KEN Dodd praised the friendliness of the people of Leigh when he was made an honorary Leyther at this year's Christmas light ceremony.

The legendary comic entertained the crowds from the Town Hall balcony for the fourth successive year, with renditions of Rudolf, Jingle Bells and his very own hit single, Happiness, after Monday night's official light switch on. He then spent over an hour meeting, greeting and signing autographs for his faithful fans.

The Liverpool-born comedian has often been hailed as Britain's finest and despite his 73 years he proved he is still very much worthy of that title, even arriving complete with his trademark tickling sticks.

Cllr Brian Jarvis presented Ken with the official proclamation in a small ceremony after the switch on.

He joked: "You are now exempt from paying Council Tax to Wigan, are free to herd your sheep down Bradshawgate and can open a jam butty plantation in Plank Lane."

When accepting the honorary framed certificate Doddy insisted on being called "a friend" rather than a star and his feet were firmly on the ground as he thanked everyone for the "wonderful honour bestowed upon him".

He said: "I am only repaying all the friendship and kindness I have received from Leigh over the last few years. The first year I came I was filled with admiration for the wonderful shopkeepers who had decided to provide Christmas lights out of their own pockets. I think lights are such an important part of the celebrations, especially to children -- and those of us who never grew up!"

He closed his speech with a line from Happiness, saying: "Happiness is the greatest gift that we possess. Thank you."

Ken puts his success down to enthusiasm, with his advice to budding stars being: "Enthusiasm is everything. You have to want it with all your heart. Comedy is all about communication -- juggling ideas and concepts until they work."

Ken, who started his career as a ventriloquist, before becoming a chart-topping singer and an admired comedian, has been performing for half a century and has no intention to stop. He claims his energy comes from within and that no matter how tired he is, it's all forgotten at the sound of his music.

"I'm happy just being a comedian -- if I make people laugh that makes me happy."

According to the man himself a joke is like a watch: "If you look inside a watch it's all about timing, rhythm and balance -- well its the same with a joke. It's like a little story, but there can't be a word too many or a word too little."

And his favourite joke? "They're all good!"