Paul Chuckle, the beloved comedian famed for the catchphrase "To me, to you," has opened up about his remarkable five-decade career, a surprising new film role, and the profound loss of his brother and comedy partner, Barry. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview, the entertainer, whose real name is Paul Elliott, reflects on everything from slapstick inspirations to supermarket selfies.
From Slapstick to Shakespeare: A Life in Comedy
Paul Chuckle's journey into comedy was almost predestined. Born into a showbusiness family, his father Gene Patton was a visual comedian who worked with Peter Sellers, and his mother was a dancer. His two older brothers, Jimmy and Brian, performed as the Patton Brothers, tap-dancing on Saturday night television throughout the 1950s and 60s.
"We were brought up in and out of the theatre all our lives," Chuckle explained. The physical comedy greats of the silent era, like Laurel and Hardy, were key inspirations for him and Barry. "You can't go wrong with visual comedy," he noted. "There can't be many people that don't laugh at somebody falling down."
The path to television fame was a long one, however. Despite winning Opportunity Knocks in 1967 and New Faces in 1974, their big break didn't come until 1984. After a sparsely attended matinee performance in Ashton-under-Lyne, which they performed with full energy regardless, they were spotted by the producer of Roger the Dog. This led to them wearing dog costumes as the 'ChuckleHounds', a segment viewers loved. This success directly spawned their own iconic BBC series, ChuckleVision, which ran for 23 years.
A New Chapter: Gangsters, DJ Sets and Gogglebox
Now, Paul Chuckle is embracing a dramatically different role. He plays a ruthless London gangster in the upcoming film Fall to the Top. His reaction to the offer was simple: "Bring it on!" He joked, "I used to bully Barry around in Chuckle Brothers. Why not go one step further?"
Beyond acting, he has cultivated a passion for DJing, performing guest sets that span singalongs and house music. He cites 'Tsunami' by Dvbbs and Borgeous as a reliable floor-filler and is a lifelong clubber, still hitting the dancefloor with his wife after pantomime seasons. He even expressed a desire to host Radio 1's Essential Mix, quipping, "They just haven't asked me."
His family's connection to television continues through his grandniece and grandnephew, Sophie and Pete, who appear on Gogglebox. When asked who is funnier, he said they're equally entertaining, but added with a laugh, "Why haven't I been on Celebrity Gogglebox? They've never asked!"
Life After Barry: Cherished Memories and Lasting Legacy
The most poignant part of the interview centred on Paul's brother, Barry, who passed away in 2018. Paul stated that working with Barry brought him even more happiness than it brought their audience. "Anybody that watched us live could see the fun we had on stage... We loved each other and just had fun," he recalled.
He misses that partnership dearly, especially the unique dynamic of their live performances. The legacy of their work, however, is inescapable and heartwarming. ChuckleVision entertained multiple generations, and Paul still finds daily recognition a joy, not a burden.
"It takes me ages to go around the supermarket because everyone wants a selfie. It's a lovely feeling and I never get fed up with it," he said. He even recounted a fan in the Maldives who recognised him and called out their famous catchphrase.
From a potential Shakespearean turn ("To me, or not to me, that is the question?") to being approached for a selfie by Liam Gallagher, Paul Chuckle's career has been full of unexpected moments. As he looks forward to the release of Fall to the Top on streaming platforms later this year, one thing is clear: his connection with the public, built on decades of laughter, remains as strong as ever.
