Kids TV legend ‘is in talks to star in Celebrity Big Brother after being dropped from the last series in favour of Louis Walsh’
Paul Chuckle is reportedly set to star in Celebrity Big Brother.
The 76-year-old CBBC legend, best known for his series Chucklevision with his brother Barry, was due to join the previous series earlier this year but was later axed after bosses signed Louis Walsh.
Sources claimed that after Gary Goldsmith, uncle of both Louis and Kate Middleton, was signed, there were concerns that the cast would be ‘skewed’ in terms of age, so Paul was dropped.
However, it is now reported that Paul is in line to return to Celebrity in 2025, after the format was brought back by ITV bosses in March.
A source said The sun: ‘After Louis and Kate Middleton’s ‘Uncle Gary’ Goldsmith were booked, the cast was a bit skewed in terms of age. So Paul was cut.
Paul Chuckle is reportedly being lined up by bosses to appear in the next series of Celebrity Big Brother after he was axed in favour of Louis Walsh in the last series.
The CBBC legend, best known for his series Chucklevision with his brother Barry, was due to join the previous series earlier this year
‘It’s still early days as the Big Brother team are still busy with the October ‘burger series’, but Paul’s name is in the running for the celebrity version in March.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Paul Chuckle and ITV for comment.
Louis proved to be one of the biggest additions to CBB’s latest series, causing quite a stir with his outspoken opinions about his celebrity friends and his hilarious friendship with Sharon Osbourne.
Despite finishing in fourth place, the X Factor judge proved to be some of the most memorable characters from the previous series. Ultimately, David Potts was crowned the series’ champion.
The Ibiza Weekender star narrowly beat Nikita Kuzmin to the Celebrity Big Brother title, coming second, followed by Colson Smith in third, Louis in fourth and Fern Britton in fifth.
Meanwhile, Ekin-Su Culculoglu, who was voted off earlier in the series, admitted she felt ‘bullied’ during her time on the show, but admitted it was her ‘own fault’.
Paul, whose real surname is Elliott, and his brother Barry were famous for their slapstick comedy show, which aired from 1987 to 2009, and their famous catchphrase ‘to me, to you’.
Barry died of cancer in 2018 at the age of 74. Since then, Paul has appeared in several reality shows, including Celebrity MasterChef and The Real Marigold Hotel.
Louis proved to be one of the biggest additions to the latest series of CBB, causing quite a stir with his outspoken opinions about his celebrity friends
In 2022, Paul revealed that he once saw the ghost of his late brother and comedy partner Barry backstage before a show.
Barry died of cancer in 2018 at the age of 74. Paul said his beloved older brother sent him a message from the afterlife as he prepared to perform alone.
Paul told The Sun that he had seen the ghost of his deceased brother backstage at a pantomime, the first role he would appear in alone on stage.
As the duo’s ChuckleVision theme tune began to play, Paul watched his brother “wink” and “nod” to give him the confidence to go it alone.
He recalls: ‘I remember standing in the wings waiting for me to come in and the music to start playing.
“Barry was on the other side, where he came up and then he wasn’t there.”
“But I swear I saw him on the side of the stage, and he nodded and winked at me. It gave me confidence to walk on stage and the crowd lifted me up beautifully.”
The veteran entertainer, whose real name was Barry Elliot, died of lung cancer in 2018.
Barry tragically passed away from cancer in 2018 at the age of 74. Since then, Paul has appeared in several reality shows, including Celebrity MasterChef.
According to The Mirror, he was unable to attend the wedding of his older brother Jimmy Elliot to Amy Phillips, a 26-year-old ChuckleVision fan, shortly before his death.
The TV and theatre star fell ill during the filming of a new TV series called Chuckle Time and his health subsequently deteriorated.
Paul then paid a moving tribute, saying: ‘I have not only lost my brother, but also my theatre partner of many, many years and my very best friend.’
ChuckleVision was named the best CBBC series of all time by the Radio Times in 2019.
In a poll of 3,000 people, ChuckleVision was voted the best, followed by The Story Of Tracy Beaker and Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow.
Paul then said, “Thank you, you all helped put ChuckleVision where it belongs: number one!”