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To Me... To You...
To Me... To You...
To Me... To You...
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To Me... To You...
GenreChildren's game show
Presented byChuckle Brothers
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes41 (inc. 2 Christmas specials)
Production
Running time25 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC1
Release21 June 1996 (1996-06-21) –
25 December 1998 (1998-12-25)

To Me... To You... is a British children's game show created for the BBC, which ran for three series between 21 June 1996 to 25 December 1998. The programme was presented by comedians Barry and Paul Elliott in their roles as the Chuckle Brothers and focused on two pairs of young children competing for prizes and taking part in various mini-games during the course of an episode. In addition to the presenters, the programme also included a series of celebrities, many involved in children's television during that period.

Format

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As a children's game show, the programme is set on a fictional tropical island known as Chuckle Island, owned by the Chuckle Brothers. In each episode, two teams of two children compete against each other to win as many prizes offered by the programme. After playing a game to decide who begins first, each team takes it in turns to roll a dice and move a trolley carrying a set of prizes on it across a large board of 17 spaces consisting of a start space where the teams begin, a home space for each team, and a series of special spaces. The goal of the game is for a team to move the trolley onto their respective home space to claim the prizes on it  – including those earned from correctly answering questions on prize spaces  – whereupon the trolley is reset to the start with a new set of prizes. On each team's turn, one contestant rolls a die, which determines how many spaces the trolley is moved and whether is towards or away from their home space  – if a team lands on a double space, their opponents' roll is doubled.

At times, the teams undertake special games via a randomizer system that becomes active for the team in control either when they land on a "?" space or at specific points in the episode. In these games, the team playing the game must complete a challenge to win a coconut  – which they can also earn from prize spaces  – with some games featuring a special celebrity guest that have been involved in children's television at the time of broadcast  – these have included Richard McCourt (better known as "Dick" of Dick and Dom), Mark Speight, Dave Benson-Phillips, Paul Zerdin, Michaela Strachan, Dave Chapman better known as "Otis the Aardvark" and Mr. Blobby. One episode had Terrence Hardiman as The Demon Headmaster and another had Jimmy Patton as No Slacking. The game ends after a ferry horn sounds, at which points the teams earn the prizes they won, with the team having the most coconuts at the end earning a special prize from that episode's celebrity guest.

Transmissions

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Series

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Series Start date End date Episodes
1 21 June 1996[1] 13 September 1996[2] 13
2 27 June 1997[3] 19 September 1997[4] 13
3 8 April 1998[5] 15 July 1998[6] 13

Christmas Specials

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Date
23 December 1997[7]
25 December 1998[8]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

To Me... To You...

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
To Me... To You... was a British children's hosted by the duo Paul and Barry Elliott, known as the , which aired on from 21 June 1996 to 25 December 1998. The programme featured teams of two young contestants competing on a fictional desert island setting for prizes and "coconuts" as points, involving physical challenges such as the Chuckle Challenge and Chuckle Chuck, often with interference or assistance from celebrity guests including and . It ran for three series and two Christmas specials, comprising 39 episodes in total, and capitalized on the Chuckle Brothers' signature catchphrase "To me... to you!" from their long-running series . The show blended quiz elements, sketches, and audience participation, making it a staple of children's programming on during the late .

Background

Hosts

The Chuckle Brothers, Paul Harman Elliott (born 18 October 1947) and Barry David Elliott (born 24 December 1944), were a British comedy duo consisting of real-life siblings who rose to prominence through children's entertainment. Their early career began in the family tradition of performance, with the brothers winning the ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1967, which marked their breakthrough in variety acts. They followed this with another victory on New Faces in 1974, establishing their presence in television comedy. By the mid-1980s, they launched the BBC children's mime series Chuckle Hounds in 1985, a short-lived program that showcased their physical humor and paved the way for longer-running success. The duo achieved widespread fame as hosts and stars of the children's series , which ran from 1987 to 2009 across 22 series, solidifying their status as beloved figures in British kids' TV. Their comedic style centered on humor, elaborate visual gags, and playful , designed to captivate young audiences through exaggerated physicality and relatable mishaps. A hallmark of their act was the signature "To me, to you!", which originated from their habit of calling out the phrase while passing or lifting objects together during performances, evolving into a rhythmic chant that became synonymous with their collaborative antics. As hosts of To Me... To You... (1996–1998), the Elliotts leveraged their established rapport to engage child viewers, with Paul portraying the more authoritative "big brother" figure who attempted to maintain order amid chaos, while Barry embodied the bumbling, accident-prone sidekick whose mishaps drove the humor. This dynamic, honed over decades of joint appearances, created a brotherly interplay that felt authentic and encouraging for young audiences, encouraging participation through lighthearted encouragement and shared laughter. Barry Elliott passed away on 5 August 2018 at age 73 after a battle with cancer, leaving Paul to carry on their legacy through solo endeavors. As of 2025, Paul continues to honor their shared career with public appearances, including a dramatic role as a in the upcoming Fall to the Top and recurring guest spots on television series like .

