Sir Bruce Forsythe has left the stage RIP

[Nikkas]

Sir Bruce Forsyth, the veteran entertainer and presenter of many successful TV shows, has died aged 89.

The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter had been unwell for some time and was in hospital earlier this year after a severe chest infection.

His long career in showbusiness began when he was aged just 14.

He became Britain's best-paid TV star, famous for hosting game shows like The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right.

He also presented BBC One's Strictly with Tess Daly from 2004 to 2014.

A statement from his manager, Ian Wilson, said: "It is with great sadness that the Forsyth family announce that Sir Bruce passed away this afternoon, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Wilnelia and all his children.

"A couple of weeks ago, a friend visited him and asked him what he had been doing these last 18 months.

"With a twinkle in his eye, he responded 'I've been very, very busy... being ill!'"

Sir Bruce's family expressed their thanks to "the many people who have sent cards and letters to Bruce wishing him well over his long illness and know that they will share in part, the great, great loss they feel".

They said there would be no further comment at the moment and asked for their privacy to be respected "at this most difficult time".

BBC director general Sir Tony Hall described Sir Bruce as "one of the greatest entertainers our country has ever known".

"He has delighted millions of people and defined Saturday night television for decades, with shows like the Generation Game and, most recently, Strictly," he said.
'Toe-tapping twinkle'

"His warmth and his wit were legendary. I've never seen anyone quite like him when it comes to performing in front of a crowd.

"He had a remarkable chemistry with his audience - that's what made him such an amazing professional and why he was so loved. He has been part of all of our lives, and we'll miss him dearly."
Skip Twitter post by @ClaudiaWinkle
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Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman, who replaced Sir Bruce after he left the show, tweeted that he was "the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people... all toe-tapping twinkle, all kindness, all love....

"The Bruce you saw really was the man he was. We'll miss him so much."

Sir Bruce had not been seen in public recently, due to ill health. He was too frail to attend the funerals of close friends Ronnie Corbett and Sir Terry Wogan last year.

In 2015, the presenter underwent keyhole surgery after suffering two aneury***, which were discovered following a fall at his ****** home.

In an interview last October, his wife said he was still having "a bit of a problem moving". She said: "He's in incredible shape mentally but he gets very tired."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40978576

[trotwood]

No matter what programme he was on you enjoyed watching and were always entertained.
rip bruce

[Barney]

R.I.P Sir Bruce Forsythe a true Pro TV Presenter and true Ledgend on the big stage .

[catseye]

RIP Brucie fab entertainer & showman
Doubt we will ever see his like ever again (Just reality tv ****e)

[dog-man]

My earliest memories of him are during the 60's when I was a young boy watching Live at the London Palladium with my mother.
I can still recall watching the show with just him and Norman Wisdom because there was a strike.

[maurice]

@dog-man, I was the same, watched in the 60's with family, I still watch his repeats on Challenge (sad).
R.I.P Sir Bruce.

[saintomer1866]

As seems to be happening more and more over the last few years (must be our age) we lose another great performer and real gentleman
in his own words "Didn't he do well..."

[holmroad]

Of all the artists who can claim to be true legend, such was 'our' Brucie (that's the name I'll ALWAYS remember him by) - I also first remember him introducing Sunday Night at the London Palladium - talk about taking total control of a MEGA show having shown megastars such as The Beatles, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Barbara Streisand, Norman Wisdom, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Cilla Black, Gerry & the Pacemakers, The Searchers, Status Quo, etc etc!
Beat the Clock was an absolute winner, totally pre-empting shows such as It's a Knockout - he then 'carried' Strictly into what it's become as one of the few challengers to the X Factor - all a part of him revolutionising Saturday night tv shows, including of course the classic Generation Game!
Words cannot in themselves express how much he will be missed by UK millions!
RIP Sir Bruce Forsyth. OUR friend.

[Marco]

I liked the old bruce he was good .

Nice to see you ... to see you nice.