Paul Chuckle is reportedly being lined up to star in Celebrity Big Brother.
The CBBC legend, 76, best known for his series Chucklevision alongside his brother Barry, had been set to take part in the previous series earlier this year, but was later dropped after bosses signed Louis Walsh.
Sources claimed that following the signings of both Louis and Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary Goldsmith, it was feared the cast was ‘skewing’ in terms of age so Paul was dropped.
However, it’s now reported that Paul is being lineup for the next Celebrity edition in 2025, after the format was brought back by ITV bosses in March.
A source told The Sun: ‘After Louis and Kate Middleton’s ‘Uncle Gary’ Goldsmith were booked, the cast was skewed a little in terms of age. So Paul was dropped.
Paul Chuckle is reportedly being lined up by bosses to star in the next series of Celebrity Big Brother, after being dropped from the last series in favour of Louis Walsh
The CBBC legend, best known for his series Chucklevision alongside his brother Barry, had been set to take part in the previous series earlier this year
‘It’s early days as the Big Brother team is still busy with October’s ”civilian series” but Paul’s name is in the mix for the celeb version in March.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Paul Chuckle and ITV for comment.
Louis proved to be one of the biggest signings of CBB’s last series, causing a huge stir with his outspoken views on his celebrity pals as well as his hilarious friendship with Sharon Osbourne.
While he finished in fourth place, The X Factor judge proved to be one of the most memorable characters from the last series, with David Potts eventually crowned series champion.
The Ibiza Weekender star narrowly beat Nikita Kuzmin to the Celebrity Big Brother crown as he came in second, with Colson Smith coming in third, Louis fourth and Fern Britton in fifth place.
Meanwhile Ekin-Su Culculoglu, who was voted out 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 ‘to me, to you’ catchphrase.
Barry tragically died from cancer in 2018 at the age of 74, and since then Paul has appeared on several reality shows, including Celebrity MasterChef and The Real Marigold Hotel.
Louis proved to be one of the biggest signings of CBB’s last series, causing a huge stir with his outspoken views on his celebrity pals
In 2022, Paul revealed he once saw the ghost of his late brother, and comedy partner, Barry backstage before a show.
Barry tragically died from cancer in 2018 at the age of 74 – but Paul said his beloved older brother sent him a message from the beyond the grave as he prepared to perform alone.
Speaking to The Sun, Paul said that he saw his late brother’s ghost backstage at a pantomime, the first role where he would appear on stage alone.
As the duo’s ChuckleVision theme tune began to play, Paul says he saw his brother ‘winking’ and ‘nodding’ to give him the confidence to do it alone.
He recalled: ‘I remember standing in the wings, waiting for my entrance and the music playing.
‘Barry would be on the other side, where he would come on and he wasn’t there’.
‘But I swear I could see him to the side of the stage, and he’s nodding and winking at me. It gave me confidence to walk on stage and the audience lifted me beautifully’.
The veteran entertainer, whose real name was Barry Elliot, died from lung cancer in 2018.
Barry tragically died from cancer in 2018 at the age of 74, and since then Paul has appeared on several reality shows, including Celebrity MasterChef
According to The Mirror he was unable attend his older brother Jimmy Elliot’s wedding to Amy Phillips, a 26-year-old fan of ChuckleVision, shortly before his death.
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!’
