GENTLEMAN BRUCE:
Strictly stars lead tributes to an all-round giant of showbiz
STRICTLY co-host Tess Daly last night led tributes to the showbiz genius who treated her to a decade of laughs as they fronted the Beeb’s wildly successful dance show.
The 48-year-old talked of a “dear friend” and Sir Bruce’s “generosity”, “sense of humour” and “drive to entertain.”
In an emotional statement, Tess, who hosted Strictly with Sir Bruce until he retired in 2014, said: “There are no words to describe how heartbroken I am.”
She added: “From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade together on Strictly Come Dancing.
“I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences he so loved.
“He has been there for me as a co-host, a mentor, but most importantly as a friend.”
Her husband Vernon Kay, 43, wrote on Instagram: “Devastating news. He defined Saturday Night telly and re-wrote the book on TV Hosting...will miss his energy and fun.”
Claudia Winkleman, 45, who replaced Bruce as Tess’s co-host - but who worked with the star on spin-off show It Takes Two - was equally bowled over: “He was the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people... all toetapping twinkle, all kindness, all love .... ”
The news hit all Sir Bruce’s co-stars on Strictly hard - and they could scarcely believe he is gone.
Len Goodman, former head judge, said: “As long as I can remember there has always been Bruce on our TV. He was a part of my telly viewing from my teens. So you can imagine my excitement on being asked to be on Strictly and have Bruce one of my heroes on the same show.
“He was so kind and encouraging to me. I used to pop round to his dressing room and chat. There was no one I mentioned he hadn’t met. His work ethic, professionalism and charm will be with me forever.”
Ex-Strictly judge Arlene Phillips added: “To me, he was an indestructible titan tap dancing his way through life. I’ve known Bruce since the 70s when we judged a disco dance competition together and the rest is history.
“Working with him on Strictly was personally a joy. His endless teasing of my judging style, particularly with strong sportsmen, was an ongoing joke. His enormous support after I was let go from the Strictly panel meant so much.
“Bruce was a true legend, to watch him warming up the audience before filming was a masterclass in entertainment.
“His quick use of comedy to avoid disaster on a live show was beyond compare.
“Above all, his phenomenal tap dancing skills will always remain with me. Bruce was the best
Working with him on Strictly was personally a joy. He was a titan ARLENE PHILLIPS FORMER JUDGE AND PAL
of the best. He was a true national treasure and there will never be another like him. He will be missed by many generations.”
But it was the sense of losing the last of a kind many veteran stars focussed on.
Dame Barbara Windsor summed up: “This is the end of a show business era and the last of the truly all round great entertainers this country has produced.” Her feelings were echoed by veteran Carry On star Leslie Phillips, 93, who said of his friend: “We’ll never see the likes of him again. He was a one-off and I’m proud to have known him.”
While presenter Sir Michael Parkinson, 82, added: “He’s an example to anybody who wants to be a star.”
Fellow showbiz legend Jimmy Tarbuck, 89, said simply: “He was one of the most talented men this country ever produced.” Dallas actress Joan Collins, 84, tweeted: “It is a huge loss to the world he was one-of-a-kind.”
Chat show host Jonathan Ross, 56, tweeted: “I grew up watching and loving #SirBruceForsyth on TV. Last of the true all-rounders and a true pro. Goodnight Bruce.
Strictly Judge Bruno Tonioli, 61, tweeted: “A new [star] in heaven goodbye dear friend. I will
This is the end of an era ... the last of the all-round greats DAME BARBARA WINDSOR ON SIR BRUCE’S DEATH
forever treasure the fun time we had together.” Former Strictly champion Alesha Dixon, a judge from 2009 to 2011, posted a picture of the pair dancing together on stage.
The 38-year-old wrote: “He cared so much, always had my back, was always so kind and was a true gentleman. Rest in peace Bruce, you will always be the King of show business!.”
Many stars tweeted their condolences by using Sir Bruce’s famous catchphrases.
Stephen Fry, 59, wrote on Twitter: “There was only one Brucie - it was more than to nice to see you, to see you more than nice.”
Comic and former Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins, 47, who is fronting a revamped version of his classic show The Generation Game soon, said: “Didn’t he do well
RIP Sir Bruce. xx.” Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, 56, tweeted: “One of television’s great entertainers. Didn’t he do well. #RIPBrucie”
Former Strictly contestant and current It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball, 46, wrote: “Truly natural & magical entertainer, so wonderful with his audiences. in his words You’re My Favourite RIP.”
Brian Conley, 56, announced as the latest name on the Strictly 2017 line-up, tweeted: “Just heard the news cannot believe it God bless you Bruce #Legend” Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, 46, said: “So sad.”
Singer Boy George, 56, added his voice to the tributes, writing: “A true British legend. What a life!” while DJ Tony Blackburn, 74, posted: “RIP Sir Bruce Forsyth a lovely man and a great entertainer.” Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, 52, said: One of Britain’s greatest ever entertainers & a lovely man. Very sad news.”
Apprentice star Lord Alan Sugar, 70, described the star as “a friend” writing: “The whole country will miss him RIP.” Prime Minister Theresa May said: “We have lost a national treasure. Like millions of others, for years I watched Sir Bruce dance, sing, joke & laugh. He will be sorely missed.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn posted: “A tireless charity campaigner, Sir Bruce was Mr Saturday Night.”