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{{Infobox person
| name = Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE
| image = Bruce Forsyth1.jpg
| imagesize = 175px
| caption = Bruce Forsyth in 2007
| birth_name = Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1928|2|22}}
| birth_place = [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]], [[Middlesex]], England
| other_names = ''Brucie'', ''Brucey'', ''Bruce Johnson'', ''Bruce Forsyth Johnson'', ''Boy Bruce, ''the Mighty Atom'', ''Mr Entertainment'', ''Sir Brucie'', ''Sir Brucey''
| occupation = [[Presenter|Television presenter]], [[List of game show hosts|Game show host]], [[Comedian]], [[Dancer]], [[Singer]]
| years_active = 1939–present
| spouse = Penny Calvert <small>(1953–1973, divorced)</small><br>[[Anthea Redfern]] <small>(1973–1979, divorced)</small><br>[[Wilnelia Merced]] <small>(1983–present)</small>
| children = 5 daughters, 1 son
}}
'''Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson''' [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire|CBE]], (born 22 February 1928),<ref>[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3419687.ece Why I have done so well, by Bruce Forsyth, great-grandfather, at 80] 23 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.</ref> commonly known as '''Bruce Forsyth''', or '''Brucie''', is an [[English people|English]] TV host and entertainer whose career spans 72 years. He become famous through the 1950s series ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'', going on to present television series such as ''[[The Generation Game]]'', ''[[Play Your Cards Right]]'', ''[[The Price Is Right (UK game show)|The Price Is Right (UK)]]'' and ''[[You Bet!]]''. Forsyth is known for his catchphrases, as of 2012 he was hosting the 10th series of top rated show ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''.

==Early life==
Forsyth was born in [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]], London, the son of Florence Ada (née Pocknell) and John Thomas Forsyth-Johnson.<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/33/Bruce-Forsyth.html Profile at Film Reference.com]</ref> His family owned a car repair garage in Victoria Road, Edmonton, and as members of the [[Salvation Army]] his parents played [[Brass band (British style)|brass instruments]] and his mother was a singer.<ref name="Guard1">{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2226793,00.html|title=Didn't he do well ...|author=Cooke, Rachel|publisher=The Guardian|date=16 December 2007 |accessdate=4 January 2008|location=London}}</ref> His great grandfather [[Joseph Forsyth Johnson]] (1840–1906) was a landscape architect who worked in Russia, Ireland and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-10665583|title=Bruce Forsyth discovers 'bigamist' in his family tree|author=BBC|publisher=BBC News|date=19 July 2010|accessdate=19 July 2010|location=London}}</ref> His great-great-great-great grandfather [[William Forsyth (horticulturist)|William Forsyth]] (1737–1804) was a founder of the [[Royal Horticultural Society]] and the namesake of the plant [[genus]] ''[[Forsythia]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Family detective: Bruce Forsyth|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=6 December 2006|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1435131/Family-detective-Bruce-Forsyth.html|location=London|first=Nick|last=Barratt|accessdate=27 April 2010}}</ref>

=="Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom"==
Forsyth attended [[The Latymer School]]. After watching [[Fred Astaire]] in films at age eight, he trained in [[dance]] in [[Tottenham]] and then [[Brixton]].<ref name="Guard1"/> He started in show business aged 14, with a song, dance, and [[accordion]] act called "Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom." His first appearance was at the Theatre Royal, [[Bilston]], with ''The Great Marzo'' at the top of the bill.<ref name="Guard1"/> Forsyth made his television debut in 1939 as a child, singing and dancing on a talent show introduced by [[Jasmine Bligh]], probably an episode of ''Come and Be Televised'' (BBC, 1939), broadcast from [[Radiolympia]].<ref>[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1039077/index.html Profile at Screen Online.org]</ref>

==Post Second World War theatre==
Forsyth continued to perform through the [[Second World War]], even after the death of his [[Royal Air Force]] pilot brother John in 1943 over [[RAF Turnberry|Turnberry]], Scotland.<ref name="Mirror1">{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/02/22/tv-legend-bruce-forsyth-celebrates-his-80th-birthday-today-89520-20327325/|title=TV legend Bruce Forsyth celebrates his 80th birthday today|author=Carroll, Sue|date= 22 February 2008|accessdate= 4 July 2008}}</ref> After the war, with the goal of joining [[Moss Empires]] theatres, he spent years on stage with little success and travelled the UK working seven days a week, doing summer seasons, [[pantomime]]s and [[circus]]es, where he became renowned for his strong-man act.

