Chuckle brother ‘surprised’ at Travis allegations

ONE of the Chuckle Brothers has told a court it was “a complete surprise” to hear claims veteran DJ Dave Lee Travis, from Buckinghamshire, indecently assaulted a stage hand at a pantomime they were starring in.
The Chuckle Brothers, Barry (left) and Paul Elliott, arrive at Southwark Crown CourtThe Chuckle Brothers, Barry (left) and Paul Elliott, arrive at Southwark Crown Court
The Chuckle Brothers, Barry (left) and Paul Elliott, arrive at Southwark Crown Court

Children’s entertainers Paul and Barry Elliott, originally from Rotherham, starred alongside Travis in a production of Aladdin in the early 1990s, London’s Southwark Crown Court heard.

Travis, who was playing “evil uncle” Abanazar in the show, is accused of indecently assaulting a female crew member in his theatre dressing room during the panto’s run.

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The woman, who was 21 at the time of the alleged incident, has previously told the court her ordeal ended when they were interrupted by one of the Chuckle Brothers walking past in the corridor.

Giving evidence, Paul Elliott, 66, was asked by Stephen Vullo, defending Travis, whether he recalled any inappropriate behaviour by the former Radio 1 star.

Mr Elliott replied: “No, sorry, I don’t. As I say it was a complete surprise.”

Mr Elliott, who starred in BBC children’s television series Chucklevision alongside his brother Barry, said Travis was “very professional” during the panto.

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Asked whether he was aware of any formal or informal arrangement to chaperone female staff members around Travis, Mr Elliott replied: “Not that I recall, not at all. I think I would remember.”

Mr Elliott said he and his brother would have been made aware of such a policy as they were “top of the bill”.

The comedian said he did not recall any particular incident when a female stage hand had left Travis’s dressing room.

During his evidence, Mr Elliott was warned by Judge Anthony Leonard after using the word “we” to recall his time in the panto. “Please bear in mind it’s your memories we’re after,” the judge said.

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Travis, 68, is accused of indecently assaulting 10 women and sexually assaulting another in incidents dating back to 1976 and the height of his fame.

Appearing in court under his birth name David Griffin, the alleged offences occurred when he was working as a BBC DJ, as a broadcaster with Classic Gold radio, while appearing on Top Of The Pops and when starring in panto.

He denies all the charges.

Travis listened to the proceedings in the dock with the aid of earphones.