Nottingham may have turned down the king of the tickling stick but Shropshire still welcomes him with open arms.

Not only was he an instant sell-out for a July date at Theatre Severn, where a second night has now been added, but veteran entertainer Ken Dodd is also supporting the county’s hospice movement. The 81-year-old veteran once had a house at Whitchurch.

He has chipped in a donation from his charity fund for Shirley Tart’s Golden Years charity in support of Hope House and Severn Hospice.

Journalist Shirley said: “Although the bulk of the money was handed over to the two hospices at the end of last year, I left the account open just in case. And up came Doddy!

“Ken had heard about the charity and told me ages ago that he’d send something from ‘the diddy, Doddy fund’.

“True to his promise, last week I got a cheque for £250 for Golden Years which is absolutely marvellous.

“I’ve known him for years since I first interviewed him when we were both a lot younger and have met him many times since – I once helped him with a bit of ghost writing and went to see him at his home in the legendary Knotty Ash.

“He is an amazingly kind and generous chap – and I and the hospices are extremely grateful at this latest gesture.”

Shirley, who is a patron of Hope House, set up the Golden Years charity to mark her own 50 years in newspapers and so far £36,000 has been handed over.

She adds: “It was a wonderful year and so many people from all walks of life chipped in to help and such generous donations all helped boost the total.

“I felt I wanted to do something to say thank-you to the county for the wonderful opportunities I have had during my newspaper years – most of them spent here in Shropshire of course. The hospice movement is one very close to my heart and I support it wherever I can.

“And with the tough economic climate we are now in, I hope Doddy’s generous gesture will remind us of again those who desperately need our support.”

By Kirsty Smallman