Concept and development

_To Me... To You... was developed by the Children's department in as a children's intended to leverage the rising popularity of the , Paul and Barry Elliott, following their established success with the sitcom . The was pitched as an interactive, physical challenge format directly inspired by the duo's signature catchphrase, "To me, to you," transforming their dynamic into a competitive structure for young viewers. With no specific producer named in production records, the emphasis was placed on a low-budget, design tailored for the programming strand, ensuring accessibility and broad appeal within the BBC's children's output. The initial idea evolved through concept refinement to pilot testing in early 1996, incorporating a distinctive tropical theme dubbed "Chuckle Island" to set it apart from conventional studio-based quizzes and emphasize adventurous, outdoor-style gameplay. The series was officially commissioned for broadcast on later in 1996, with each episode structured at 25 minutes to fit scheduling and target children aged 6-12. This timeline aligned with the BBC's strategy to expand the ' brand into non-sitcom formats while maintaining their comedic essence.

Format and gameplay

Core mechanics

Each episode of To Me... To You... features two teams of two children competing against each other on a set designed as , a fictional desert island, where the serve as hosts to introduce and oversee the various challenges. The core objective is for teams to advance a central wheeled trolley loaded with prizes across a game board toward their designated "home" side, with progression determined by successful completion of tasks that test knowledge, physical skills, or coordination. The central mechanic revolves around the oversized "Mega Dice," which teams roll in turns to dictate the trolley's movement and trigger specific challenges. The die features faces colored green for "To Me" (advancing the trolley toward a team's side) or orange for "To You" (moving it away), combined with numbers indicating the number of spaces (typically 2, 3, or 4) on the board. As the trolley is pushed between stations representing different challenge areas, the hosts and contestants the show's signature , "To me... to you!", echoing the ' longstanding comedic routine from their other programs. Landing on certain board squares may activate bonus opportunities, such as stealing prizes from the opposing team or doubling moves, while others prompt immediate tasks like quizzes or physical feats. Points are awarded based on performance in these challenges, with successful outcomes earning "coconuts" as the in-game currency that teams collect to claim prizes from the trolley, such as toys, games, or gadgets. The team that accumulates the most coconuts by the episode's end, often determined when a virtual "ferry" arrives at the island, wins the contents of the trolley on their side. Failure in challenges results in penalties, such as the trolley moving backward or loss of turns, but the structure emphasizes cumulative scoring over outright elimination. The , Paul and Barry Elliott, play an integral role in facilitating the by physically assisting with the trolley's movement, demonstrating tasks, and injecting humor through their style, often turning mishaps into comedic moments. They award occasional bonus coconuts for displays of effort, creativity, or particularly funny attempts during challenges, reinforcing the show's lighthearted, tone. This host involvement ensures smooth progression while maintaining the chaotic, entertaining energy central to the format.

Mini-games and challenges

The mini-games and challenges in To Me... To You... were designed to blend physical comedy with interactive play, encouraging child contestants to engage in lighthearted tasks on the fictional Chuckle Island set. Key activities included the Chuckle Challenge, a swamp-based requiring teams to navigate muddy terrain and complete timed maneuvers, and the Chuckle Chuck, a pie-throwing game where contestants aimed custard pies at the hosts Paul and Barry Elliott within a one-minute limit—if they missed three times, the pies were redirected at the players themselves. These physical tasks highlighted perseverance and quick thinking, often resulting in humorous mishaps that amplified the show's comedic tone. Celebrity guests frequently integrated into these challenges, competing alongside or providing assistance to the young teams to outmaneuver the hosts. Notable participants included children's TV personalities like , , and , who joined for themed segments such as relay-style races or prop-based games tailored to their personas, adding an extra layer of excitement and star power. For instance, guests like Gladiators' participated in strength-based trials, helping contestants push forward in competitive rounds. The challenges emphasized , as pairs of children collaborated on tasks triggered by gameplay elements like dice rolls that advanced a prize-laden trolley across a life-sized board. This structure fostered cooperation and shared problem-solving, with the overall format remaining largely consistent across the three series from 1996 to 1998, though later episodes occasionally incorporated more elaborate props for visual flair.

Broadcast history

Series overview

To Me... To You... is a British children's that aired on within the programming block from 1996 to 1998, consisting of three regular series totaling 39 episodes. The program was hosted by the , Paul and Barry Elliott, and featured teams of children competing in physical challenges and games set on a simulated tropical studio environment. All episodes were produced in a BBC studio designed to resemble a desert , emphasizing the hosts' comedic "To me... to you..." during gameplay segments. In addition to the regular series, two standalone specials served as holiday extensions of the format. The first series premiered on 21 1996 with 13 episodes airing weekly until 20 1996. This inaugural run focused on establishing the core format of team-based competitions and the hosts' humor, drawing on their popularity from . The premiere episode introduced the island setting and basic mechanics, quickly gaining traction with young viewers and setting the tone for the show's energetic, family-friendly appeal. Series 2 aired from 27 June to 19 September 1997, also comprising 13 episodes. Building on the foundation of the first series, it featured refinements such as increased guest appearances by celebrities like Steps and , alongside enhanced production values including more dynamic set designs and varied challenges to maintain viewer engagement. The third and final regular series ran from 8 April to 15 July 1998, with 13 episodes. This season incorporated more elaborate sets and subtle wrap-up elements hinting at the program's conclusion, while continuing the tradition of guest stars and competitive games to cap the regular run on a high note.

