Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} by Bruce Forsyth Bruce Forsyth admits that 'loneliness' drove him to leave Strictly Come Dancing. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. But the 87-year-old entertainer has revealed he did not leave Strictly to shuffle off into retirement – it was but because he was lonely. He said yesterday: “Retire? Me, retire? I don’t want to give up. I’m going to keep going as long as people want me and nothing stops me.” Forsyth, whose exit from Strictly was mourned by millions of viewers, said: “I don’t regret it, it was time to go. I never enjoyed it as much as people thought. “The problem for me was that I didn’t get to meet anyone in the show, nor really get to know anyone very well – not even backstage. “And what I actually like is the interaction. It’s what I do. I found Strictly very lonely.” The star, who left Tess Daly and to fill his twinkle-toed shoes, said: “When I left I knew it was the right time. Leave it at the top. I just didn’t want to do it anymore. “It was the same with The Generation Game. I quit that show when we had 20 million viewers and people couldn’t believe it.” When asked about his Saturday night viewing, the star said: “I’ll record Strictly but I like to take my wife out to dinner on a Saturday night like a normal person. Related articles. 'It’s an awful thing' Bruce Forsyth, 87, quit Strictly after he 'began to feel stale' Strictly fab Claudia Winkleman is up for ‘TV Oscar’ after just 12 weeks on show 'I don’t miss it' Bruce Forsyth claims Strictly was never what he thought it'd be. The problem for me was that I didn’t get to meet anyone in the show, nor really get to know anyone very well – not even backstage. And what I actually like is the interaction. It’s what I do. I found Strictly very lonely. Bruce Forsyth. “I don’t watch The X Factor. It’s not for me. It’s a singer, then a singer and then another singer and in between another singer. “What really gets me is all these flashing lights. “It’s so American. They do it on The X Factor and they’ve started doing it on Strictly. It’s just awful.” Forsyth, perhaps surprisingly, prefers watching Prime Minister’s Questions. He said: “I never miss it. It’s getting better and better at the moment as everything starts to hot up. I particularly love it when David Cameron and Ed Miliband start laying into each other. It’s actually a great show!” Instead of putting his feet up, Forsyth said he wants to do more variety: “I like to be more loose, more myself, I like to have a bit of fun.” After 10 years, he is returning to the London Palladium next month for a two-hour show of singing, dancing and jokes. He said: “The only other ambition I have left is to be cast in a really great film. I’d love to have been in one of the Harry Potter movies. “I’d love a greater character part, I’ve got that left in me. But if that doesn’t happen I’m not complaining. I count myself as incredibly lucky. I’ve had a great life.” Sir Bruce Forsyth's Biography. Sir Bruce Forsyth was involved in light entertainment for over sixty years. Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson (to give 'Brucie' his full name) was born on 22 February 1928 in Edmonton, London. Bruce had been evacuated at the start of World War II but returned to London after just three days as he was so homesick. He started his stage career as 'Boy Bruce - The Mighty Atom' - as far back as 1942. Bruce Forsyth's first television performance was Music Hall in 1954. Forsyth's television highlights over the years included Sunday Night at the London Palladium, Bruce Forsyth's Big Night Out, and Bruce's Price is Right. His most notable role, however, was as host of The Generation Game which he started in 1971 and completed seven series - with his catchphrases "nice to see you, to see you nice" and "didn't he do well?". Bruce Forsyth had two stints on The Generation Game - one in the seventies and one in the nineties. In 2007 it was announced that UKTV Gold were to transmit a new show The Generation Game: Then Again, hosted by Bruce Forsyth, which would combine archive footage from the Generation Game with new challenges. Penny Forsyth, an ex-wife of Bruce Forsyth, told the BBC about how she was immediately attracted to him: "I saw this name, Bruce Forsyth, and suddenly there were green flashing lights in front of my eyes and I knew this was the man I was going to marry." Penny and Bruce became a singing and dancing double act, before Penny fell pregnant with the first of their three daughters. One side-effect of the Generation Game was one of Bruce's marriages - to Anthea Redfern - although their marriage dissolved in 1982. After their divorce, Bruce married former Miss World, Wilnelia Merced. Bruce Forsyth reprised his role as host of The Generation Game from 1990 to 1995. His popularity in Strictly Come Dancing led to Bruce Forsyth winning his first National TV Awards nomination in 2004. Bruce Forsyth was awarded the OBE in 1998 and the CBE in 