Paul Chuckle has swapped kids TV for a new role as violent hitman known as The Jackel in upcoming ganger movie Fall To The Top.
The 77-year-old is best known as one half of slapstick duo The Chuckle Brothers alongside late sibling Barry, who died in 2018 aged 73.
In a big change of scene Paul’s next role sees him play the killer embroiled in London’s seedy underground drug scene, with the film set to be released next year.
In snaps from the set Paul struck an intimating figure in a leather jacket and dark shades while sipping whiskey.
Director Peter Hirst told The Sun: ‘It’s heavy, it’s violent. It’s a very different side of Mr Chuckle.’
Paul Chuckle, 77, has swapped kids TV for a new role as violent hitman known as The Jackel in upcoming ganger movie Fall To The Top
The 77-year-old is best known as one half of slapstick duo The Chuckle Brothers alongside late sibling Barry (right) who died in 2018 aged 73 (pictured together in 1995)
‘I was writing it in with him in mind. I saw him on the TV and just when he smiled, I thought there was a glimpse of a dark side that has never been explored.
Before adding: ‘As soon as I reached out he was very keen. He’s been a joy to work with and actually been really good at a very different role’.
Last year Paul, who’s real name is Paul Elliott, choked back tears as he claimed his his iconic children’s show Chucklevision revived a young fan from a coma.
The comedy with it’s famous catchphrase ‘to me, to you’ aired from 1987 to 2009 – and was named best children’s BBC TV show ever in 2019.
Recalling the incident, Paul said during an appearance on This Morning: ‘We said at the time, if we do nothing else in life we have saved a little girl’s life.
‘She was a massive fan [of Chucklevision] and she was very ill and she went into a coma and she had been in one for over a week.’
He revealed the little girl’s parents had been told that if no improvement was shown within days, doctors would turn off the life support machines.
‘Doctors said [to the parents] you can talk to her, but we don’t know if she can hear you’.
He is best known as one half of slapstick duo The Chuckle Brothers alongside late sibling Barry, who died in 2018 aged 73
In a big change of scene Paul’s next role sees him play the killer embroiled in London’s seedy underground drug scene (picture with co-star Peter Hirst, left)
In snaps from the set Paul struck an intimating figure in a leather jacket and dark shades while sipping whiskey
But he couldn’t get away from his comedy roots and posed for a slew of fun-filled snaps during a break in filming
Director Peter Hirst (L) said : ‘It’s heavy, it’s violent. It’s a very different side of Mr Chuckle.’
Chucklevision, y with it’s famous catchphrase ‘to me, to you’ aired from 1987 to 2009 – and was named best children’s BBC TV show ever in 2019 (pictured together in 1995)
Paul went on to say that the fan’s distraught mum decided to tape the show’s theme tune and play it on loop next to her daughter’s bedside.
‘Then within two minutes the little girl opened her eyes and said “Is [Chucklevision] on mummy?”‘.
Paul choked back tears telling Holly and Phil: ‘Tears came out my eyes, I’m filling up now.’
The veteran entertainer Barry, whose real name was Barry Elliot, died from lung cancer in 2018.
The TV and theatre star became unwell while filming a new TV series called Chuckle Time and his health later deteriorated.
At the time Paul paid a touching tribute, saying: ‘I’ve not just lost my brother, I’ve lost my theatrical partner of many, many years and my very best friend.’
ChuckleVision was been named the greatest CBBC series of all time by the Radio Times in 2019.
In a poll of 3,000 people, ChuckleVision was named the greatest, followed by The Story Of Tracy Beaker and Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow.
Paul said at the time: ‘Thank you as you have all helped put ChuckleVision where it belongs, at number one!’
