SIR Ken Dodd’s publicist has slammed “upsetting” and “completely untrue” reports that the 90-year-old comedian has passed away.
Claims that the legendary comic had died began circulating on social media last night, though Robert Holmes has confirmed Sir Ken is very much alive.
He told the ECHO: “I have just spoken to Ken on the phone from his hospital bed.
“He is philosophical about what’s happened, but the important thing to stress is that he is continuing to make slow and steady progress.”
The star was admitted to Liverpool’s Heart and Chest Hospital just over a week ago, after falling ill with a severe chest infection.
Holmes added: “This report was upsetting and, of course, completely untrue – but reports like this get passed around very quickly, which is what makes them all the more distressing.”
Sir Ken’s partner, Anne Jones, recently told the publication that he would return home in the “not-too-distant future”.
She enthused: “Ken is being looked after very well. It’s a bit slow but he’s getting there, so hopefully he will be able to go home in the not-too-distant future.”
The veteran entertainer recently thanked the NHS for their help over the last couple of weeks, before thanking his legions of fans for their well-wishes.
He gushed: “A very big thank you to everybody for their good wishes. The doctors and their teams are working very hard on me and on lots of other patients, too.
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“The nurses are lovely and wonderful. The NHS is really marvellous and I am very grateful.”
Sir Ken was bestowed with a knighthood last March for his career and charity work.
“I’m delighted and highly tickled,” he said at the time.
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