2006. In 2008, Bruce Forsyth received Bafta's highest accolade, the Academy Fellowship. In 2010 the BBC announced that Bruce Forsyth would not host Strictly Come Dancing's Sunday results show, which would be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman instead. In January 2011 Bruce Forsyth was presented with a special recognition award at the National Television Awards. In 2011, Bruce Forsyth was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours. In 2014, it was announced that after 11 series of Strictly Come Dancing, Sir Bruce Forsyth was stepping down as a presenter of the show, however he would continue to present Christmas Special, and the Strictly Children in Need Special. In October 2015, Sir Bruce had a fall and tests revealed that he had two aneurysms. His treatment for these was successful but his recovery was slow and in 2016, his wife Wilnelia revealed that Sir Bruce had problems moving and got tired. At the end of February 2017, Sir Bruce Forsyth entered intensive care after developing a severe chest infection. Sir Bruce Forsyth died on 18 August 2017, aged 89. Trivia The day after he passed away the BBC published an article Sir Bruce Forsyth: 8 little-known facts about his career. Strictly Come Dancing: How will Bruce Forsyth be honoured on the BBC show? When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sir Bruce Forsyth takes on McFly after wins Strictly. Sir Bruce Forsyth’s family have announced that the presenter died Friday afternoon after losing a battle with pneumonia. In an official statement, the family confirmed that they had been with him in his final hours and asked the world to give them peace and quiet while they mourn. Hundreds of entertainers and TV personalities have already publicly paid tribute to the legendary presenter. Strictly presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly expressed their sorrow over his passing and praised the “gentleman and true legend”. Related articles. Winkleman posted on Twitter: "He was the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people. all toe-tapping twinkle, all kindness, all love. " In a follow-up tweet, she added: "The Bruce you saw really was the man he was. We'll miss him so much." Tess Daly meanwhile said: "From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing." "I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences he so loved.” The BBC paid tribute to Bruce Forsyth after his 75-year-long career. How will Strictly Come Dancing pay tribute to Bruce Forsyth? After an incredible decade of presenting the show, Sir Bruce’s age unfortunately caught up with him in 2014 when he decided to step down. He was the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people Claudia Winkleman, Strictly Come Dancing host. The 15th edition of the popular dancing show is now set to return to BBC One next month on September 22. Following the announcement of his death today, the Strictly team posted on Twitter: “The whole Strictly team is devastated to hear of the passing of Sir Bruce Forsyth. Bye Brucie you're our favourite” The heartfelt message was accompanied by a picture of Sir Bruce outlined on a starry night sky, with the caption: “Farewell to the Star of Saturday night”. TWITTER. Strictly dancer Anton Du Beke paid tribute to his friend. Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Dally expressed their sorrow at his death. Some fans have already suggested that Strictly Come Dancing pays tribute to Sir Bruce by recording a special episode just for him. One person tweeted: “Such sad news. Please do one show with all the dancers this year dedicated to him.” Other fans have even called for the entire upcoming season to be made in his memory. "There'll never be another Sir Bruce Forsyth. Was already sorely missed on #Strictly. Hope this year's series is a tribute to him. #RIPBruce," one person wrote. Sir Bruce Forsyth life in pictures. Sir Bruce Forsyth has died at the age of 89. We take a look back at Sir Bruce Forsyth's glittering showbiz career. Bruce Forsyth in pictures. , who won Strictly in 2016, paid tribute to his “hero” on Twitter, saying: “My hero, Sir Bruce Forsyth. Nobody did it better. RIP Brucie.” , who was crowned the victor in series 11, also tweeted: “God bless you sir Bruce Forsyth such a pleasure getting to know you whilst I was on @bbcstrictly You will be sadly missed.” “An absolute showbiz legend. Rest in Peace Sir Bruce Forsyth,” tweeted who won series eight in 2010. , singer and former Strictly judge, shared her sorrow with her fans on Instagram where she thanked Sir Bruce for all the laughter he provided. ORE ODUBA INSTAGRAM. Strictly winner Ore Oduba called Sir Bruce his 'hero' “Deeply saddened today,” she wrote. “There are no words that can express how much love & respect I have for Sir Bruce. “He cared so much, always had my back, was always so kind and was a true gentleman. He is a star that will be missed by all that knew him. “Rest in peace Bruce, you will always be the