‘Frail Brucie, 89, may never perform again’
‘I pray, I believe... sometimes we cry, mostly we laugh’
FEARS were growing last night that Sir Bruce Forsyth may never perform in public again after his close friend Jimmy Tarbuck described the TV legend as “frail”.
The Liverpudlian comic spoke out after 18 months in which the 89-year-old has suffered from a series of health problems.
The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter has been out of the public eye since being diagnosed with two aortic aneurysms in 2015.
Tarbuck, 77, told an audience in Blackpool last weekend: “He’s OK, but he’s a bit frail. He’s had an aneurysm. It’s very serious. I saw him a week ago. He is on good form.”
Yesterday, Sir Bruce’s spokesman declined to comment on the latest rumours about his health.
Fans have been concerned about the ex-Play Your Cards Right host since he disappeared from the spotlight after suffering a fall nearly two years ago.
He was initially expected to recover within a few months, but further setbacks confined him to his home in Virginia Water, Surrey.
Sir Bruce was found to be suffering from two aortic aneurysms and he underwent keyhole surgery in October 2015.
Last year he was too unwell to attend the funerals of his old and dear friends Ronnie Corbett and Terry Wogan.
He was also forced to drop out of a Children in Need special at the last minute due to his ailing health.
His former Miss World wife Wilnelia, 59, told in an emotional interview how she was “petrified” the father-of-six might not survive surgery.
“I don’t think about it too much,” she said. “I hope I’ll be prepared somehow, but it doesn’t feel real.
“He’s the man I fell in love with because his brain is there.
“He has a bit of a problem moving, but we still laugh and talk.
“I pray, I believe. The main thing is that he’s doing well. The pain is more emotional – sometimes we cry, but mostly we laugh.”
Sir Bruce went on to spend five days in intensive care in March after suffering a chest infection.
His daughter Julie Forsyth said at the time that the family were rallying around him and that he had been “doing great”.
“I have been to see him and he’s doing great,” she said. “He is getting over a chest infection so it’s a bit difficult, but he’s doing good.”
Another friend added: “Wilnelia was by his bedside virtually the entire time and has been amazing.
“Now Bruce just wants to get home and slowly build his strength back up again. He remains in great spirit.”
Sir Bruce’s manager Ian Wilson paid tribute to the hospital staff on his behalf, saying: “Sir Bruce Forsyth would like to thank everyone for their good wishes. He and his family would also like to say a special thank you to the NHS doctors, nurses and staff at St Peter’s Hospital for their kindness and care.”
Sir Bruce was knighted five years ago following a 70-year career which began at the age of 14 with a song and dance routine called Boy Bruce, The Mighty Atom.
His big television break came in 1958 presenting ITV’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium, which he later hosted with Tarbuck.
He went on to star in both BBC and ITV game shows such as Beat The Clock, Bruce Forsyth and The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and The Price Is Right. The veteran entertainer left Strictly three years ago but wanted to appear in Christmas and charity specials, until his poor health prevented him doing so.
He has been married three times. His children, Julie, Debbie, Louisa, Laura, Jonathan and Charlotte, have given him nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The knighthood followed a long campaign to see him honoured for his services to showbusiness.