The entertainer Barry Chuckle, one half of the comedy duo the Chuckle Brothers, has died aged 73, his manager has said.

“It is with great sadness that the family announce that Barry passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Ann and all his family,” said Phil Dale.

Chuckle, whose real surname was Elliott, came from a family of entertainers and rose to stardom with his brother Paul in the late 1980s, becoming synonymous with the phrase “to me, to you”. He died at home surrounded by his family, including his wife Ann.

Following his death Paul said: “I’ve not just lost my brother, I’ve lost my theatrical partner of many, many years and my very best friend.”

It has since emerged that Elliott had been suffering from ill-health for more than six months before his death.

A family statement said: “There will be no further comment at the moment and it would be much appreciated if the privacy of Barry’s family is respected at this most difficult time.” It said he had left “50 years of laughter as his legacy, which is something very special”.