King of show business! Thank you for the laughs, thank you for the good times and thank you for being you." Sir Bruce Forsyth steps down from Strictly Come Dancing. He said it was the "right time to step down from the rigours" of hosting the live show, which celebrates its 12th series later this year. The 86-year-old entertainer has co-hosted Strictly since it began in 2004. His replacement is yet to be announced. BBC One's Charlotte Moore paid tribute to Sir Bruce saying the show's success was "due in vast amounts to him". Sir Bruce will continue to present one-off specials of the show such as Strictly Christmas Special and the Strictly Children in Need Special. "After 10 wonderful years and 11 series, I believe it is now the right time to step down from the rigours of presenting the Strictly live shows," said Sir Bruce. He told the BBC News Channel that he would miss the show but would be "watching intently". "I've always said that at the end of last series I was getting that feeling, 'Is this the time?'," Sir Bruce revealed. "I've just been on my three month break in the Caribbean, I've been thinking about it all the time." He continued: "[Live television] takes its toll when you've been doing it for many years, it's a pressure thing. "But I'm not retiring, that's the last thing in the world I want to do. This isn't Brucie walking into the sunset." The presenter, who was knighted in 2011, missed a number of shows last series due to illness. He quit the results show in 2010 and was replaced by Claudia Winkleman. The results show is recorded immediately after the live show on a Saturday. Sir Bruce said phoning co-presenter Tess Daly to break the news had been "like a boyfriend breaking up with his girl." "She was in tears and started me off a bit. It's sad, I've loved doing it," he said. "But there are times when you look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'Should you be doing this any longer? That was our biggest series last year that we've ever had so it's a high to go off on." One of the show's previous contestants, Anne Widdecombe, told BBC News: "His particular character and personality went a long way to making the show what it is. "It's extremely gruelling stuff and particularly for someone of his age," she added. "He's decided to go while he's still ahead and I think that's right." BBC One controller Moore added: "Sir Bruce Forsyth is one of the great showbiz legends of our time. "I am so pleased he will continue to be part of the Strictly family and promise viewers that we haven't seen the last of him on BBC One." Forsyth first appeared on the BBC on a talent show in 1939, and has been a regular on television for almost 60 years. Strictly Come Dancing - which runs across the autumn - has brought him a new generation of fans but in recent years, he has talked in interviews about how he would like to spend more time abroad to avoid the cold winters in the UK. , head judge on the show, called him "the driving force" of the show, and praised his "warm and cuddly" personality. But he agreed it was a rigorous schedule, particularly for the hosts: "He's done Strictly for 10 years, so he deserves to put his feet up a bit," he told BBC News. Mark Linsey, the BBC's controller of entertainment commissioning, said: "One of the joys of my job is working with Sir Bruce Forsyth and long may that continue. "He is the all-time master and commander when it comes to Great British entertainers and Strictly owes him such a great deal." "This is not a farewell, but you can't blame him for wanting to take things a little bit easier." Strictly Come Dancing by Bruce Forsyth. Down to earth Stockport lass Tess started her career as a model, before getting her break as a television presenter on ’s The Big Breakfast, hosting their “Find Me A Model” segment and then took over as presenter of children’s Saturday morning show SM:tv after Ant & Dec left. In 2003, Tess married television presenter and DJ, Vernon Kay, and in early 2004, Tess co-hosted the first series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside Bruce Forsyth. She had to miss the first half of the second series of Strictly, as she was on maternity leave with series one winner Natasha Kaplinksy holding the fort, but not long after daughter Phoebe was born, Tess returned to the programme, and has co-hosted the programme ever since. After the success of Strictly, Tess and husband Vernon teamed up to co-host another celebrity reality show, Just The Two Of Us, a singing version of Strictly where celebrities teamed up with pop stars to learn to sing, and in 2008, another prime-time presenting role came her way in the form of the National Lottery game show This Time Tomorrow. CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN. Claudia originally presented Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two , the BBC 2 weekday sister show to Strictly, but is now the co-host of the main show along with Tess. After graduating from Cambridge University with