His manager has confirmed the news
Barry Chuckle, one half the comedy duo the Chuckle Brothers, has died at the age of 73.
The comedian, real name Barry Elliott, was known for his slapstick routines, visual humour, and recurring catchphrases “to me (to you)” and “oh dear, oh dear” along with his brother, Paul.
His comedy partner Paul said: “I’ve not just lost my brother, I’ve lost my theatrical partner of many, many years and my very best friend.”
His manager Phil Dale added: “It is with great sadness that the family announce that Barry passed away peacefully in 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.”
The Chuckle Brothers were famous for their hit sketch show ChuckleVision, which celebrated its 21st series in 2010, but have been performing on television since winning the talent competition Opportunity Knocks in 1967.
The pair returned to television screens this year with a new series called Chuckle Time, a Saturday night entertainment format for Channel 5.
Elliott had also appeared in the short film about Joseph Grimaldi, titled The Funniest Man in the World, in 2017.
Fans posted tributes to the entertainer on Twitter:
So sorry to hear of the death of Barry Chuckle aged 73 this morning, a great entertainer who has been making people laugh for so long. Our family loved his act with his brother, R.I.P. Barry 😠pic.twitter.com/U03zlVCLnR
— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) August 5, 2018
💔 R.I.P. Barry Chuckle. Such a lovely, funny & genuine man. It was a pleasure to meet you #barrychuckle #chucklebrothers pic.twitter.com/A8UkTlY9Kt
— Adam Smithy (@AdamJSmithy) August 5, 2018
The Chuckle Brothers were my childhood (and beyond). So sad about Barry Chuckle 💔 pic.twitter.com/rGqWxu9fbG
— Jono Read (@jonoread) August 5, 2018
RIP Barry Chuckle. A massive part of my childhood. Not a day went past without laughing at his antics #ToMe #ToYou
— Stuart Antony (@STU_ACTOR) August 5, 2018
The Chuckle Brothers were genuinely the first people on TV that made me laugh. Three decades on, I still love laughing, and comedy. And laughing at comedy.
Thank you Barry. To me, to you, to me … to you. x pic.twitter.com/t2yqaM5EZr
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) August 5, 2018
'To me; to me.' Doesn't really work does it. RIP Barry Chuckle.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) August 5, 2018
