Globe columnist Peter Grant was invited to joined family and friends at a very special unveiling of a statue celebrating a much-loved Liverpool icon.

When I worked on his semi auto-biographical book Look at it My Way, Sir Ken Dodd stressed to me that there had to be a chapter in it on his life as a bookworm.

Back home in Knotty Ash he had created a library of his own with more than 20,000 books ‘‘I devour books,’’ he told me.

‘‘My teeth come in very handy.’’

Erudite Doddy loved talking about books, from Shakespeare to biographies of comedy legends such as Laurel and Hardy, so there is no better place than his beloved Picton Reading Room at the Central library to honour the King of Comedy in his "favourite spot."

Lady Anne Dodd officially unveiled the remarkable life-size bronze bust of her late husband.

Sir Ken was a regular visitor to the library, spending hours reading and also researching the history of comedy.

Lady Dodd was approached by portrait sculptor Jane Robbins who wanted to create and which captured the comedian’s "contemplative side."

She commissioned Jane to produce the work which is based on a favourite photograph by Stephen Shakeshaft, former picture editor of the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo, who became a close friend.

Lady Dodd told The Globe: ‘‘He was fond of the library as a whole, but the Reading Room held a special place in his heart and it’s where he would want to be remembered.

“Since Ken passed away I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness from all over the world.

‘‘Now people will be able to head to Central Library and appreciate this permanent tribute to my husband.”

Lady Dodd told me that one inscription on the plaque from theatre critic Michael Billington said it all about her husband’s legacy:‘‘The greatest comedian of our lifetime – kissed with genius.’’

But another quote from Lady Dodd herself adds to the poignancy.

It reads: "He loved books and the tranquillity of this room- a favourite place.’’

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told me he had to be there at the unveiling to salute one of the city’s legends.

He said: “Doddy was one of a kind and his contribution, not only to comedy, but to the life in Liverpool was unparalleled.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been seven months since he left us, but it feels like the right time for this new tribute to Sir Ken to take pride of place in a venue which he held dear.

‘‘They are showing An Audience with Ken Dodd at Christmas.

"I will be watching it – the perfect way to lift my spirits when I feel down. The man was genius and will never ever be forgotten.’’

The event was filmed for a new documentary being made to be shown at Christmas.

Stephen Shakeshaft, who took the original photo which captured the thoughtful Doddy, told the Globe: ‘‘I am touched that my picture inspired this wonderful bust of a man we all miss so much.

"Now he is here in the library a reminder to generations that he was a deep thinker, and hugely intelligent man who did so more than make us all laugh.

‘‘And books brought him so much happiness.’’