10/1 50/1 16/1 7/2 40/1 Tess: Didn’t he do well?
STRICTLY Come Dancing kicked off its 15th series last night with a touching tribute to former host Bruce Forsyth.
Tess Daly choked back tears as she spoke movingly about Sir Bruce , who died three weeks ago aged 89.
The professional dancers performed a routine for him and the judges shared their memories.
Tess said “he would have loved that” and, borrowing from the Saturday night TV legend’s stock of catchphrases, added: “Didn’t he do well?” Earlier she said was “always there for each and every contestant”.
Fellow presenter Claudia Winkleman was equally moved but said as Bruce would have said himself “the show must go on.”
And, speaking before last night’s show, new head judge Shirley Ballas described how the touching tribute to the late Sir Bruce had the whole studio in tears.
She said: “It was a spectacular tribute to him at the launch and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.” Former head judge Len Goodman said Bruce made time for every one and came to see him on his first day to wish him a good show.
For the tribute dance the band played “Fly Me To The Moon”.
The performers twirled around the floor in pink chiffon, black tie and tails, the sort of routine Bruce adored.
Comic David Walliams tweeted: “Magnificent tribute to the worshipped and adored Sir Bruce Forsyth on Strictly.”
karen.rockett@trinitymirror.com