Sir Bruce Forsyth to be given 'all singing, all dancing' Strictly Come Dancing tribute
SIR Bruce Forsyth will be given an “all singing, all dancing” tribute when Strictly Come Dancing returns next month, show bosses revealed today.
Sir Bruce Forsyth will be given an 'all singing, all dancing' tribute when Strictly Come Dancing
The troupe of emotional professional dancers are rehearsing a glittering routine that will celebrate the legendary host’s 75 years in showbiz.
Sir Bruce, who died at the age of 89 on Friday, was at the helm of the smash hit BBC dancing contest for a decade from its debut to his retirement in 2014.
And to honour his unrivalled career the emotional dancers - all of whom were called “my favourite” by Sir Bruce - demanded to put on a special tribute when the series returns on September 9.
Executive producer Louise Rainbow said: “The thoughts of everyone here are still very much with Sir Bruce’s family.
“Of course, we will be paying tribute to Sir Bruce at our launch show and this will include a heartfelt performance from our Strictly professional dancers.
“We all want to celebrate him and all that he loved about the show. Sir Bruce was, and will always be, a huge part of Strictly Come Dancing.”
Dancers are rehearsing a glittering routine that will celebrate the legendary host
Bruce Forsyth flirts with Andrea McLean on Loose Women
The routine, which will open the 15th series of the popular ballroom competition, will pay homage to one of the last great music hall entertainers whose golden career started at the tender age of 14 and star Anton Du Beke, Kevin Clifton and Brendan Cole.
The spectacular, choreographed by Jason Gilkison, will be the most ambitious opening performance in the history of the show.
Sir Bruce was, and will always be, a huge part of Strictly Come Dancing
First appearing on Sunday Night At The London Palladium in 1958, Sir Bruce became a permanent fixture on Saturday nights with shows like The Generation Game, which attracted 21 million viewers on the BBC at the height of its popularity in the 1970s.
Other hits included Play Your Cards Right, The Price is Right and You Bet!
He will forever be associated with his iconic fist-to-the-head pose and tap dancing but it was as host of Strictly, alongside Tess Daly, that he was propelled to a new generation of fans, even spawning the catchphrase “Keeeeep dancing”.
He once revealed it was the show that gave him the most joy.
Speaking in 2015 he said: “How many people in showbusiness have had three of the top shows ever on TV?
"If you have one in a lifetime you’re lucky but to have three.
“Nothing was bigger than Sunday Night At The London Palladium. Nothing was bigger than The Generation Game.
Bruce with The Beatles on Sunday Night At The London Palladium
"Nothing was bigger than Strictly…I’m so fortunate to have had this life.”
“The thought of dying would have scared me 20 years ago, but not now.
"When my time comes I think I can look back at all that’s happened to me and realise how lucky I’ve been, especially the knighthood.
“I’ll go quite peacefully. I won’t turn round and ask, ‘Why now? I’ve still got so much to do’ because I’ve done so many things.
It was as host of Strictly, alongside Tess Daly, that he was propelled to a new generation of fans
“At the moment I’m feeling fine. I take every day as it comes. I’m living on borrowed time. I’ve been given this extra little bit in the twilight of my career, so enjoy it and keep doing what you want to do.
“As I get nearer to [death] I fear it less because with the tiredness one gets at times, you think, ‘Is it just like having a nice long sleep?’.
“I wouldn’t say I fear it. I think I’ll be completely at peace when it does happen to me because I’ve been so lucky. I’ve had a wonderful career.”