A GAINFORD bus driver with an uncanny resemblance to entertainer Paul Chuckle came face-to-face with his doppelganger.
John Simpson has gained fame with his passengers due to his likeness to Paul, who made his name as one half of the Chuckle Brothers.
Thanks to an early birthday present from his wife Denise, John was able to meet Paul when he put on a DJ set at Fishburn Live, on June 15.
John was immediately spotted among the crowd, with some people even asking when he was going to take to the stage.
John said: “The compere himself picked me out of the audience straight away. Then people were coming up and having a few photographs taken.”
He was also noticed by a security officer at the event.
John said: “He said come over here and we went backstage. I felt quite privileged really. Denise couldn’t have given me a better birthday present, it was brilliant.”
Behind the scenes the pair spoke about Paul’s late comedy partner Barry Chuckle.
John first met Paul and Barry Chuckle in 2014 at the Hippodrome in Darlington, but the resemblance was not evident at that time. John said: “There wasn’t anything happening. Nobody had said anything back then. I find it very strange.”
It was during a trip to Blackpool in 2020 that people first started noticing the resemblance.
He added: “I just used to laugh it off, but then people started saying it more often and it all blew up when I went to Blackpool.
“I thought it would die off but it hasn’t, it’s just gone on and on.”
A frequent visitor to the resort, John has befriended some of the tribute acts that perform during the Kings and Queens of Rock, Pop and Roll event.
John said: “They mention me, ask me to stand up and then the spotlight is put on me, and people get their photographs taken. It puts a smile on people’s faces.
His fame in Gainford recently caught the attention of the village’s mysterious Naughty Knitters, who created a mini version which was placed on top of a post box ahead of the village show.
The smaller version has become known as Little Chuckle.
John said: “He goes with me everywhere, even to Blackpool. He has become more famous than I have.”
