ChuckleVision was another absolute classic of British children’s TV from the 1990s that continued running into the 21st Century finally finishing in 2009
- Stars: The show featured the comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers – Barry and Paul Chuckle.
- Premise: Each episode was a standalone story, usually involving the brothers attempting some job, task, or adventure—and inevitably failing in a ridiculous, slapstick way. Chaos, misunderstandings, and physical comedy were constants.
- Catchphrases:
- “To me, to you!” – usually shouted when moving objects or passing things awkwardly – a catchphrase that still lives on strongly with many viewers of the program even now
- “Oh dear, oh dear!” – their classic exasperation line.
- Format: The show ran for an impressive total of 21 series from 1987 to 2009, making it one of the longest-running British children’s sitcoms. Each episode was roughly 20–25 minutes long.
- Humor style: Slapstick, visual gags, pratfalls, and wordplay. No real plot continuity—each episode was a self-contained mini disaster.
ChuckleVision was famous for never having a fully “successful” episode, because the humor came from the Paul and Barry’s endless bungling and persistence despite repeated failure.
Fun fact: Some episodes featured running gags like accidental destruction of shops, gardens, or even farm animals—a bit like the British equivalent of a kid-friendly Three Stooges.
The Brothers
Paul Chuckle
Paul Chuckle was one half of the legendary Chuckle Brothers duo!
- Full Name: Paul Elliott, but professionally known as Paul Chuckle.
- Born: December 7, 1947, in Rotherham, England.
- Role: In ChuckleVision, Paul usually played the slightly more cautious, sometimes exasperated brother (though both were clumsy). His comedy partner was his older brother Barry Chuckle.
- Catchphrases: Paul was known for shouting the classic lines alongside Barry, especially:
- “To me, to you!”
- “Oh dear, oh dear!”
- Career:
- Along with Barry, Paul performed on stage, TV, and in pantomimes for decades.
- He specialised in slapstick comedy, pratfalls, and physical gags.
- They became iconic for their clean, family-friendly humor.
- Passing of Barry: Sadly, Barry Chuckle passed away in August 2018. Paul has since honored their legacy through appearances, interviews, and occasional performances.
Paul had a gentle, mischievous charm that balanced Barry’s more exuberant antics—together, their timing made ChuckleVision unforgettable.
Barry Chuckle
- Full Name: Barry David Elliott, professionally Barry Chuckle.
- Born: December 24, 1944, in Rotherham, England.
- Role in ChuckleVision: Barry was usually the more energetic, enthusiastic, and mischievous brother—often the one who instigated chaos. While Paul was cautious, Barry tended to dive headfirst into disaster.
- Catchphrases: Like Paul, he shared the classic lines:
- “To me, to you!”
- “Oh dear, oh dear!”
- And sometimes his iconic laugh or exaggerated reactions were a signature in themselves.
- Career:
- Alongside Paul, Barry performed on stage, TV, and in pantomimes for decades.
- Known for his slapstick humor, pratfalls, and perfectly timed physical comedy.
- Barry and Paul were beloved for their clean, family-friendly style.
- Legacy:
- Barry passed away on August 5, 2018 aged 74, which was a huge loss to British comedy.
- Fans remember him for his infectious energy, charm, and the way he could make even the simplest mishap hilarious.
Barry was the “spark” to Paul’s “steady hand,” and together they created a comedy chemistry that’s still celebrated decades later.
