THERE’S no stopping Ken Dodd, a comedian who has worked non-stop since his professional debut at the Nottingham Empire in 1954.

At 83, he is still touring and tonight stops off at the Theatre Royal, St Helens, with his long-running Laughter Show.

The Liverpool comic still lives in the Knotty Ash house in which he was born, a base from which he travels across the country.

And there is no sign of retirement.

“I’ve never even thought about it,” he says.

“Why should I when I love every second of doing my job?

“I’ve been doing it for over 50 years now and it’s more like a hobby because I love it so much.

“I’m very lucky to be doing what I want to do – and being paid for it at the same time.”

The strange thing is that Ken has lost little of the manic energy which has marked all his performances throughout his lengthy career.

He can work well over his allotted time and call out to his audience: “Do you give in?”

They don’t, even if it means missing the last bus home.

Fellow comedians love him, among them Eric Sykes, who included him in his book, Comic Heroes.

He wrote: “To all young and aspiring comedians, you would be well advised to study, watch and learn from Ken Dodd, the Master Craftsman. Well advised.”

In his recent book, Look At It My Way, published by Trinity Mirror, Ken returned the compliment.

“Eric’s a kind, genuine and very funny man,” he wrote.