ENTERTAINER BRUCE FORSYTH has died at the age of 89.
The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter had been unwell for some time.
Forsyth was a veteran television host and entertainer, work for decades as one of the most well-known faces in British television.
A statement from Ian Wilson his manager said that Forsyth had passed away peacefully at his home.
“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,” Wilson said.
“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!’
Forsyth’s family thanked the public for their support and asked for their privacy to be respected.
Tony Hall – director-general of the BBC – described him 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.
His warmth and wit were legendary.
Career
Born in Middlesex in 1928, Forsyth started off with a song, dance and accordion act called Boy Bruce, The Mighty Atom, when he was just 14.
He performed stage acts and in circuses the post-war period across the UK before he got offered a job in the TV variety show Sunday Night at the London Palladium.
He later went on to become the UK’s best paid TV star.
He was well-known for hosting The Price is Right and Play Your Cards Right.
Forsyth is also known most recently as the presenter on Strictly Come Dancing which he hosted from 2004 to 2013.
Forsyth was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2006.
Tributes
TV networks, entertainers and celebrities all paid tribute to Forsyth on the news of his death.
British actor Joan Collins described him as “one-of-a-kind”.
Piers Morgan said he was “one of Britain’s greatest ever entertainers”.
Forsyth was granted an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2012 for having the longest career of any male television entertainer.
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