Sir Bruce Forsyth - The life and times of a national treasure

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH EDITOR:

Contents

Jack Harrison

PRODUCTION EDITOR: Pauline Hawkins

DESIGNER: Craig Lamb design_lamb@btinternet.com

COVER DESIGN: Holly Furness

REPROGRAPHICS: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield

ADVERTISING: Mortons Media Group 01507 529529

PUBLISHER: Steve O’Hara

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Hole

MARKETING MANAGER: Charlotte Park cpark@mortons.co.uk

PRINTED BY: William Gibbons and Sons, Wolverhampton

ISBN: 978-1-911276-31-9

PUBLISHED BY: Mortons Media Group Ltd,

10

Chapter 1 Sir Bruce Joseph ForsythJohnson CBE

16

Chapter 2 Bruce’s early career

18

Chapter 3 Bruce, and Penny Calvert

22

Chapter 4 Sunday Night at the London Palladium and the Royal Variety Performance

Media Centre, Morton Way Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529

COPYRIGHT: Mortons Media Group Ltd 2017 all rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system

72

Chapter 8 Bruce Forsyth, the host

78

Chapter 9 Bruce, and Anthea Redfern

82

Chapter 10 Awards, honours and milestones

94

Chapter 11 Bruce, and Wilnelia Merced

98

Chapter 12 Lady Wilnelia Forsyth

32

Chapter 5 A Sixties sensation

108

Chapter 13 Strictly Come Dancing

42

Chapter 6 Golf… is it only a game?

114

Chapter 14 A national treasure

52

Chapter 7 A true all-rounder

122

Chapter 15 Arise, Sir Brucie

62

Bruce Forsyth: A Life in Pictures

126

Chapter 16 The end of an era

without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

3

WHAT THEY SAID TRIBUTE

Sir Bruce, we salute you...

Immediately after the star’s death, a host of celebrities took to Twitter to pay homage to Sir Bruce.

Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly paid tribute, saying: “There are no words to describe how heartbroken I am to be told the saddest news, that my dear friend Sir Bruce Forsyth has passed away. From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences he so loved. He has been there for me as a co-host, a mentor, but most importantly as a friend, and I’m extremely fortunate to have worked alongside the man who defined Saturday night entertainment for so many decades. He was a gentleman and a true legend and I will miss him deeply. My heart goes out to Winnie, his wife, and his beautiful family at this sad time.”

Lord Sugar tweeted:

“Sad news about Sir Bruce Forsyth what a legend of entertainment. He was a friend. The whole country will miss him RIP.”

Claudia Winkleman added: “He was the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people... all toe-tapping twinkle, all kindness, all love.... The Bruce you saw really was the man he was. We’ll miss him so much.”

Comedian and Coronation Street actor Les Dennis added these thoughts: “I thought Brucie would go on forever. A star, an icon, a lovely man. Thoughts with his family. RIP Sir Bruce Forsyth.”

Piers Morgan said: “RIP Sir Bruce Forsyth, 89. One of Britain’s greatest ever entertainers & a lovely man. Very sad news.”

Eighties pop star Boy George added his thoughts: “R.I.P Bruce Forsyth. A true British legend. What a life!”

Singer Aled Jones praised Sir Bruce’s effect on his own career: “The world has lost a legend RIP Sir Bruce Forsyth. My life has been blessed knowing the man.

Learnt so much watching him in action!”

4

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

5

CHAPTER 2

6

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

7

CHAPTER 2

8

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

9

CHAPTER 1

Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson CBE

W

hen news broke of Sir Bruce Forsyth’s death on August 18, 2017, the tributes came pouring through in their thousands – a sign of the adoration and respect felt for the show business legend by his fans, friends and colleagues alike.

Those fortunate enough to have worked with him recounted a gifted entertainer and consummate professional. Those who’d been inspired into the industry by his remarkable talents spoke of their gratitude, and others just thanked the man they knew as Brucie for having brought fun and laughter into their living rooms on so many occasions.

His appeal spanned the generations, across a career that began with a song-and-dance act during the Second World War and ended a remarkable 75 years later as the face of Strictly Come Dancing – one of the most successful shows in the history of BBC television.

In between he’d forged a reputation as the UK’s premier compere during his run on Sunday Night at the Palladium. He also enjoyed an acting career in film, on TV and the stage as well as popular runs in musical theatre.

But of course it was as a game show host that Bruce truly made his mark. It began with his popular Generation Game series, and the winners kept on coming with You Bet!, Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right all going on to huge ratings success as Bruce cemented his name as Britain’s best entertainer.

He will rightly be remembered as a master of his craft and a personality one could not help but like and admire. Therefore it’s with a mix of sadness and pride that we present these 132 pages, reflecting on the life and times of Sir Bruce. His was certainly a very good game.

10

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

11

CHAPTER 1

12

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

13

CHAPTER 1

14

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH

15

A celebrity without equal, Sir Bruce Forsyth graced stage and screen for more than 75 years. From his early days treading the boards to his star-studded appearances on long-running BBC TV series Strictly Come Dancing, Bruce enchanted audiences with his unique style and carved a successful career in show business which saw him elevated to entertainment icon without parallel.

This colourful, picture-packed publication pays tribute to the man, the celebrity, the star, whose quick wit and ready ripostes delighted audiences of all ages. There are photographs of Sir Bruce rubbing shoulders with actors, royalty and sporting giants, doing the things he loved – dancing, playing golf, relaxing with his family – and most importantly of all, making those around him happy, whether they were audiences in their thousands or an intimate gathering of friends and relatives. In summary, Sir Bruce has left a legacy of love and laughter – an act that will truly be hard to follow.

£6.99