Didn’t he do well. Brucie says final farewell at 89
Entertainer died at home surrounded by his family
Tributes have been paid to entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth who has died at the age of 89. Sir Bruce passed away at his home surrounded by his wife, Wilnelia, and all of his children following a spell of ill health.
Tributes have been paid to entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth who has died at the age of 89.
Sir Bruce, whose career lasted more than seven decades, passed away at his home surrounded by his wife, Wilnelia, and all of his children following a bout of ill health.
The veteran entertainer had been out of the limelight for a while and last year was too frail to attend the funerals of close friends Ronnie Corbett and Sir Terry Wogan.
Dame Barbara Windsor said: “This is the end of a show business era and the last of the trulyall-roundgreatentertainers that this country has ever produced. I am so sad as I was a massive fan and was in awe of his professionalism.
“I was lucky enough to know him and was thrilled to be at his last book launch. He will be so sadly missed by all in show business and his millions of fans.”
She added: “God bless you Bruce and my thoughts are with his beautiful wife Wilnelia who made him so very happy and his family.”
In a statement, Sir Bruce’s manager Ian Wilson said: “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.
“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!’ Unfortunately, not long after this, his health deteriorated and he contracted bronchial pneumonia. The family would like to express their thanks to the many people who have sent cards and letters to Bruce wishing him well over his long illness and know that they will share in part, the great, great loss they feel.
“There will be no further comment at the moment and it would be much appreciated if the privacy of Sir Bruce’s family is respected at this most difficult time.”
Following the news of Sir Bruce’s death, the BBC announced a change to Friday evening’s TV schedule. A tweet from the official The One Show account read: “There will be no One Show this evening as @BBCONE will now be airing a special programme in memory of Bruce Forsyth.”
Sir Bruce was taken to hospital in March and spent five nights in intensive care at St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey after developing a severe chest infection, according to reports.
He also underwent surgery in 2015 after suffering two aneurysms. These were discovered when tests were carried out following a fall at his Surrey home.
He announced that he was leaving Strictly Come Dancing in April 2014, after nearly ten years as the presenter of the show.