Bruce Forsyth’s wife on how she prays he recovers and can perform again following difficult and ‘painful’ year

STRICTLY Come Dancing legend Bruce Forsyth has sparked concerns after retreating from the limelight in recent months due to poor health.

But now the 88-year-old TV star's beloved wife Wilnelia has revealed her hopes that he'll perform again, despite suffering two life-threatening aneurysms.

Bruce has been recovering from keyhole surgery, and was even forced to miss close friend Ronnie Corbett's funeral earlier this year.

And now his wife, 59, has revealed his constant health battle can often leave them "crying".

Former Miss World Wilnelia has been with Bruce for 36 years, and has been his biggest support in recent months.

Speaking about his health now, she told the 's YOU magazine: "The operation took his energy because of his age, there's no question about it. Some days are better than others. On the not-so-good days, he tries to rest."

She admitted they have had to talk about the future, but she prefers to avoid the difficult conversation.

"He’s the man I fell in love with because his brain is there," she admitted. "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."

Asked if she thinks he will perform again, she told the mag: "I hope so," before adding: "I pray. I believe."

The star's devoted wife admitted Bruce doesn't want to return to the limelight until he is "100 per cent well".

Wilnelia, who shares son Jonathan, 29, with the star, also gushed about her "very romantic" husband, and revealed they both watch daytime TV together, as Bruce still has a huge love for shows including The Olympics, Question Time and The Apprentice.

Meanwhile, Bruce's manager Ian Wilson released a statement previously, revealing he has no plans to quit the industry yet.

He said in a statement: "As is widely known, Sir Bruce is recuperating from various health issues. His sole focus at the moment is to continue getting better and he has made no formal or informal decision about retiring from show business."

Wilnelia admitted she has always seen Bruce as a "young guy", and even "sold it" to her mum that way when they first began dating.

Bruce has had an impressive career which has seen him become a household name.

He first appeared on TV in 1939 aged 11, singing and dancing on the show Come And Be Televised

Three years later he made his professional debut as The Mighty Atom, a solo song-and-dance act.

But his big break came when he 30 and he was given the job of hosting ITV’s Sunday Night At The London Palladium.

He then went on to front other big telly favourites including The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right.

He is best known these days for hosting Strictly Come Dancing.

Talking about leaving the show, he told Loose Women last year: “Whoever leaves a show at the top? Well I did. It was time for me to go, and there are other things to do.”

In 1998, Bruce was given and OBE and then went on to receive a knighthood in 2011.

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