"We said 'I love you' every day": wife's tribute to 'third Chuckle' Jimmy Patton

And Paul “Chuckle” Elliott said he was devastated at the loss of another dearly loved brother — 12 months after Barry (73) died from bone cancer.

Tributes have also been paid by Jimmy’s children, who described him as the “ultimate showman” — and comedian Jimmy Cricket said the Rotherham-born star had “taught him so much”.

The 87-year-old — part of comedy duo the Patton Brothers with fourth brother Brian — died at his home in Maltby in the early hours of Friday, July 26, with wife Amy (29) by his side.

The distraught widow, who married the entertainer in 2017, described her “darling Jimmy” as “sweet and kind”.

She said: “I love and miss him so very much. He was my world and all I lived for. We laughed every day, said ‘I love you’ every day.”

Amy said her life “crumbled” the day Jimmy died and she had felt numb ever since.

“I cared for him 24/7, which was hard at times but there was nothing I wouldn’t do for my Jimmy,” she added. “And I’d do it all over again if I was given the chance. 

“Shine bright my darling Jimmy I love you so very very much.”

Amy described life with Jimmy as “perfect” and said no-one else could have given her the confidence he had.

She added: “He’s now my guiding light and I know he will keep me on the right path.” 

Jimmy’s career spanned over 70 years, taking him to theatres up and down the country and across the world.

He was known to many as ‘the third Chuckle Brother’ after appearing on several episodes of ChuckleVision, playing the character of No Slacking.

He also appeared on TV shows alongside the Two Ronnies, Cilla Black and Vera Lynn.  

Paul said: “So few words for the loss of another dearly loved brother.” 

Jimmy’s daughter Debbie Baggott (51), who owns a dance academy on the West Midlands, said: “My dad was my guiding star, my shining light, my constant source of inspiration and the person who gave me the love of theatre and passion to perform. 

“He was the ultimate showman, made so many people happy and was a gentleman through and through. He will be missed by so many people.”

Debbie and Jimmy pictured below

His son Lee Elliott (53) added: “Dad was very much a family man and loved us all dearly despite the business having him away for large parts of the year in summer season and panto.

“He showed me what family means and nothing is more important. 

“Although he’s taken his final curtain call, I am immensely proud to call him my dad and will miss him every day.”

Jimmy Cricket said “friend and colleague” Jimmy had taught him so much about panto routines.

The funeral is expected to be a private family ceremony. Amy said the family wished to keep the cause of death private.