Tear me, tear you
Chuckle Brother Barry dies aged 73 after secret illness as his bro says: I’ve lost my best friend
With his funny face, bristly barnet and perfect slapstick timing, Barry Elliott made the nation chuckle for more than 50 years.
And as his death was announced yesterday, aged 73, the outpouring of affection for the veteran entertainer was extraordinary.
MPs, actors, comics and sporting stars paid tribute and thanked him for brightening up their childhoods.
For Barry was one half of the Chuckle Brothers, the comedy and panto stars who became kids’ TV icons. He and brother Paul, 70, created ChuckleVision, the knockabout sketch show that ran for 22 years and won a children’s BAFTA.
It also ensured nobody over 30 can ever move a sofa around without joking: “To me, to you.”
But it was the Chuckle Brothers’ other catchphrase on sad fans’ lips yesterday: “Oh dear, oh dear.”
Barry, ill for over a year, died at home in Rotherham, South Yorks surrounded by loved ones including wife Ann. Paul said: “I’ve not just lost my brother, I’ve lost my theatrical partner of many, many years and my very best friend.”
Agent Phil Dale added: “Barry leaves 50 years of laughter as his legacy, which is something special.”
The news rocked Chuckle fans as, since 2008, there have been a string of hoax reports of Barry having a fatal heart attack.
Social media soon lit up with tributes, thanking him “for the laughs”.
Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams posted: “Farewell Barry. I always thought he and his brothers were special performers, not just because of their talents but they are the last link to the British Musical Hall tradition that gave us Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.”
The host of Take Me Out, Paddy McGuinness, said: “One of my favourites from childhood years, teenage years and as an adult! Gutted.”
Veteran comic Tommy Cannon said: “RIP Barry Chuckle – true funny man, absolute legend! A very sad day for the comedy world.” Actress Lisa Riley posted: “Dearest Barry, make all the angels you join happy and make them always laugh.” Rapper Tinchy Stryder, who in 2014 made charity single To Me, To You (Bruv) with the brothers, wrote: “Funny, down to earth, super cool, talented, humble legend. Rest in peace Barry Chuckle!” Boxing legend Frank Bruno said: “A very funny man, you’ve left happy memories for so many people ‘to me to you’ RIP.” And Labour MP Angela Rayner said: “A great entertainer who has been making people laugh so long.”
Barry and Paul were born in Rotherham and introduced to showbiz by father James Patton Elliott, a Gang Show entertainer who worked with Peter Sellers.
Their two older brothers – Jimmy, 86, and Brian, 83, formed double-act the Patton Brothers and often appeared with the Chuckles.
In 1967, Barry and Paul won TV talent show Opportunity Knocks, then New Faces in 1975. After appearances on shows such as 3-2-1
and The Freddie Starr Showcase, they got their own BBC children’s show, Chuckle Hounds, in 1985. In 1987 it became ChuckleVision, which only came off air in 2009.
The series featured the brothers getting into surreal scrapes – usually while taking on new jobs that invited disaster, such as removals.
They also starred in the Children’s Royal Variety Show, launched game- show To Me, To You and appeared in panto every year for five decades.
In 2008, they got a special BAFTA for their contribution to children’s TV.
Barry and Paul were Rotherham United fans and included references to the team in their work. In 2007, the club made them honorary presidents.
In recent years they were on shows such as Celebrity Coach Trip and ads for insurance site Van Compare. In 2014, they courted controversy with a smiling selfie at Southwark crown court, where they had given evidence in the trial of DJ Dave Lee Travis, later convicted of indecent assault.
But in 2015, the Chuckles got a heroes’ welcome when they made a guest appearance at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. Appeal with nostalgic millennials helped them land slots on Blankety Blank, Walliams and Friends and a hit cameo in comedy Benidorm as magic act The Great Crostini & Co – with Barry in drag as the assistant.
Paul and Barry made no secret of their desire to appear in Celebrity Big Brother and said they had been in talks but felt they were turned down as they “weren’t nasty enough”.
Paul also fancied I’m A Celebrity... but Barry was less keen. He said in March: “I think I’m getting a bit past it now. I’m not sure I could do all those things they want you to do.”
In April, the brothers began filming new Channel 5 series Chuckle Time.
Soon after, they denied reports their relationship was strained. Barry branded the claims “utter rubbish”, insisting: “Me and Paul couldn’t be closer brothers, mates and partners and we’ve never stopped working.”
But it seems Barry’s health was starting to fail. Last year, brother Jimmy married ChuckleVision fan Amy Phillips, 26, but Barry was said to be too unwell to go – though Paul was not there either.
And this summer, doctors ordered Barry to cancel all work and rest. His cause of death has not been revealed.
However, the outpouring of affection clearly moved his family.
Responding to Twitter tributes, Barry’s sister-in-law, Sue, wrote: “Paul has asked me to thank EVERYONE for your lovely messages. He is devastated so unable to respond himself. But your messages really do help and he knows Barry would be so happy to know how much he was loved.”