Culture

Chuckle time with Paul and Barry

In our Summer Comedy Special, the biggest comedy legends of old share their favourite gags and funny stories

Why do we like to be by the seaside? Apart from the sun (occasionally) and donkey-strewn sand, it is the ‘end-of-the-pier’ stand-ups who stand out. These staples of summer seasons still populate the nation’s collective memory so we thought we’d bring together some of the greats for our Summer Comedy Special.

Slapstick supremos Paul and Barry Elliott, better known as The Chuckle Brothers, won Opportunity Knocks in 1967 but the chuckles subsided until they resurfaced on kids’ TV with Chuckle Hounds in 1985. From there ChuckleVision was born and the iconic show ran for 21 series.

Here they tell us about a memorable incident that happened during the making of ChuckleVision

“One late autumn day we were filming for the BBC on our series ChuckleVision in a large field near a British army base. There was a cinder path on the outside of the field and around the building that the cameras were set up in. The director shouted “action” and we started the scene as the cameras and sound (on a boom mic) followed us.

“Suddenly we heard the very loud crunching of boots. As we turned around we saw a platoon from the army being put through their paces.

“As we looked at them, they looked at us, and the sergeant’s booming shout suddenly changed from “LEFT” (crunch as the boots went down!) to “To Me (Crunch) To You (Crunch)” and the squaddies all joined in to great laughter.

“We have never forgotten the day and we hope they haven’t as it was one of those magical unexpected moments!”

In our Summer Comedy Special some of the biggest comedy legends share their favourite gags and funny stories with us.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Helen Lederer: 'There was no room for more women on TV in the 80s and 90s, the slots were taken'
Letter To My Younger Self

Helen Lederer: 'There was no room for more women on TV in the 80s and 90s, the slots were taken'

Jingoism of Rule, Britannia! has long felt shameful. Is it finally time for BBC Proms to axe it?
A 1990s BBC Proms in the Park concert
Music

Jingoism of Rule, Britannia! has long felt shameful. Is it finally time for BBC Proms to axe it?

Blue Lights co-creator Declan Lawn on 'massive responsibility of telling Belfast's stories'
Martin McCann as Stevie Neil, Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis, Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon, Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster
TV

Blue Lights co-creator Declan Lawn on 'massive responsibility of telling Belfast's stories'

Top 5 books on future tech and video game fiction, chosen by star YA author Triona Campbell
Books

Top 5 books on future tech and video game fiction, chosen by star YA author Triona Campbell

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know