An Interview with Paul Chuckle Ahead of Beauty and the Beast at Hull New Theatre
Showbusiness legend Paul Chuckle returns to Hull New Theatre this Christmas for Beauty and the Beast. He sat down for a chat with Roger Crow, and discussed the art of good panto, why the return to Hull is such an emotional experience, and how he went from rib-tickling to rib-cracking in Benidorm.
Hello Paul. I’m guessing there’s no script for Beauty and the Beast yet, but the beauty of panto is the improv isn’t it?
No script yet, but yes, I’ve got all my own routines anyway, including my opening routine.
It’s in your blood isn’t it?
Yeah, especially the stuff that I did with Barry.
It must be quite emotional coming back to Hull after you had to cancel your 2018 panto.
It really was, because we were supposed to be here, in Hull, that year. It was August, 2018 he passed away. So there’s no way I could’ve come here on my own, for the audience that I bought tickets to see me and Barry.
I’ve done quite well resisting that four-word catchphrase. Do you ever get tired of it?
No, not at all. When people stop doing it, I won’t be working anymore. But I’m as busy as ever. I do nightclubs DJing and all that.
Paul Chuckle in character for Hull New Theatre’s pantomime
“Give it your all”
How many pantos have you done over the years?
When me and Barry were here it was our 49th pantomime. We classed it as our 50th because one year, 1972, we did Barnsley, and then we did the last three weeks at Bradford Alhambra, because Edmunds and Elliott, I think it was a double act, had got a gig in Australia, so they asked us to take over for three weeks. So we classed that was two pantomimes that year. But it was the year after, the 50th, Nottingham. This is my 59th now.
What is the secret to a great pantomime?
Comedy, laughs. If people go away laughing, whether the story is rubbish or whatever it is, if they’ve had a good laugh and they’ve enjoyed it…”
Are you looking forward to working with Sue Cleaver, a genuine Coronation Street legend?
Yeah absolutely. She’s done 25 years on it. We only did 23 years of ChuckleVision. She said” Well, it’s not a competition is it?’”
Careerwise where and when were your happiest and why?
I think when they gave us a Bafta, You know when you’re being patted on the back by your peers? That was a really nice one. Doing the Children’s Royal Variety in the early 90s as well. And obviously doing the Royal Variety; we did a couple of sketches with David Walliams. Meeting then-Prince Charles and now the King. I got a picture of me holding his hand with two hands, and he said to me: ‘What did you actually do in the show?’
What advice would you offer to a younger actor that wants to get into show business?
Give it your all, 100% whenever you go out on stage, you’ve got to give it at least 100%. Doing pantomimes for instance, if the theatre is not full and it feels a bit flat, not to go out feeling a bit flat. Give it 100% like you would if it’s full.
Paul with On: Magazine’s Roger Crow
“Fun place”
What have you got planned for 2026? A well-deserved holiday?
Oh yeah, we love our holidays. We’ve had four this year. We’re off to Dubai next week for two weeks, which is great.
We went to Benidorm after bingeing the TV show, and you were in it weren’t you?
Oh yeah the TV show. It’s great isn’t it. Such a fun place. We were stuck because I fell and broke five ribs when we were filming Benidorm. It was in the hotel when I’d done the fourth day’s filming. Came out the shower, walked into the lounge, slipped and fell, water on the floor, straight on my back broke about five ribs. I had to stay on for for about three weeks because I wasn’t allowed to fly, so had to stay in Benidorm. It was great. They kept coming and saying: ‘There’s 300 euros for you’. We were out at night and guys used to come up to us for a laugh, and I’d say, ‘Oh no, no no. I’ve broken five ribs, and whatever you do, don’t make me laugh.
How do you keep your energy levels up? Have you got a secret stash of sweets?
I lay down a lot. Just have a good lay down every time I come off stage.
Beauty and the Beast can be seen at Hull New Theatre from December 10-31, 2025
The full version of this interview can be heard at podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nostalgiahhh
Adopted Yorkshireman Roger Crow developed a passion for film and TV in the 1970s and 1980s. He has been a published film and TV reviewer since the 1990s; a world travel and restaurant critic since the noughties, and for the past decade has assessed the pros and cons of live gigs and theatre productions around the UK. His ideal day would involve reviewing a performance of Bat Out of Hell, followed by a Pad Thai while being serenaded by Texas on a cruise around Europe.
crowsfeat.com; nostalgiahhh film podcast