Christmas specials

The Christmas specials of To Me... To You... adapted the show's core team-based challenges and mini-games to a theme, emphasizing festive decorations and seasonal twists while maintaining the Chuckle Brothers' comedic hosting style on the fictional Chuckle Island set. These standalone episodes aired during the Christmas period, building on the regular series format by integrating elements like holiday quizzes and gift-related prizes to appeal to family audiences. The 1997 special, a 25-minute episode, aired on 23 December at 4:10 pm on BBC One as part of Children's BBC. In this installment, hosts Paul and Barry Elliott arranged festive games for two celebrity teams: Richard Bacon paired with Emma Lee against Kirsten O'Brien and Peter Simon, with a special guest appearance by Nick McDonald from Coronation Street. Holiday elements included Christmas-themed challenges such as yule log making and island decorations, alongside references to Christmas dinner, artificial snow, and a visit from a Father Christmas figure; the episode also featured a Christmas song segment and prizes donated to charity. The 1998 special, which served as the final episode of the series, aired on 25 December at 8:35 am on and marked the end of the show's three-year run. It featured extended challenges amid winter island decor, with celebrity teams of and competing against Helen Young and ; prizes emphasized toys and gifts, incorporating mechanics like seasonal giveaways to heighten the holiday spirit. The production, filmed in advance like other episodes, included subtle emotional nods from the hosts to the series' conclusion, optimizing the content for prime-time family viewing during the festive season.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Upon its debut in 1996, To Me... To You... garnered positive initial reception for the ' energetic hosting and the show's interactive game format, which effectively engaged child viewers through humor and challenges. The program was seen as a natural extension of the brothers' established appeal in children's television, emphasizing fun and participation over competition. During its mid-run from to , feedback continued to highlight the show's strong family-oriented value, though some observers noted the challenges could feel repetitive within the desert island setting. BBC performance metrics indicated solid viewership within the CBBC schedule, contributing to its three-series run and holiday specials. However, the series did not receive major awards or nominations in children's television categories. In modern retrospectives as of , the show is fondly remembered for its lighthearted contribution to the ' legacy, with users rating it 7.8 out of 10 based on 40 reviews that commend its wholesome humor amid more sophisticated contemporary kids' programming. Tributes following Barry Elliott's passing in further underscored its role in delivering joyful, uncomplicated entertainment for young audiences.

Cultural impact

The catchphrase "To me... to you!", already popularized by the in , was incorporated into the show's gameplay mechanics involving passing items between teams and hosts, but it quickly transcended the program to become a staple of British . It is frequently invoked in everyday scenarios, such as when people collaboratively move heavy objects, evoking nostalgia for the ' slapstick style. The phrase has appeared in comedy sketches, memes, and public interactions, underscoring its role as a generational touchstone for humor in the UK. In 2014, the reinforced the catchphrase's cultural footprint through a novelty music collaboration with rapper on the track "To Me, To You (Bruv)", which blended their comedic legacy with contemporary pop, generating media buzz as a cross-generational novelty despite peaking at number 92 on the UK Singles Chart. Following Barry Chuckle's death on August 5, 2018, the show experienced a surge in appreciation, with public tributes from celebrities like and highlighting its place in family entertainment. The responded by releasing the final series of the related on iPlayer as a gesture, allowing fans to revisit the brothers' chaotic antics and preserving their niche in lighthearted, . This outpouring also featured video tributes, such as segments compiling memorable clips from their career, including To Me... To You..., to honor Barry's contributions. Nostalgia for the program fueled post-2018 fan initiatives, including Paul's 2021 crowdfunding effort to develop an animated reboot of ChuckleVision as "ChucklesWorld", which ultimately raised insufficient funds to proceed—and subsequent 2022 discussions for an animated continuation, reflecting sustained audience demand. By 2024, Paul participated in anniversary reflections, such as a tribute marking Barry's would-be 80th birthday, where he reminisced about their shared catchphrases and enduring bond. While some CBBC content from the era, such as ChuckleVision, remains available on BBC iPlayer as of 2025, episodes of To Me... To You... are not currently accessible on the platform. In 2025, Paul continued to honor his brother's legacy, including a March BBC interview reflecting on carrying on the comedy and appearing in a new gangster film role announced in September. The program's emphasis on brotherly teamwork and physical challenges helped cement the ' reputation in family-oriented entertainment, influencing perceptions of children's programming as lively, host-led affairs that prioritized fun over competition.

References

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