Paul and Barry Elliott, the real life brothers better known to millions as The Chuckle Brothers, have worked in almost every area of entertainment. Their unique style and family based humour is synonymous with the stage and television appearances that still take up most of their time. The 2006 show, ‘CINDERELLA’ in Hull was, incredibly, their 40th consecutive pantomime.
That is a long way from their childhood days in Rotherham when they put on shows for friends in their back garden. Since then it has been a demanding but satisfying journey. After treading the boards in many summer seasons and pantomimes, they got their first national recognition. They won the TV talent show ‘NEW FACES’ (a forerunner of The X Factor) though still continued to hone their skills. Such was their dedication they even appeared in an Ice show and a Circus.
But it was as two costumed characters in a series called ‘THE CHUCKLEHOUNDS’, that they launched their television career. The success of the series convinced the BBC that the brothers had more to offer. The costumes disappeared, ‘CHUCKLEVISION’ hit the screens and the reaction was fantastic. Since then generations of children have grown up with the show which is now in its twentieth year. The 1998 show was nominated for a Children’s BAFTA award and today’s shows are as popular as ever, still commanding a prime time viewing slot.
During the mid nineties Paul and Barry also recorded three series of their own TV game show including a Christmas special. Aptly titled ‘To Me, To you’ it was named after the brother’s legendary catchphrase. For the last ten years they have toured the UK with their own shows. The 1996 ‘Live and in Trouble’ tour attracted capacity audiences at 35 venues and subsequent tours have seen increased theatre demand, with audiences enjoying our heroes’ experiences based on a theme. Some of those self styled productions have been special: ‘RAIDERS OF THE LOST BARK’, ‘STAR DOORS’ and BARRY POTTY AND HIS SMARTER BROTHER PAUL IN THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS’ were particular favourites of fans. Last year’s ‘DOCTOR WHAT AND RETURN OF THE GARLICS’ was the most successful to date playing to 63 venues. The summer season that follows usually takes in the traditional seaside resorts of Blackpool, Skegness, Great Yarmouth and Scarborough. In these shows the brothers often appear at the traditional Pier theatres, regularly to capacity audiences which is difficult for any act to achieve these days. This sort of appeal again confirms the Chuckles’ national popularity.
And there have been some unforgettable pantomimes, in 1996 they starred in Britain’s biggest pantomime ‘MOTHER GOOSE’ in Birmingham and the 2004 production at the Manchester Opera House ‘DICK WHITTINGTON’ was a box office record. During the run of the 2006 show in Hull they received a 40th birthday cake from the theatre to celebrate their outstanding career achievements.
2006 also saw the brothers as guests in TV’s CELEBRITY WEAKEST LINK’ when they finished a close second. It is no surprise that 2007 was to be busier than ever but Paul and Barry show no signs of slowing down! The boys have just finished performing in their 2008 tour ‘INDIANA CHUCKLES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE MYTHICAL SULK’ They look forward to appearing in ‘ALADDIN’ at The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend in December.
Chuckle Brothers
