Chuckle Brother Paul baffled after Rotherham Council’s snubs Advertiser’s bid for Chuckle Square tribute

The Advertiser’s Chuckle Square petition gained hundreds of signatures in support of the tribute where Howard Street crosses Effingham Street.

But Rotherham Borough Council scrutiny chairman Cllr Brian Steele (below) announced on Wednesday that the bid was being dismissed.

After we presented our case to the scrutiny board, members deliberated in private before voting against our suggestion to honour Barry and Paul Elliott.

Instead, they said a children’s play area or street might be named after the brothers in Maltby. Cllr Steele said this was because “the brothers and their families are from Maltby”.

This suggestion puzzled Paul (71) — who said: “I was born and brought up in Rotherham so why Maltby?

“Cllr Brian Steele has got his facts wrong. We were born and bred in Rotherham — Masbrough then East Herringthorpe until I was 21 and Barry was 24. I only lived in Maltby on and off for a maximum of 11 years.”

Paul, who called the decision “unbelievable”,  also revealed that the brothers had an uneasy relationship with the council — going back to when they were told to leave the town hall steps when filming an episode of ChuckleVision.

Advertiser editor Andrew Mosley said: “This seems like another massive council PR own goal and a missed opportunity. Let’s face it, Rotherham town centre needs a good news story.

“Chuckle Square would have also ensured the legacy of the brothers was secured as future generations visited the town and researched just who the Chuckle Brothers were.

“It could have been used as a community space and meeting place. Children’s entertainment could have been staged in Chuckle Square, which would have brought people into the town centre.

“It must also feel like a slap in the face for Barry and Paul and all they have done to put Rotherham on the map.”

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion called the move a “bad decision” by RMBC.

Opposition RMBC member Cllr Adam Carter said: “At a time when Rotherham seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons, it’s yet another example of the council doing the wrong thing for the borough.

“The Chuckle Brothers have given great service to put Rotherham on the map and improve Rotherham’s reputation over the years in the world of entertainment. They deserve to be recognised and I hope the council will reconsider this.”

Chuckle superfan Shaun Hope (47), who lives in the North East and has a £25,000 collection of memorabilia, said: “I can’t believe that Chuckle Square has been turned down.

“It would have brought a lot of curious people into the town. It’s an absolutely clueless decision. I bet the councillors would be happy to have streets named after them.”