Dodd recovering after operation

Ken Dodd is recovering in hospital after undergoing a successful hernia operation.

The 80-year-old comedian was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital on New Year's Eve, just hours after leaving the stage at the city's Philharmonic Hall.

His agent Robert Holmes confirmed that the surgery had gone well, saying: "I've just spoken to Ken and he's fine. He's had to postpone a couple of concerts but he'll be back on stage next month."

Dodd's friend Peter Grant, who was in the audience at Sunday's gig, told the Liverpool Daily Post: "He was brilliant, absolutely the best form I've seen him in for a couple of years, although he was coughing a little bit. He did more stand-up in that show than ever and must have been on stage for at least three hours."

A spokeswoman for the Royal Liverpool said: "I've just spoken to him and he told me to say he expects to be home in a couple of days."

Shows in St Helens and Birkenhead will be rescheduled and anyone unable to make the new dates will have their money refunded.