#HAPPINESS in thanks to our NHS

Happy Monday everyone! We've been working in association with the fantastic Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation and Liverpool's Royal Court to help shine some positivity and happiness this Easter Monday. Want to find out more? Read on...

Like us all, the late Sir Ken Dodd was a huge fan and supporter of the NHS, now his widow Lady Anne Dodd is joined by ‘Scouse royalty’ Ricky Tomlinson to pay a warm, joy-filled tribute to the nation’s NHS workers for their brave efforts to keep us all safe from the Covid-19 virus. Together they’ve created a “People’s Tribute” song to say thanks to the NHS and bring a little light-hearted relief to the nation

The pair have brought together an authentic army of Liverpool singers to raise a smile for the nation with a heart-felt version of Doddy’s signature-tune with his chart hit “Happiness”. Joining the lock-down tribute are dozens of nurses alongside ordinary families and home- trapped singers as well as some of Liverpool’s home-grown stars, including Rick Astley, Glenda Jackson, Jimmy Tarbuck, Shirley Ballas, Les Dennis, Claire Sweeney, Ian Hart, Sunetra Sarker, Garry Christian from The Christians and T’Pau’s Carol Decker plus Liverpool football legend Mark Lawrenson.

“Ken would have loved the idea of cheering up everyone across the nation by singing together his Happiness song” said Lady Anne. “We just thought how lovely it would be to share a smile and some joy with everyone of all backgrounds and ages because right now we all need a bit of joy and singing is the way to do it!”

The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson, who’s filmed singing in his bath, said: “We saw Madonna in her bath having a go, so we thought it’s time we did an authentic Scouse song to get the nation smiling again and say a huge thank-you to all our amazing NHS staff.”

“Happiness is a song that brings people together and makes all of us realise how lucky we are to be alive,” said Lady Anne. “We all need more laughter and joy in our lives and we hope Happiness can bring a smile to the world.”

It was the late Eric Sykes who used to say Ken’s shows should be prescribed on the NHS because a good laugh made people feel better. That is also the mission of The Comedy Trust, to create happier, healthier people through the power of laughter and this viral “Happiness” is simply about spreading some positivity in unsettling times.

The 3-minute Happiness video is now LIVE on all of our social media sites, tune in, sing along and help us share the #happiness !!

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BACKGROUND:

Sir Ken Dodd, who died two years ago on March 11, aged 90, released “Happiness” written by American country musician Bill Anderson, in 1964, reaching No 31 in the pop charts. The song became Doddy’s signature tune and he went on to have 18 Top 40 hits throughout the Sixties and Seventies, selling millions of records world-wide.

Sir Ken was also responsible for helping keep Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre alive in 1978 when he even sold the tickets in the box office for his one-man show which kept the theatre going. Now the theatre has had a £7.2m renovation and is thriving.

Sir Ken Dodd had a long standing relationship with the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Clatterbridge Hospital and the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and his Charitable Trust continues that work overseen by Lady Anne Dodd.

Sir Ken was cared for in the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital shortly before his death and on his discharge he said:

“The NHS is marvellous. The Nurses here are absolutely wonderful and the doctors are excellent. The staff do their best for everybody – it all makes me cry with gratitude”

And reflecting Sir Ken’s genuine gratitude to the NHS the last chorus of this rendition of the song reflects Doddy’s thoughts.

Oh, NHS, NHS, the greatest gift that WE possess

WE thank the Lord that WE'VE been blessed

With more than OUR share of NHS

We’ve got more than OUR share of NHS

And if this has made you smile – you can help - nhscharitiestogether.co.uk

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Credits

RELEASED by The Sir Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation in association with The Comedy Trust and Liverpool’s Royal Court, April 13, 2020

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PRODUCED by Knotty Ash Productions in association with Heart & Soul Films and Original Productions

Editor: Edward Mills

Assistant Producer & Co-ordinator: Georgia Robson

Creative Consultants Ricky & Rita Tomlinson

Producer/Director: Eric Harwood

Executive Producers: Lorna Dickinson & Lady Anne Dodd

WITH A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Rick Astley

Shirley Ballas

Ellis Barrie

Garry Christian

Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Carol Decker

Les Dennis

Lady Dodd

Ian Hart

Glenda Jackson

Phina Oruche

Sunetra Sarker

Claire Sweeney

Jimmy Tarbuck

Daniel Taylor

Ricky Tomlinson

David Yip

EVERTON FC:

Megan Finnigan

Simone Magill

Jimmy Martin

Esme Morgan

Danielle Turner

LIVERPOOL FC:

Mark Lawrenson

THE COMEDY TRUST

Sam Avery and family

Charlene Davies

LIVERPOOL’S ROYAL COURT

Iain Christie

Jay McWinen

Gillian Miller

Miriam Mussa

LIVERPOOL’S ROYAL COURT COMMUNITY CHOIR

Pauline Davies

Bobby Owens

Paula Siddall

Sharon Watkins

ROYAL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY CHOIR:

Antoinette Galloway

Karen Hawkins

Dot Kelly

Zoe Stevens

CROXTETH DISTRICT NURSES:

Beth Howard

Joanne Ingham

Mary Maher

Lynn Patterson

Jo Wilson

CROXTETH COMMUNITY RESPIRATORY TEAM:

Gill Brocklehurst

Becky Clegg

Linda Humphreys

Simone Kieran

Katie Lowe

Gerry Thompson

Paul Tinnion

Chloe Twitchett

Jane Whittaker

Kelly Wynne

ST JOHN’S CHURCH - KNOTTY ASH:

Sue Farley

Rev Julia Jesson

Camelia Usher-Galvin

LIVERPOOL FC FANS:

Rosie Glassberg

George Ingham

Euella Jackson

Holly Loader

Mattie Loader-Mouland

Ian Mouland

West Dorset Scrubbers