Barry Chuckle dead: One half of comedy duo the Chuckle Brothers dies, aged 73

His double-act partner Paul said, 'I've not just lost my brother, I've lost my best friend'

The Chuckle Brothers were famous for the children's TV show 'ChuckleVision' (Rex/Shutterstock)

Barry Chuckle, one half of comedy duo the Chuckle Brothers, has died aged 73.

Real name Barry Elliott, he had starred alongside his brother, Paul, in BBC show ChuckleVision between 1987 and 2009.

Manager Phil Dale said in a statement: "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."

His comedy partner Paul said: "I've not just lost my brother, I've lost my theatrical partner of many, many years and my very best friend."

Celebrities including rapper Tinchy Stryder and boxer Anthony Ogogo have paid tribute to the comedian on social media. Stryder described Elliott as a "funny, Down to earth, super cool, talented, humble legend," adding: "Rest in peace Barry Chuckle!".

The pair collaborated with the Rotherham-born comedians on charity single "To Me, To You (Bruv)" which was released in aid of the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust in 2014.

Barry and his brother Paul recorded 21 series of 'ChuckleVision' (PA)

David Walliams also paid tribute to the entertainer whom he branded one half of "the last link to the British musical hall tradition that gave us Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin".

Elliott's cause of death is currently unknown.

The brothers appeared on ITV talent shows Opportunity Knocks and New Faces, in 1967 and 1974 respectively. Their slapstick humour positioned them as family favourites best known for their catchphrase "To me, to you" and saw them rack up several TV appearances over the years on shows including Channel 4 reality series Celebrity Coach Trip.

The pair performed at music festival Bestival in 2015 during which they received a "hero's welcome" and in recent years made appearances at nightclubs and student events up and down the country.

In June 2018, the brothers returned to television for Channel 5 series Chuckle Time, a You've Been Framed!-style series in which the entertainers react to funny videos sent in by the British public.

In the past decade Elliot found himself at the centre of several death hoaxes forcing him to create a Facebook page to assure fans he was alive and well.

He was expected to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house with brother Paul when the new series commences on 16 August.