Legendary 80s comedian famous for camp 'chase me' catchphrase died 'almost penniless'

Duncan Norvelle used to be a staple on prime time TV during the 1980s and early 90s, but a string of devastating health woes following two devastating strokes left him struggling

Duncan Norvelle died 'almost penniless' after falling out of favour with TV bosses and navigating a string of devastating health issues.

The comedian - famed for his camp "catch me!" catchphrase - passed away last Thursday aged 66, He was a regular on TV during the 1980s and 90s, but hadn't been seen on screen since Pointless Celebrities in 2019. Prior to that, he was in a 2011 episode of Celebrity Come Dine With Me with Sean Hughes, Gina Yashere and Paul Tonkinson.

His partner of twelve years, Linda Trevallion, told The Sun that Duncan died from a chest infection and sepsis, with her and two of his three children by his side. He had suffered a series of strokes in 2012 which had left him paralysed down the left side of his body for a year-and-a-half.

She said: "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.

"[He] wasn't really showbiz, he wasn't one for going to showbiz parties."

After recovering from his 2012 strokes, Duncan attempted to make a comeback in 2015, touring small clubs and pubs across the UK. His first comeback show was a fundraiser for the Stroke Association in Skegness.

However, according to the Mail Online, two firms he set up the following year - both called Chase Me Management - were dissolved in 2017, with each one subjected to a compulsory strike off. He bolstered his income by selling video messages to fans, and performing on cruise ships.

Duncan's comeback was further hampered by covid, and he claimed to have been dropped from some events for being "too slow" and "wheelchair bound" but he continued grafting and trying to book gigs. In a Christmas message posted in 2021 he said: "It's so nice to still be wanted to perform for your events.

"Laughter is the best medicine that anyone can be given. I also want to thank my incredible partner Lynn. She is my rock and always will be and without her I would be lost."

The comedian rose to fame on ITV variety show Saturday Royal in the early 1980s. He went on to host the pilot episode of Blind Date and was a regular on massive primetime favourites Surprise! Surprise! and The Bob Monkhouse Show.

However, a source told the Mail that his star waned as mainstream tastes changed. They said: "Duncan was not gay but his act was based on camp humour which was popular at the time.

"He once said he based his persona on a cross between Michael Crawford's Frank Spencer and John Inman's Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served.

"His TV bookings dried up as a new breed of left-leaning political comedians took over our screens. He suddenly found himself out in the cold."

Duncan spent the last twelve years of his life living with Linda at her two-bed terraced home. She told The Sun: "We were together like husband and wife.

"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.

"I never wish anyone to suffer. I just want to still hold him, and love him a bit more. It's never enough. I knew it was coming but you're never prepared."

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