Chuckle Brother Paul Elliott visits Stamford to raise money for Marie Curie

Shoppers had their heads turned by a childhood icon during a busy market day in Stamford.

Paul Elliott, best know as one half of the Chuckle Brothers, visited the town today (Friday) to support a charity close to his heart.

Volunteers were out in force to raise money for Marie Curie and having experienced the charity's work himself, Paul was only too keen to help out.

And there's no doubt his presence boosted the coffers as he attracted fans from yesteryear, keen to grab a selfie with their childhood hero.

Jenny Tansley, from Marie Curie's Stamford Fundraising Group, said: "To have someone like Paul here to support us is amazing.

"He was my idol as a child so it's absolutely brilliant to have him on board and to help raise the profile of Marie Curie.

"I know from experience how much of a difference they make. The nurses are like an angel coming in at such an awful time and just giving you that bit of support and a moment to breathe."

Paul and Jenny were joined by other volunteers from the fundraising group, staff from Easement Solutions Limited of Stamford and representatives from Wright Care at Home.

Paul had travelled to Stamford from his home in Stretton, Rutland.

He sold the family home in Doncaster seven years ago with a view to moving to France. ChuckleVision had been off air for a few years and his family saw it as a chance to start a new chapter in their lives.

But work picked up after the brothers collaborated with Tinchy Stryder on a charity single and the plans were put on hold.

Last summer Paul and his family moved to Rutland, a place he describes as "a beautiful part of the world", although it's unlikely to become his forever home with plans to eventually move closer to his sons - or to retire on a sunny beach somewhere.

It was Paul's move to the area saw him team up with Marie Curie's Stamford Fundraising Group to raise money for the daffodil appeal.

He has been a supporter of the charity for many years, eventually becoming an ambassador in 2016.

Paul said: "I remember watching something on television about the daffodil appeal. I had 64,000 followers on Twitter at the time and put out an appeal asking for each of them to donate a pound.

"Marie Cure got in touch with me and I've supported them ever since."

The charity supports patients and their families with end of life care.

Paul has first-hand experience of their work, most recently when his brother Barry died of bone cancer in 2018.

He said: "I've always admired the work they do. In his last week, nurses from the Rotherham hospice visited Barry a couple of times a day. They manage to make everyone feel good and always have a smile on their faces.

"I like to think I'm doing something to help Marie Curie in the same way they helped me and my family."

Paul and Barry first found fame performing as The Harman Brothers when they won the television talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1967. It was followed by success on New Faces in 1974 but they are most well-known for their children's television.

ChuckleVision ran for 292 episodes between 1987 and 2009. Those fans are now in their 30s and 40s but still recall the famous "to me, to you" catchphrase decades later.

The pair were recording a new series for Channel 5 in 2018 just before Barry died.

Paul said: "I had never worked separately from Barry, but just before he passed away he told me that I had to carry on.

"I performed in a pantomime that Christmas. I remember looking across the stage from the wings and it was the first time that no-one was on the other side.

"Barry didn't believe in the afterlife, but I do and I could almost see him standing there nodding and winking at me, asking if I was OK.

"I never used to dream about Barry before he died, but now he's in my dreams all the time and I believe it's his way of telling me that I was right and there is an afterlife."

Paul has gone on to appear in Doctors and The Real Marigold Hotel. He'll also be filming a second series of The Madame Blanc Mysteries this summer.

He makes regular appearances at universities and holiday parks, and often DJs in nightclubs.

He's even releasing a house track on Easter Monday and is about to start work on an animated version of ChuckleVision.

"I just love it. If I'm honest I'd prefer to be living on a beach somewhere, but I just take life as it comes.

"You never know if it's your last day or the start of another 30 years."

Paul rounded off his visit to the town with lunch at The George.

With his help, the Stamford fundraising group expects to have raised £3,000 from its nine collections this month.

Treasurer Nigel Baylem said: "It's the first time I have had a celebrity come along but it has been great. We are always well supported but this will definitely help."

To get involved with fundraising for Marie Curie, call Lauren Alexander on 07525 801531.