COMEDY legend Duncan Norvelle has d!ed aged 66.
Tributes have flooded in for the star who shot to fame in the 1980s with his catchphrase “Chase me!”
8
Duncan Norvelle at the London PalladiumCredit: Rex
8
Norvelle reading The Sun at his homeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
8
The comedian suffered a stroke in 2012
8
Heartfelt tributes have rolled in for the popular TV personalityCredit: Rex
His partner Linda Trevallion confirmed his passing this morning at 8.15am.
She told The Sun he d!ed from a chest infection and sepsis, but was not in any pain.
“He’s at peace and he’s made millions of people laugh in his lifetime. I’ve never heard anyone say a bad thing about him,” she said.
The couple were together for 12 years, with Linda saying he “wasn’t really showbiz, he wasn’t one for going to showbiz parties”.
She added that Norvelle was always “very gracious” with his fans, however.
And despite them never officially marrying, Linda said: “We were together like husband and wife.”
Norvelle had been living with the effects of a stroke suffered in 2012 that had left him paralysed down the left side of his body.
Linda went on to say: “I fell in love with the man, it made no difference about the stroke. I helped him, but he could do a lot for himself.”
TALENT SHOW
He was born near Loughborough in the East Midlands, and pursued a career as an entertainer after winning £20 in a talent show while on holiday in Bournemouth as a teen.
The comedian hosted the pilot episode of what would become Blind Date and made regular appearances on the likes of Surprise! Surprise! and The Bob Monkhouse Show.
In 2011 he appeared in Celebrity Come Dine With Me.
Fellow comic Steve Royle, who wrote on social media: “A comedy legend and a lovely man. I’m so lucky to have known and worked with him. Thanks for the memories mate. RIP & get Saint Peter to chase you!’
Comedian Danny Posthill wrote: “So sad to hear of the passing of Duncan Norvelle, a very funny man with the most incredible Charisma and a lovely guy to top it off. RIP Sir.’
Journalist Garry Bushell added: “So sorry to hear we have lost loveable comic Duncan Norvelle. Angels are chasing him now.”
But it wasn’t just celebrity pals paying tribute, fans have also moved to pay their respects.
One person who met Duncan said: “The God Cast has been a wonderful gift to me, and has enabled me to meet some of my favorite people. One of those people was the comedian Duncan Norvelle.
“Sadly his family have recently announced that Duncan d!ed earlier this morning.
“Duncan was incredibly gentle and kind and remains one of comedy heroes, and it was a privilege to spend some time in his company.
I send my love and prayers to Linda.
“May Duncan rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Another shared on X: “So sad to hear of the passing of Duncan Norvelle, a very funny man with the most incredible Charisma and a lovely guy to top it off. RIP Sir.”
“So sad to hear lovely Duncan Norvell passed away this morning. A comedy legend and one of the nicest people ever,” agreed someone else.
“Always had fantastic stories – RIP Duncan Norvelle.”
Jess Conrad OBE added: “I’m sorry to hear of the passing of @DuncanChaseMe. He was a fixture on the showbiz circuit for years with his famous “chase me!” catchphrase.
“Gone way too young, he will be dearly missed.”
Someone else posted under the hashtag #chaseme: “Rest in peace Duncan Norvelle another British comedy legend taken soon.”
Duncan was open about suffering a stroke in 2012 which left him paralysed down the left side of his body.
He was put into an induced coma, forced to stay in hospital for nine weeks and told he might never walk again.
But the resilient star made a come back in 2015 with a stage performance at the Embassy Theatre.
All funds were donated to the Stroke Association.
The comedian said previously: “I felt this one jolting through my entire body and it seemed to go on for ever.”
“I saw a lot of stroke patients give up and not question what the doctors were saying to them but I was determined to get better and live my life,” he added.
Before the strokes, Duncan had complained of a “terrible headache” and went to bed early.
But when he got up, he collapsed to the floor and passed out.
When he couldn’t move the left side of his body he knew what had happened.
Once he was in hospital, the TV star suffered a second stroke.
Experts at the Stroke Association revealed one in eight patients die within the first 30 days of having a stroke.
Of those who survive, one in three will be left with severe cognitive disabilities such as memory loss or language difficulties.
But Duncan was miraculously able to make a full recovery, including clear speech and only relying on a stick for support to walk.
He campaigned to raise awareness after the medical episodes.
“I would urge people to get their blood pressure checked regularly and to get help straight away if they experience sudden facial or arm weakness or slurred speech as these are all symptoms of a stroke,” he warned.
“It’s a killer and I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones,” he added.
When Linda visited him in the hospital at the start of his recovery, she was told he had a heart attack.
“When I saw him I was shocked. His face had fallen and he couldn’t lift his head from the pillow. I hadn’t realised how serious a stroke could be,” she said.
More tributes following the tragic news today read: “So sad to hear of the passing of Duncan Norvelle, a very funny man with the most incredible Charisma and a lovely guy to top it off. RIP Sir.”
A close pal said: “Duncan Norvelle has sadly passed away aged only 66 Duncan was a dear friend a great entertainer a character who was a major star on TV and live shows in theatres, Duncan you will be greatly missed.”
Another shared a length obituary on Facebook which read: “I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and Brother Water Rat Duncan Norvelle today.
“Duncan was a giant in the comedy world. He recovered and returned from a major stroke to continue to make the world laugh and he will be sadly missed.
“I remember doing many major TV shows with Duncan back in the day such as Live from the Palladium and Seaside Special and the Children’s Royal Variety Performance amongst others.
“He was a unique and original talent who always had the crowds in uproar!
“I sometimes forget that I appeared on so many TV shows with these great entertainers as a violin headliner in my own right as a very young man.
“We have lost so many… but they will never be forgotten. Love to Lynn and Duncan’s family Jasmin, Jack and Sophie at this very sad time. #chaseme.”
Someone else said they were “absolutely devastated” and said Duncan “had been unwell in recent months”.
Nevertheless, his death “has come as a shock to those of us who truly loved him”.
“Especially Penny and me who will miss his sense of humour and permanent wit,” she added.
“Now you can be without pain and paralysis and be who you really want to be.”
Duncan rose to fame on the ITV variety show Saturday Royal in the early 1980s.
In 2008 the comedian impressed fans when he went on tour with the Ricky Tomlinson Laughter Show.
He also spent the 2009 pantomime season playing Buttons in Cinderella in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
In 2011, he appeared on Celebrity Come Dine with Me with Sean Hughes, Gina Yashere and Paul Tonkinson.
Duncan was born on April 2, 1958, in Loughborough, Leicestershire.
8
Duncan and Roger De Courcey with Nookie Bear on Celebrity Squares in 1993Credit: Rex
8
Duncan suffered a stroke in 2012Credit: Rex
8
A friend of the comedian revealed he had been struggling with his health in SeptemberCredit: Facebook
8
The TV star was known as Duncan ‘Chase me’ Norvelle after coining his catchphrase ‘Chase me!’Credit: Rex