an MA in History of Art, Claudia’s first major job in television was on regional programme Central Weekend . Her career moved onto national television in programmes such as Holiday and This Morning , before she moved onto presenting shows on digital television channels. Far from being a backwards move, these specialist channels and programmes gave her the freedom to develop and flourish with her own style of presenting, and led her to the daily entertainment news show Liquid News on BBC Three. In 2003, she hosted the Fame Academy sister show on BBC Three which gave behind the scenes news and interviews with contestants and celebrities – sound familiar? It was a great success, and Claudia was the obvious choice to host the new sister show for the new Saturday night phenomenon that was Strictly Come Dancing . Claudia’s role on It Takes Two was to be the voice of the audience, and ask all the questions that the viewers want answers to. Her informal style of presentation allows the interviewees to relax, as well as bringing a sense of fun to the programme. Freely admitting she has no technical knowledge or expertise as dancing, she is brave enough to take part in the hugely successful segment, “Len’s Masterclass”, dealing not only with attempting to dance in fabulous, but ridiculously inappropriate, shoes, but also with head judge Len Goodman’s unique style of teaching – trying to make her laugh with innuendo or chastising her with strange names (”Fungus features” being one of his favourites). ZOE BALL. After competing in series three of Strictly Come Dancing (you can see her dance results page here), Zoe came back to the show to take over hosting It Takes Two after Claudia stepped down following the birth of her third child. Alongside her Strictly role, Zoe has had her own Radio 2 early Saturday morning show, as well as standing in for regular presenters when required, including Ken Bruce and Chris Evans, and has also provided cover for Simon Mayo on 5 Live film review show. rylan clark-neal. Most people will remember Rylan from The X Factor in 2012 where he made it through to the live shows and finished 5th overall in the competition. Following his success on the show, he went onto further television work, including becoming a housemate in Celebrity Big Brother before going onto join the sister show Big Brother’s Bit on the Side , and has had presenting roles on Daybreak, This Morning and The One Show and has taken part in Celebrity MasterChef. Rylan will join It Takes Two for series 17 and share presenting duties with Zoe Ball. PREVIOUS PRESENTERS. JUSTIN LEE COLLINS. Born and bred in , Justin started his career as a stand-up comedian, but it was really only as a vehicle to get into his current career as a television presenter. In 1997, he reached the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards which led to him getting his first television show with MTV, and then worked for XFM radio, hosting a late night Sunday programme, but it was presenting the crossover Strictly Come Dancing weekday show on BBC Three, that started to get him wider public and industry recognition. When the programme moved to BBC Two, Claudia Winkleman took over, but by now Justin had moved to Channel 4, and was headlining the Bring Back occasional specials, which have included Grange Hill and The A Team, before joining Alan Carr to present the acclaimed The Friday Night Project and shows. . Natasha was one of the presenters of the BBC Breakfast show on BBC One when she won the first series of Strictly (you can see her dance results page here), and when Tess went on maternity leave, Natasha co-hosted the main show with Bruce Forsyth for the first half of Series 2. SIR BRUCE FORSYTH. The quintessential entertainer, Bruce was born in London in 1928, and started his career as a child in theatre but didn’t hit the big time until 1958 when he was hosted the weekly television variety show Sunday Night At The London Palladium . His career went from strength to strength, and in the 1970’s he hosted the extremely popular gameshow The Generation Game , and went on to present others, including You Bet! and Play Your Cards Right . After an appearance as guest host on BBC panel show Have I Got News For You , his career was revitalised and led to discussions with producers about bringing a variety inspired programme back to family Saturday night viewing, and Strictly Come Dancing was born! As a stalwart of British entertainment, Bruce was awarded the OBE in 1998 and the CBE in 2006, then received his knighthood in 2011 becoming Sir Bruce Forsyth. In 2008 received the highest accolade given by the British Academy of Film and Television at their annual awards (BAFTA’s), the Academy Fellowship. Bruce was the host of Strictly until the end of Series 11, and continued to host the Christmas Special and other Strictly charity spin-offs for Comic Relief, Sport Relief, etc. Bruce passed away in August 2017, and Strictly paid tribute to him in the 2017 launch show: