BOSSES at Hopton-based Potters Leisure Resort have expressed their shock and anger at the news that comedian, Ken Dodd, has been forced to cancel his annual Christmas show in Nottingham, following claims that he is no longer “funny enough.

BOSSES at Hopton-based Potters Leisure Resort have expressed their shock and anger at the news that comedian, Ken Dodd, has been forced to cancel his annual Christmas show in Nottingham, following claims that he is no longer “funny enough.”

Chairman, Brian Potter, described as 'ludicrous' the suggestion that Dodd's material was 'stale'. “Potters has a reputation for providing first-class entertainment and we book only the best performers” he said. “Ken has starred here many times. Indeed, he was with us in March and the show was a sell-out.

“There was a long waiting list for tickets and those people lucky enough to get one were left laughing in the aisles by Ken's usual hilarious act.”

Dodd has been tickling the nation's funny bone for more than half-a-century and Brian Potter labelled the 81-year-old Liverpudlian a “national treasure”.

“We have received numerous enquiries as to when Ken will be back at Potters and subject to his availability, we hope to have him here again very soon. That's the great irony of all this - Ken's popularity is undimmed and he's permanently in demand!”

Ken Dodd actually began his career at the very venue from which he has now had to withdraw. He first took to the stage of Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall, then known as the Empire Theatre, some 55 years ago. And he has performed there every Christmas since.

But it seems that Dodd's particular brand of family humour is no longer a hit with the people of the city.

“If that's really true” Brian Potter declared, “all I can say is that he's welcome here in Norfolk anytime.”