Bruce Forsyth dead at 89 – from Play Your Cards Right to Strictly Come Dancing, a look back at his illustrious TV career
SIR Bruce Forsyth's career has spanned almost eight decades and following his death aged 89, we look at his incredible life in front of the camera.
We revealed today the telly favourite died after suffering a number of health issues in recent years including a fall in 2015 which saw him rushed to hospital and subsequent surgery for two life-threatening aneurysms after tests were carried out following his fall.
First TV appearance
Bruce was inspired to be a performer after watching Fred Astaire films when he was eight-years-old and went on to train as a dancer.
In 1939, at the age of 11, he made his first TV appearance singing and dancing on a show called Come and Be Televised.
Just three years later, in 1942, he created his one man act 'Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom' and he topped the bill at the Theatre Royal in Bilston, Scotland.
His big break
His entertainment career was somewhat stalled when he was drafted into the Royal Air Force but in 1958 he landed the job of compère on Val Parnell's variety show, Sunday Night at the London Palladium.
He hosted the show for two years, then took a break for a year but Bruce's stage career was so successful that he was forced to quit the weekly entertainment show.
Bruce's first film role came 10 years later in the musical film Star! opposite Julie Andrews.
Game Show host
Before Strictly Come Dancing, Bruce was probably best known for hosting a slew of popular game shows.
In 1971 he landed the job of hosting The Generation Game, which went on to become one of the most successful TV shows of the decade running until 1997 and being resurrected between 1990 and 1994.
It was on this Saturday night show that Bruce introduced his iconic 'The Thinker' pose which appeared in the opening credits.
He left the BBC in 1978 to front Bruce Forsyth's Big Night on ITV but the show wasn't a success and only lasted one series.
Bruce stayed at ITV and went on to host Play Your Cards Right which aired from 1980-87, 1994-99 and for a brief period between 2002-03.
In 1986, Bruce cracked America hosting Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak on ABC which ran for 65 episodes.
Forsyth then turned his hand to acting and appeared in sitcom Slinger's Day in 1986 and 1987.
Brucie also fronted the revival of The Price Is Right from 2005 until 2001.
Career revival
Brucey burst back onto TV screens across the country when he fronted hit BBC news show Have I Got News For You.
In 2003, he presented a risque spin-off of Play Your Cards Right - entitled Play Your Iraqi Cards Right, before being invited back in 2010 when he quipped about the dishes served at his Chinese Takeaway.
In the same year, he was profiled on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are, before he received a grilling from ex newspaper man Piers Morgan in his iconic Life Stories series of shows.
To round off his career comeback, he released new CD These Are My Favourites which included a sweet duet with his granddaughter Sophie Purdie.
Strictly Come Dancing
They say they save the best for last, and arguably Sir Bruce Forsyth’s final hosting spot was his greatest.
In 2004 the presenting legend teamed up with Tess Daly to co-host Strictly Come Dancing where he brought his gentle humour and knowledge of dance to entertain millions every week night.
Sir Bruce was arguably the star of the show over the 11 series that he helmed as he proved he could dance as well as (if not better than) many of the celebrities that were taking part in the hit BBC dance competition.
Viewers were frequently treated to his tap dancing abilities and in some episodes he took to the main ballroom floor himself to twirl with some of the female contestants and professional dancers.
He also showcased his expert singing abilities – duetting with Alesha Dixon and Anton du Beke over the course of his years.
By 2014, however, the TV legend decided it was time to take a step back from the spotlight and he handed over hosting responsibilities to Tess and Claudia Winkleman who have been fronting the show ever since.
However Bruice would later return to the show in 2014 and 2015 during special Children In Need and Christmas episodes of the BAFTA winning dance show.
Awards and honours
The TV presenter is well-adorned with awards and recognition from royalty.
In 1998 he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) followed eight years later by Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2006 New Year Honours.
The previous year, 2005, saw him made a Fellow of BAFTA.
Bruce then picked up the iconic Royal Television Society Lifetime Achievement Award on March 17, 2009.
His big knighthood - in the official title of Knight Bachelor - came in the Queen's 2011 Birthday Honours for his services to charity and entertainment, and off the back of a strong public campaign.
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