At last the self-styled Squire of Knotty Ash Ken Dodd was given a knighthood in the New Year's Honours.

A buoyant Sir Doddy told the Globe: ''I am delighted; I am tickled.

''I am full of plumptiousness ''I want to thank every single person who wished it for me.

''The wish has happened.

''The dream has come true.''

The multi-award-winning comedian, who will be 90 next November, has just completed two sell- out Christmas shows - five hours each in duration - at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. He has been performing them there for 25 years.

He continues to play on average three shows a week across the country.

And on New Year's Eve a Channel 5 two-hour documentary "Ken Dodd in his Own Words" is a highlight of the festive schedules.

Elated by the news of his Knighthood, the one-time coal merchant and door-to-door salesman said: ''I am very thrilled and honoured. I am full of happiness.''

The star has picked up many accolades in his 60-year career.

He is a Freeman of the City of Liverpool.

He was awarded the OBE by the Queen in 1982 for services to show business and charity.

Ken, also a chart-topping singer, ventriloquist, actor and writer, became one of the rare entertainers to be given a second show of "An Audience with..." which he did in "Another Audience with Ken Dodd" in 2002.

He was made an honorary fellow of Liverpool John Moores University in 1997.

A statue depicting him with his trademark Cumbrian-made "Tickling Stick" was unveiled in Lime Street Station in 2009.

And he was made an honorary fellow of the University of Chester the same year, having been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters at a graduation ceremony in Chester Cathedral.

He was also awarded a Doctorate of Letters at Liverpool Hope University in 2010 during the University's Foundation Day celebrations.

Ken has never written his auto-biography but he did release his personal photo album in the book Look at it My Way in 2009.

Many people feared that his 1989 tax evasion case of which he was acquitted might stop him becoming a Sir.

But there have been many petitions and campaigns to see him Knighted for his outstanding contribution to entertainment and his ongoing work done through the Ken Dodd Charitable Trust.

Now fans from all over the country are celebrating the news they have been waiting so long to hear.

Fellow showbiz stars - including Charlie Landsborough, Billy Butler, Pete Price and Ricky Tomlinson - all agree the Knighthood is long overdue for a man so generous with his time they all call the 'King of Comedy'.

Ken, a keen fan of horse-racing, chuckled: ''There was a horse called 'Sir Ken' and he managed to overcome all the hurdles in life.

''We all have ups and downs and hurdles - it is good to get over them.

"I am an optimist.

''I believe happiness helps - we all need to spread happiness. It is the antidote to gloom and negativity.''

The modest showman said proudly: ''I truly believe I have been blessed.''