The 82-year-old actor and comedian attended the service at Liverpool Cathedral yesterday afternoon with his wife Debbie.

East Anglian Daily Times: Roy Hudd said that the funeral is just how Ken Dodd would have wanted it. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTRoy Hudd said that the funeral is just how Ken Dodd would have wanted it. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Veteran comedian, Dodd died on March 11, aged 90, only two days after he had married his partner of 40 years.

Around 2,700 people - including family, friends and fans - are thought to have attended his funeral in the cathedral which Dodd regularly visited himself during his life.

Hundreds more gathered outside to watch the service broadcast on a large screen.

“He would have loved that,” said Mr Hudd, speaking shortly after Mr Dodd’s wake, “It wasn’t over the top. It would have been exactly what he wanted.

East Anglian Daily Times: The coffin is carried in during the funeral service of Sir Ken Dodd at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Picture: AARON CHOWN/PA WIREThe coffin is carried in during the funeral service of Sir Ken Dodd at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Picture: AARON CHOWN/PA WIRE

“He had a full house!”

Mr Hudd said that much like Ken Dodd’s shows the service ended up running on longer than expected.

Tickle sticks, which formed part of Mr Dodd’s repertoire were placed on Liverpool landmarks, including a statue of The Beatles on the Pier Head, ahead of the funeral.

A number of celebrities attended the funeral with jimmy Cricket, Jimmy Tarbuck and Stephanie Cole amongst those speaking during the service.

Mr Tarbuck, who spoke before reading a passage based on Psalm 139, said he had met Sir Ken 57 years ago when performing and “just fell in love with him”.

He said: “He sang Happiness because he gave happiness.”

“The love and affection that filled that cathedral,” said Mr Hudd, “I have never seen anything like it.”

After the service Mr Dodd’s well known Diddymen were on hand to wave goodbye which Mr Hudd said was a nice touch to preceedings.

That appreciation for Mr Dodd and his contribution to the world of comedy continued over into his wake.

“Just talking to people at the wake afterwards to people who knew him was amazing,” said Mr Hudd.

Mr Dodd had visited local venues a number of times across his career including Ipswich Regent, Ipswich Corn Exchange and Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre.

On one occasion he got dozens of attendees’ cars locked in an Ipswich car park after one of his notoriously long shows.