And who are the Diddy Men? Here’s what we know…
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Why is Ken Dodd’s house in Knotty Ash so famous?
Knotty Ash is an area of Liverpool, Merseyside and home to the late Ken Dodd.
His house on Thomas Lane was built in 1782 and was in his family for generations and it was here that his family’s coal business was based.
The house on the left hand-side is the original house and in the 70s the right hand-side was converted from a barn.
Knotty Ash is famed for being the home of the Diddy Men.
The original “diddyman” was Ken’s diminutive great uncle Jack who gained notoriety for his humorous stories and singing.
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Who are the Diddy Men?
The Diddy Men were brought to life by Ken, but they have existed in Merseyside mythology for much longer.
When Ken began playing seaside resorts, he made his home area of Knotty Ash famous with the miniature race of people who inhabited it.
The Diddy Men were originally an unseen joke but after a while they began to appear on stage with Ken, delighting children in the audience.
They also appeared on the comedian’s BBC television programmes in the 60s, as string-puppets.
The Diddy Men wear slightly oversized adult clothes complete with tall furry hats.
The Diddy men include:
- Dicky Mint (who is the character which Ken uses during his ventriloquism acts.)
- Nigel Ponsonby-Smallpiece (quintessentially English)
- Mick the Marmalizer (quintessentially Irish)
- Wee Hamish (quintessentially Scottish)
- Little Evan (quintessentially Welsh)
- Harry Cott
- Sid Short
- Weany Wally
- Titch Doyle
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What are the Jam Butty Mines?
The Diddymen work in the Jam Butty Mines.
The fictional mines can be found in Knotty Ash.
The Diddymen also work The Snuff Quaries, the Broken Biscuit Repair Works, The Treacle Wells and the Moggy Ranch.