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Barry Chuckle (left), real name Barry Elliott, has died aged 73, and was one half of the Chuckle Brothers, starring alongside his brother, Paul, from 1987 to 2009, and which ran for 292 episodes. From starting off as The Chuckles on ITV’s Opportunity Knocks in 1967, and then on New Faces in 1974, and more recently, they returned to TV in Channel 5’s Saturday afternoon clip show, Chuckle Time.
Paul Elliott said: “I’ve not just lost my brother, I’ve lost my theatrical partner of many, many years and my very best friend.”
Manager Phil Dale added: “It is with great sadness that the family announce that Barry passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Ann and all his family. The family would like to express their thanks to the many people who have been fans of the Chuckle Brothers and they know that they will share in part the great, great loss they feel. Barry leaves 50 years of laughter as his legacy, which is something very special”.
Barry Elliott had not been well towards the end of the new programme’s filming, and all summer work was cancelled while he rested at the request of his doctor, although not long afterwards, his health deteriorated.
Hailing from Rotherham, they were honorary presidents of Rotherham FC, more recently, they joined forces in ITV’s Benidorm, as Paul played a magician, while Barry (in drag) was his assistant.
And don’t forget their 2014 collaboration, To Me, To You (Bruv), with Tinchy Stryder in aid of the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, which you can see below.
RIP Barry Chuckle.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.