Life and times of a British institution

Star shone on small screen

1928

Born on Feb 22 in Edmonton, North London, to parents in the Salvation Army

1935

Attends his first panto at the Wood Green Odeon and falls in love with showbusiness

1939

Made his television debut, aged 11, singing and dancing on a show called Come and Be Televised

1942

Professional debut as ‘Boy Bruce, The Mighty Atom’ aged 14

1953

Marries Penny Calvert, with whom he has three daughters

1958

Takes over from Tommy Trinder as host of ITV’S Sunday Night at the London Palladium

1968

A rare film appearance in the Gertrude Lawrence biopic Star! with Julie Andrews

1971

Begins hosting The Generation Game on the BBC

1973

Marries Anthea Redfern, his Generation Game assistant, and has two more daughters

1978

Defects to ITV to host variety show Bruce’s Big Night, which is axed after one season

1980

Play Your Cards Right begins on ITV

1983

Marries Wilnelia Merced, a former Miss World, with whom he has a son

1986

Presents Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak in the US

1988

Hosts You Bet on ITV, followed by several other shows for the commercial broadcaster

1990

The Generation Game returns, and in 1995 he begins hosting

The Price is Right

2003

Revives his career with a guest appearance on Have I Got News for You

2004

Launches Strictly Come Dancing, which becomes an instant hit

2011

After a lengthy public campaign, he receives a knighthood

2013

Steps down from Strictly, but continues to host special editions of the show