TV favourite Barry Chuckle has sadly passed away, aged 73.
The entertainer, real name Barry Elliott (left in picture above), was one half of comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers alongside brother Paul.
In a statement, Paul 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.”
Fans of the duo have been quick to pay their respects online, with many reminiscing about watching the pair on TV growing up.
“RIP Barry Chuckle. As a kid I absolutely loved getting in from school and watching #Chucklevision,” one wrote.
Another posted in tribute: “R.I.P., Barry Chuckle. You were a big part of my childhood and you meant a lot to me (to you, to me, to you…).”
“RIP Barry Chuckle. Childhood memories watching Chucklevision #ToMeToYou” posted one more user.
The Chuckle Brothers recently made their first new TV series in almost a decade, appearing in new Channel 5 show Chuckle Time.
Airing on Saturday nights, it was their first show since ChuckleVision ended after over 20 years on air back in 2009.
Channel 5 said: “Channel 5 is saddened to hear of the passing of Barry Chuckle. As one half of the Chuckle Brothers, Barry entertained audiences over a career spanning decades; more recently, Chuckle Time was a teatime family treat on our channel. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
They also popped up in the latest series of ITV comedy Benidorm, and had even been linked to this summer’s Celebrity Big Brother cast.
Barry said earlier this year: “I’d probably do Celebrity Big Brother. We were asked and they were talking to us about it but nothing came of it.
“I think they thought we weren’t nasty enough.”
The pair had first began their careers on 1960s talent show Opportunity Knocks and later New Faces in 1974.
