Sir Bruce Forsyth dead at 89 – Relive some of his finest moments on Strictly Come Dancing, from tap dance to singing to Gangnam Style routines
THE entertainment world has lost a true legend in the form of Sir Bruce Forsyth who sadly passed away today.
The eternally upbeat television star thrilled audiences for more than 75 years before retiring from the spotlight in 2016.
Many will remember Sir Bruce for his gentle humour, singing skills and impressive tap dance abilities and for his hosting roles on family shows from The Generation Game to Play Your Cards Right.
However more still will have fond memories of Bruce’s brilliant hosting of the popular BBC celebrity dance competition Strictly Come Dancing.
Sir Bruce – who has died at the age of 89 – co-hosted the glitzy Saturday night entertainment show alongside Tess Daly between 2004 and 2013.
He then handed over hosting skills to Tess and Claudia Winkleman but made future special appearances for Christmas and Children In Need episodes that aired in 2014 and 2015.
While Strictly is a dance show for celebrities to learn and hone their dance moves, Sir Bruce certainly got involved in plenty of the action himself – frequently displaying his own moves and vocals.
Here are some of the late stars finest moments on the classic BBC show.
Star attraction
Sir Bruce proved his own credentials on many occasions during his time on Strictly Come Dancing.
While most know him as a television presenter he also had a past in music – releasing singles in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s – and albums in the ‘70s, naughties and in 2011.
Appearing on Strictly gave him the opportunity to showcase his own pipes – with his cover of the Frank Sinatra classic Fly Me To The Moon being one of his own stand out moments.
All singing – all dancing
It wasn’t just Bruce’s voice that viewers got treated to – he also showed off his own skillful dance moves.
A highlight of Strictly’s fourteen year history was back in 2008 during series 6 when Sir Bruce and show professional dancer Anton du Beke for a show stopping joint-performance.
The duo had their dance moves, voices and comedy timing down to a tee as they performed Me and My Shadow together.
Minor interruption
Sir Bruce proved that when it comes to live performing even the smallest hiccups can strike – literally.
During a live broadcast of the BBC show, Tess was talking to contestants when the cameras cut back to Brucie.
Poised and ready for his autocue, the TV legend spoke and then battled to gulp down a hiccup.
Laughing off the incident he carried on with the show like a true professional.
Forever young
Another of Brucie’s stand out performances was when he performed a solo rendition of the jazz classic Young and Foolish in series 9.
The performance was mainly Sir Bruce on his own – except for a brief dance interlude with two glamorous female dancers.
He looked genuinely thrilled by the studio audience’s warm reception (and judges standing ovation) as he humbly gushed “Thank you very much! You are very kind!”
Good humour
One of the reasons Sir Bruce was so well loved was the fact he knew never to take himself too seriously.
And this was perhaps best demonstrated during his time on Strictly during series 10 in 2012 when he led all the contestants in the Gangnam Style dance routine.
This was done four years before Ed Balls discovered it was his own personal best dance routine…
75 YEARS ON THE TELLY From Play Your Cards Right to Strictly Come Dancing, a look back at Bruce’s illustrious TV career
Beauty and the legend
In the 2009 series seven live final, Brucie thoroughly enjoyed a sing off with then-judge Alesha Dixon.
The host and the judge teamed up to belt out the Frank Sinatra classic Something’s Gotta Give – with Sir Bruce ultimately giving in to Alesha at the end of their routine.
As the TV legend fell into the arms of the judging beauty he couldn’t help but beam with joy.
Graceful handover
Viewers were sad to learn Sir Bruce was retiring from Strictly in 2013 after 11 series on the show.
But the presenting legend was gracious as he bowed out and passed the torch to Claudia Winkleman who took over co-hosting duties.
“I will really miss being here with this atmosphere… I’ll watch Strictly every week and then wine and dine my darling, beautiful wife, and then after that – bingo!” he joked.
However it wasn’t the last time Brucie appeared on the show as he returned in both 2014 and 2015 for Children In Need and Christmas specials.
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