Paul Chuckle, one half of the legendary Chuckle Brothers, has opened up about his five-decade career, his poignant memories of working with his late brother Barry, and his surprising new venture into gritty gangster cinema. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview, the comedian, whose real name is Paul Elliott, shared stories from slapstick beginnings to becoming a national treasure recognised in every supermarket aisle.
From Slapstick to Shakespeare: A Comedy Legacy
Paul Chuckle's iconic moustache, a fixture since he was 23, was sacrificed only once for charity, shaved off live during a lockdown fundraiser for Marie Curie. He credits his family's deep roots in showbusiness for his career path. His father, Gene Patton, was a visual comedian who worked with Peter Sellers, while his mother was a dancer. His older brothers, Jimmy and Brian (the Patton Brothers), were tap-dancing on Saturday night television in the 1950s and 60s.
"We were brought up in and out of the theatre all our lives," Paul explained. The Chuckle Brothers' comedy was inspired by the greats of physical slapstick, with Laurel and Hardy being particular favourites. "You can’t go wrong with visual comedy," he said. "There can’t be many people that don’t laugh at somebody falling down."
"I Miss Him Dearly": Life and Laughter with Barry
The heart of the interview was Paul's reflection on his 50-year partnership with his brother Barry, who passed away in 2018. He believes they derived even more happiness from their work together than their audience did. "Anybody that watched us live could see the fun we had on stage," he recalled. Their chemistry was genuine, with each constantly making the other laugh.
"I miss him dearly," Paul admitted. "That’s the biggest thing I miss – working with him on stage – because we did so together for over 50 years." The legacy of their show, ChuckleVision, which ran for an incredible 23 years, means Paul is still mobbed by fans. "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."
A New Chapter: Gangsters, Bond and DJ Sets
Now, Paul is embracing a dramatic shift, playing a ruthless London gangster in the upcoming film Fall to the Top. His reaction to the role was immediate: "Bring it on!" He joked that playing the bully came naturally after years of bossing Barry around in their sketches.
When asked about other acting ambitions, he entertained the idea of Shakespeare with a classic Chuckle twist: "‘To me, or not to me, that is the question?’" He also revealed he'd jump at the chance to play a retired James Bond. Away from acting, Paul is a dedicated clubber and guest DJ, with Tsunami by Dvbbs and Borgeous as his go-to floor-filler. He even expressed a desire to host Radio 1's Essential Mix.
The interview also touched on lighter moments, including the origin of the "2 metre U" COVID masks—a playful take on their catchphrase inspired by a local Co-op display—and a surprise meeting with Liam Gallagher, who eagerly posed for a selfie. Paul also confirmed that, despite his grandniece and grandnephew appearing on Gogglebox, he himself has never been asked to be on Celebrity Gogglebox.
Reflecting on the long road to fame, Paul remembered playing to just 28 people in a 1,000-seat theatre in Ashton-under-Lyne, a performance that unwittingly led to their big break. He and Barry always gave 100%, a work ethic instilled by their father. That fateful show was watched by the producers of Roger the Dog, leading to a guest spot, their popular ChuckleHounds characters, and ultimately their own iconic series.
Fall to the Top is scheduled to arrive on streaming platforms later this year, marking a bold new step for a beloved British comedian whose career, much like his supermarket trips, shows no sign of speeding up just yet.
