'To MBE, to you' - Chuckle Brother Paul honoured

Rotherham comedian and Chuckle Brother Paul Elliott has received his MBE medal from King Charles III for his charitable work.

Elliott, along with his late brother Barry, made nearly 300 episodes of their TV show ChuckleVision in the 1990s and 2000s.

Barry died from bone cancer aged 73 in 2018 and was given end-of-life care by Marie Curie nurses. Elliott, 78, has been a prominent supporter and ambassador for the charity.

He said fundraising for the cancer charity had been a "privilege" and described receiving the honour at Windsor Castle as a "huge surprise".

Following the ceremony, Elliott said: "I'm absolutely over the moon.

"It was mine and Barry's privilege to support Marie Curie together for all those years until he died, and it's been my pleasure to keep supporting them ever since."

The comedy duo started performing to friends and family in their garden before starring on Opportunity Knocks as The Chuckles in 1967.

Generations of children grew up with their ChuckleVision catchphrase, "To me, to you", with the accident-prone brothers causing TV chaos everywhere they went.

Asked whether he was tempted to reference the catchphrase when collecting his medal, Elliott said: "I was at one point, and thought, 'I'd better not'.

"I don't think he watches ChuckleVision."

In March, Elliott travelled across the UK on the Daff Bike - a Marie Curie-branded version of the Chuckle Bike - to raise money for the charity.

When asked about the importance of the charity, he said: "They're just wonderful people, not just looking after the person who was dying but the family around them.

"That's the main thing. They might give you a big hug around you, because everybody needs a hug when they're losing somebody."

Actor Sir Idris Elba was one of several other stars to receive honours on Tuesday.

There was also a knighthood and damehood for Olympic champions Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean, for services to ice skating and to voluntary service.

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