Strictly Come Dancing’s spooktacular Halloween week saw plenty of surprises, including the first 40 of the series for Lewis Cope.
But the biggest shock of Saturday night for some viewers came when they spotted a beloved comedy icon watching on from the studio audience.
As host Tess Daly introduced Karen Carney and Carlos Gu ahead of their Peaky Blinders-themed Argentine Tango, several fans noticed none other than Paul Chuckle sat a few rows behind the judges.
The actor, 78, is best known as one half of slapstick duo The Chuckle Brothers alongside late sibling Barry, who died in 2018 aged 73.
The British legend, whose real name Paul Elliot, went unnoticed by most as he sat amongst the crowd, but eagle-eyed viewers that clocked him were quick to share the sighting on social media.
And Paul himself soon took to his own X account to confirm that it was him in the audience, as he praised Saturday’s show as ‘fabulous’.
The biggest shock of Strictly Come Dancing’s spooktacular Halloween week for some viewers came when they spotted a beloved comedy icon watching on from the studio audience
As host Tess Daly introduced Karen Carney and Carlos Gu ahead of their Peaky Blinders-themed Argentine Tango, several fans noticed none other than Paul Chuckle sat a few rows behind the judges
The actor, 78, is best known as one half of slapstick duo The Chuckle Brothers alongside late sibling Barry, who died in 2018 aged 73 (seen with Barry in 2008)
He tweeted: ‘Not a very flattering photo but yes it was me and what a fabulous show @bbcstrictly’.
Taking to X to react to the unexpected cameo, fans quipped that they needed ‘Chucklevision’ to spot him and voiced their delight at seeing the comedian.
Many begged for Paul to return as a contestant on the next series, while others jokingly declared it a ‘scandal’ that he wasn’t sat on the front row.
They wrote: ‘Did I just see Paul Chuckle on Strictly?’; ‘Hey yo Paul Chuckle is in the audience’; ‘Making sure no one was slacking’.
‘Sorry is that Paul Chuckle??’; ‘I wish the BBC understood just how much of an absolute legend Paul is and given him front row seats.’
‘who ever spotted that has Chuckle vision’; ‘Paul Chuckle for Strictly next year?’; ‘I guess the cats outs of the bag! Congrats on getting the hosting gig!’
‘That ‘tache is recognisable anywhere!’; ‘Hopefully they get you on next year’; ‘He looks like Paul Chuckle to you. To me, he also looks like Paul Chickle now that you mention it.’
‘My housemate just spotted Paul Chuckle in the crowd with an attention to detail I’ve come to expect only from Craig Revel Horwood’; ‘Should be on the next series, priceless’.
The British legend, whose real name Paul Elliot, went unnoticed by most as he sat amongst the crowd, but eagle-eyed viewers that clocked him were quick to share the sighting on social media (seen November last year)
And Paul himself soon took to his own X account to confirm that it was him in the audience, as he praised Saturday’s show as ‘fabulous’
Taking to X to react to the unexpected cameo, fans quipped that they needed ‘Chucklevision’ to spot him and voiced their delight at seeing the comedian
‘Think I saw Chuckle Brother Paul in the audience behind the judges’; ‘Legend. Should be on the front row.’; ‘I expect to see you on the dance floor next year. ‘
‘What a scandal, why is he not in the front row?’; ‘Gotta be hasnt it! Good spot though’; ‘@PaulChuckle2 spotted in the wild!’
It’s not the first time that Paul has been spotted in the Strictly audience watching the action on the dance floor.
Back in October 2023, he was seen beaming and applauding broadcaster Angela Rippon after she finished performing her Argentina Tango routine with pro partner Kai Widdrington.
It comes after Ellie Goldstein became the latest celebrity to be sent packing from Strictly as Balvinder Sopal survived her third dance-off.
Sunday’s Strictly results show saw Ellie and her partner Vito Coppola leave the competition following a dance off against Balvinder and Julian Caillon.
Ellie and Vito took to the floor first to perform their Tango to Abracadabra by Lady Gaga once more, followed by Balvinder and Julian’s Rumba to Stay by Shakespears Sister.
The judges were unanimous in their decision, with Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse all choosing to save Balvinder – who has already faced two dance-offs against Ross King and Chris Robshaw.
Many begged for Paul to return as a contestant on the next series, while others jokingly declared it a ‘scandal’ that he wasn’t sat on the front row
Back in October 2023, he was seen beaming and applauding broadcaster Angela Rippon after she finished performing her Argentina Tango routine with pro partner Kai Widdrington (pictured)
Head Judge Shirley Ballas – who this week was the judge with the casting vote – said that she would have also chosen to save Balvinder and Julian however added that she thought Ellie ‘was also outstanding throughout the whole competition’.
When asked about how much she enjoyed dancing with Vito, Ellie said: ‘I’ve enjoyed it so much! He is a kind person and all I wanted from day one.
‘You have been so heartwarming, thank you to you [Vito].’
In an emotional speech, Vito turned to Ellie and said: ‘Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you and you did really change my life so much. You made me such a better person.
‘At the beginning of this year, I said to myself please, please, please can you send me a beautiful angel into my life? And now you arrived. I’ve never had a little sister but I always wanted one.
‘Now, I have you and you’re my little sister forever, and your big brother is always by your side.’
It comes after Ellie Goldstein became the latest celebrity to be sent packing from Strictly as Balvinder Sopal survived her third dance-off
Sunday’s Strictly results show saw Ellie and her partner Vito Coppola leave the competition following a dance off against Balvinder and Julian Caillon (seen)
In an emotional speech, Vito turned to Ellie and said: ‘Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you and you did really change my life so much’
Sunday night’s results show featured a performance of How to be Human by Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns after the release of her album.
Cat’s performance was accompanied by a routine from professional dancers Michelle Tsiakkas and Nancy Xu.
While the Strictly Professionals also performed a devilish Monsters’ Ball group routine.
The remaining nine couples will take to the dancefloor on Saturday, while Sunday’s results show will see the professionals joined by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment to mark Remembrance Sunday.
