TICKLE-STICKS at the ready! Knotty Ash's most prolific export Ken Dodd is returning to Llandudno's Venue Cymru for another night of side-spliting comedy.
Geraint Wyn Jones caught up with the octogenarian comic to find out why North Wales is one of his favourite tour destinations.
Who are your comedy heroes?
I was fortunate. I came into show business when there were some really great heroes to look up to. Obviously, a boy always reflects his father's favourites.
My father was the funniest man ever. He taught me how to tell jokes. He used to take my mother, brother, sister and me to the variety theatres every week.
As a boy, my hero was Arthur Askey. He was just like a firework display going off - full of energy and vitality.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with Arthur Askey, Ted Ray, Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse, Frankie Howerd.
Did you learn from them?
Of course. Every time you go on stage, you learn something, but by watching the great maestros of mirth, you pick up a few tips and hints.
I served my apprenticeship with them at all the clubs. That's how I learnt how to do it - this thing called experience, which everybody should have.
The most wonderful experience you can have in front of an audience and see them laughing. There's another phenomenon that happens to a live performer - the thing called the ad-lib.
It comes from the back of your mind rather than the front. I've actually stood on a stage and been doing my act and told jokes that I've never heard before.
Best gig
The best show in the world is the one I'm going to play tomorrow night. It's a very optimistic profession. Our motto should be "everything's going to be all right."
Worst gig
There's no such thing as a bad audience - and every day's a good day.
Do you have a favourite joke?
A comedian's favourite joke is rather like a musician's favourite piece of music. It's very personal - it reflects the person's personality.
What’s next?
I’ve got two visits to Llandudno - one on August 14 and another on September 4.
We’re bringing a wonderful Happiness Variety Show. You see, variety is the best kind of show business you can get. We’re like buses - there’s always another one along in ten minutes.
We’ve got one of the best entertainers in the country today - a young man named Andy Eastwood. He’s just like an advert for Corn Flakes. He plays the violin, the guitar, the ukulele - he’s certainly a brilliant young man.
There'll be another guest called Dickie Mint, who is the managing director of the Knotty Ash Jam Butty Mines.
We're very busy at the moment - only last week we struck a new marmalade seam.
Has Llandudno been a good venue for you in the past?
Yes, going back to before you were born, the Arcadia - the Shed. It was always a good place. You see, Liverpool people have a great affection for North Wales. Welsh people have that wonderful zany sense of humour - they love crazy, way out stuff.
Merseyside people always head to North Wales. I spent a lot of my time in a place called Penmachno, near Betws y Coed, and my father was from near Mold.
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Ken Dodd will be performing live at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on September 4 at 7pm. For more information or to book tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit the website at www.venuecymru.co.uk