Ken Goodwin 1933 – 2012
Ken Goodwin is probably best remembered for his appearances on the groundbreaking 1970’s ITV show The Comedians. Famous for his “settle down” catchphrase.
There are comedians who real off the one liners, there are observational comedians but no one could deliver a gag like Ken Goodwin. “and there was this fella, sat in the road pulling a piece of string, I said what ya pulling that string for, he said you want to try pushing it !” possibly not the world’s greatest joke until Ken delivers it. The moment he delivers the punchline he laughs, the audience can’t help themselves and fall about laughing, then Ken would settle into a chuckle and ask “what yer laughing at?” more laughter from the audience. He had the knack of delivering the simplest of jokes adding his own style of delivery and as Frank Carson would say “it’s a cracker”
Our research has turned up very little by way of any biography information so we’ve done our best to present this profile as a tribute to the late great Ken Goodwin and perhaps when we can put more information together we’ll return to it.
Quick Bio
Ken Goodwin was born in Manchester 7th April 1933. He was a great fan of George Formby and would entertain school friends with George Formby impressions. He was married to wife Vicki. On his retirement he and wife Vicki retired to Llanrhos in Llandudno.
Ken had suffered for a number of years with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away on Saturday 18th February 2012 at Coed Isaf Nursing home in Rhos-on-Sea, after a long illness.
Career
There is so little information about Ken we cannot be sure of the correct timeline of events. However it appears that Ken Goodwin started his earlier career like many comics of the day doing the Northern club circuit.
He appeared on talent show Opportunity Knocks, but it was whilst working a club in Chester in 1971, that TV producer Johnnie Hamp spotted him, he told the Manchester Evening News “I had to sign him up to the first series of The Comedians because he was so funny. His jokes were like something out of the Dandy or Beano – he would laugh at people laughing at his jokes.”
The show was a massive hit with television audiences, the now legendary TV producer went on to say of Ken Goodwin that he was an “early star of the show” Appearances at the Royal Command Performance in 1971 and 1972 followed.
Like many of the other comics from the show Ken Goodwin continued to perform to sell out theatres in the 70’s and 80’s. In 1996 he took part in The Comedians Twenty Fifth Anniversary Show for ITV. He topped the bill at the sell out London Palladium shows of The Comedians. One of his final performances to a large audience was on a 2004 tour of The Comedians.
Ken’s friend and manager Clive Stock said that Ken preferred to perform to a live audience rather than do TV appearances.
Clips
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