Joe Loss proudly shows his latest silver disc to, from the left, Mr Birtwell, Mrs Forrest and Mrs Birtwell.

Fandiddytastic! That was the reaction of the Birtwell family, of Burnley, after a surprise back-stage meeting with Ken Dodd and Joe Loss at the invitation of Burnley Express Family Circle and the Blackpool Tower Co. Ltd. "We just couldn't believe it was all happening" said Mrs Dinah Birtwell, of Parliament Street, "We just went to Blackpool for a day out and finished up in the dressing rooms of our favourite comedian and the world famous bandleader. Fantastic!"

Mrs Birtwell and husband Gordon had with them their children, David (11), Brian (10) and Susan (3) - and Mrs Birtwell's mother Mrs Edith Forrest. Doddy had the family in stitches as he met them in his "stage gear" after completing his first spot in his Opera House show. The three "diddy" Birtwells were thrilled to bits when Ken gave them models of his own Diddymen. The boys also have his autographed picture to show off to their friends at school. Earlier Mr and Mrs Birtwell and Mrs Forrest who lives at Hebrew Road, met Joe Loss, currently playing a season at the Winter Gardens' brand new Stardust Gardens. In his dressing room he showed them the silver disc he has just been awarded for selling 250,000 copies of the album "Joe Loss plays Glenn Miller." It is Joe's first season at the Winter Gardens since the 1950's. The Birtwells spent the afternoon on Blackpool's famous sands and the Pleasure Beach after arriving on a Shutt Brothers' day trip, but meeting top stars was the last thing they expected. In fact the excitement proved too much for Brian and little Susan, who slept all the way back to Burnley.