Ken Dodd’s Legacy of Happiness Returns to BBC Two This Thursday 2nd July 2026

Television audiences are being invited to take a nostalgic step back into the world of a true comedy giant this week. The critically acclaimed documentary, The Real Ken Dodd: A Legacy of Happiness, is set to air on BBC Two at midnight on Thursday, 2nd July.

For those who prefer not to stay up for the late-night broadcast, the feature-length film will also be available for on-demand streaming on BBC iPlayer, allowing fans to watch at a time that suits them.

Narrated by Miriam Margolyes, the documentary offers an affectionate, deeply intimate look at the life and enduring impact of the legendary Squire of Knotty Ash. The film features unprecedented access granted by Ken’s wife, Anne, Lady Dodd, exploring his private life, his obsessive dedication to the craft of comedy, and the contents of his personal notebooks – which he had originally requested to be burned after his passing.

Instead, those notebooks have helped preserve a masterclass in wit, timing, and what it truly means to dedicate a lifetime to making people laugh.

Whether you catch the midnight broadcast or stream it over the weekend on BBC iPlayer, it remains a beautiful tribute to a standard of entertainment that shaped generations.