Barry Chuckle funeral: Fans and stars attend service at stadium

Paul Chuckle carried his brother Barry's coffin as close friends and family attended the funeral of the veteran entertainer.

The 73-year-old, whose real name was Barry Elliott, died on 5 August after a career performing as the Chuckle Brothers alongside his brother Paul Elliott.

Celebrities, friends and family attended the service at the New York Stadium in the brothers' home town of Rotherham - home of Rotherham United Football Club where Barry and Paul were honorary life presidents.

The funeral was attended by a host of stars including comedian Bernie Clifton, actress Vicki Michelle, singer Don MacLean and Linda and Maureen Nolan of the Nolan Sisters.

Comedian Roy Chubby Brown also attended.

He told Sky News: "I couldn't look at him without laughing. He was like a modern day Charlie Chaplin. He left us with some great memories and great catchphrases."

Also attending were comic Tommy Brown, clown and impressionist Charlie Cairoli and chairman of Rotherham Tony Stewart.

Scores of fans turned up to the stadium to pay their respects including Barbra Garston, 86, who said she had come to support Barry's brother, Paul.

She said: "I'd like to watch him go because he has been such a big thing for Rotherham and everywhere by making people happy.

"I've got three generations which have grown up with them. So one by one, they've all watched them. So I've been involved anyway, whether I wanted to watch them or not."

Ms Garston made a sign to bring to the stadium, which read: "To a Yorkshire lad from a Yorkshire lass, goodbye from me to you."

A young Chuckle Brothers "megafan" travelled up from Birmingham to pay his respects to Barry.

Alfie, 10, said: "I first went to see them at the pantomime in Wolverhampton around two years ago and I just became a megafan of them.

"I just love their episodes and every morning I'm watching their episodes of Chucklevision, and it has never gotten old.

"Everybody loves them. They've got a really good comedy, they're funny and they just made people laugh."

A statement from the Elliott family said: "As a family we would welcome fans to celebrate his life and pay their respects with us, outside of the New York Stadium.

"There is an event for invited family and close friends which respectfully is private and by invite only.

"We are overwhelmed with the love and support we have received over the last few days, and thank everyone concerned!"

Barry and Paul shot to fame in BBC comedy show ChuckleVision, which ran for 21 series from 1987 to 2009.