The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Not a dry eye in the house at Brucie tribute

- By Bill Gibb BGIBB@SUNDAYPOST.COM

Sir Bruce Forsyth’s widow was overwhelme­d with emotion at the big tribute being televised tonight.

A host of stars gathered at the London Palladium last month for Sir Bruce: A Celebratio­n.

And impression­ist Jon Culshaw, a friend of the 89-year-old entertaine­r who died last August, says the love shown to her late husband hit Lady Wilnelia hard from the start.

“She was on stage when we did a rehearsal for the closing number, Rhythm Of Life,” Jon told The Sunday Post.

“She very warmly thanked everybody for being there and said how much it meant to her.

“And we all said how much it meant to us.

“Even though this was early in the afternoon she was saying how emotional she was finding it.

“And when she made her poignant speech at the end saying how much she missed him, there wasn’t a dry eye in the Palladium.”

Jon knew Bruce for around 15 years as they had the same agent. He says Bruce was an inspiratio­n – and was never short of advice.

“He was very mentoring of younger performers and he always had a great instinct for what was coming next.”

Tonight’s show is hosted by Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly, who worked alongside Bruce for years.

Sir Bruce: A Celebratio­n BBC1 tonight 9pm.

 ??  ?? Sir Bruce Forsyth
Sir Bruce Forsyth

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