Liverpool plans comedy hall of fame

Liverpool's rich comedy history could soon be honoured in an official hall of fame.

A former Lord Mayor has launched a campaign to recognise the work of the city's most famous comedians - from Tommy Handley to Ken Dodd.

Councillor Eddie Clein lodged a motion with the city council last night, seeking to establish such a centre to recgonise "the wealth of humorous talent to have emanated from this city".

He also named Arthur Askey, Ted Ray, JimmyTarbuck and Les Dennis among those most likely to be inducted.

But the motion also joked that past and present members of the council would be excluded.

Clein hopes the idea will help the city's bid to be named Capital of Culture in 2008.

He told the Liverpool Daily Post: "I think something looking back at the history of our comedians, going back to the War years when Rob Wilton carried the flag for Liverpool, would be appropriate.

"We could then look at other Liverpool comedians throughout the decades."

And Ken Dodd recently said: "Liverpool comedians have done so much to make the city happy that I would like to see them marked in some way."

The Hall of Fame is likely to be placed in one of the city's theatres - perhaps the Empire, Playhouse or Everyman.

A date has not yet been set to debate Councillor Clein's motion.

Published: 21 Mar 2002