Veteran entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth passes away at 89

The face of Saturday night television for successive generations, always armed with a catchphrase – “Nice to see you, to see you…” or quip, Sir Bruce held the record for enjoying the longest on-screen career for a male entertainer.

Like millions of others, for years I watched Sir Bruce dance, sing, joke and laugh.

After relaunching his career as a guest host of Have I Got News For You in 2003, Sir Bruce became the host of Strictly Come Dancing – a celebrity dance show based on the original BBC series Come Dancing.

But he struggled to make a career out of his passion until he was picked to host a Sunday night TV variety show in 1958, which propelled him into the limelight.

Actress and comedian Miranda Hart who is now starring on stage in as Miss Hannigan in Annie, said she will be remembering Bruce’s famous cheer during her next show. He also made his first major role in the cinema as part of the 1968 musical Star!

The host was known for his catch phrases such as “Nice to see, to see you nice”, “Good game, good game”, and “Didn’t he do well?” He did a show for ITV called Brucie’s Big Night.

Boxer Frank Bruno described Forsyth as “part of my growing up on TV’s Generation Game“. Sir Bruce also popularised “Give us a twirl” on the Generation Game, which he hosted from 1971 to 1977. He spent several days in intensive care, then returned home, the magazine said.

Tributes have poured in for “king of light entertainment” Bruce Forsyth who has died aged 89.

“He had remarkable chemistry with his audience – that’s what made him such an incredible professional and why he was so loved”. Ten million would regularly tune into the show, and a star had been born. The same year he became the oldest ever performer at Glastonbury Festival, appearing on the Avalon Stage.

The star received a knighthood in 2011 and his last appearance on TV was at Christmas 2015, when he sent a festive message to Strictly fans on the Christmas edition o f the show. Forsyth was made a fellow of Bafta in 2008 and received a Royal Television Society lifetime achievement award the following year.

Since then celebrities of all ages and backgrounds have been sharing their fond memories of the performer whose career in showbiz lasted an awesome seven decades.

Sir Bruce had not been seen in public recently, due to ill health. He was magnificent and he was a great entertainer.