In 1958 an appearance with the comedian [[Dickie Henderson]] led to his being offered the job of compère of [[Val Parnell]]'s weekly TV variety show, ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]''. He hosted the show for two years, followed by a year's break, then returned for another year. His schedule of stage performances, which continued throughout the 1960s, forced him to give up the job of host.

In 1968, he played alongside [[Julie Andrews]] in the musical movie ''[[Star! (film)|Star!]]'', a biopic of stage actress [[Gertrude Lawrence]]. In 1976, he appeared on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' where he took on the famous duo of [[Statler & Waldorf]].

==Game show host==
<!-- [[File:Pycr.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Play Your Cards Right|Bruce Forsyth's Play Your Cards Right]]'']] -->
During his spell of hosting ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' as part of the show he hosted the 15 minute game show "[[Beat The Clock]]". Forsyth's next success was ''[[The Generation Game|Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game]]'' ([[BBC1]], 1971–1977, 1990–1994) which proved popular and attracted huge Saturday evening audiences. It was on this show that Forsyth introduced his "[[The Thinker]]" pose, emulating [[Auguste Rodin|Rodin]]'s sculpture, appearing in silhouette each week after the opening titles. This pose is reminiscent of the circus strong-man attitude. He also wrote and sang the theme for the show "Life Is The Name of the Game."

He left the BBC in 1978 to present ''[[Bruce Forsyth's Big Night]]'', which was also transmitted on Saturday evening, but on rival broadcaster ITV. However, the show was not a success and lasted just the one series. He was replaced on ''The Generation Game'' by [[Larry Grayson]]. Forsyth remained with ITV, hosting the game show ''[[Play Your Cards Right]]'', which was the UK version of the US original ''[[Card Sharks]]'' (1980–87, 1994–99 and a brief period in 2002 before the show was cancelled due to low ratings).

In 1986, he went to the United States to host a game show on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], ''[[Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak]]'', which ran for 65 episodes from January to April that year. Forsyth starred in the [[Thames Television]] sitcom ''[[Slinger's Day]]'' in 1986 and 1987, taking over a role played by [[Leonard Rossiter]]. His television appearances since the 1960s have included variety, comedy and light entertainment shows.

He was the original host of ''[[You Bet!]]'' (1988 to 1990) before the show reached mainstream success under the stewardship of [[Matthew Kelly]]. Forsyth fronted the third version of ''[[The Price Is Right (UK game show)|The Price Is Right]]'' (1995 to 2001). Forsyth's unsuccessful gameshows include ''Takeover Bid'' (1990 to 1991), ''Hollywood Or Bust'' (1984), ''Bruce's Guest Night'' (1992 to 1993) and ''Didn't They Do Well'' (2004). During the 1970s Bruce featured in the "Stork Margarine" adverts on television and then during the 1980s and 1990s he appeared in advertising for the furniture retailer [[Courts Plc|Courts]], in which he dressed as a [[judge]]. {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

Forsyth celebrated his 70th birthday in 1998 and appeared in a week-long run of his one-man show at the [[London Palladium]], culminating in a 90-minute edition of ''Sunday Night at the London Palladium'' live on [[ITV]]. In 2000, Forsyth hosted a series called ''Tonight at the London Palladium'', which revived the original format. The show was not picked up for a further series. {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

==Comeback==
In 2003, and again in 2010, Forsyth was a guest presenter on the news and satire quiz show, ''[[Have I Got News For You]]''. During the first of these appearances, he presented a parody of his ''Play Your Cards Right'' format entitled ''Play Your Iraqi Cards Right''. He has been co-presenter of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' since 2004. On 20 March 2010, Forsyth's interview on the autobiography-interview programme ''[[Piers Morgan's Life Stories]]'' was aired on [[ITV]].

On 7 April 2010, Forsyth become one of the first three celebrities to be subjected to the British version of the American institution of a [[Roast (comedy)|comedy roast]], on Channel 4's ''[[A Comedy Roast]]''. Forsyth was the subject of the [[BBC]] [[genealogy]] series ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series)]]'', broadcast on 19 July 2010.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t6gbb "Who Do You Think You Are?"]; retrieved 23 July 2010</ref>

In 2011 Forsyth released a collection of songs on CD called ''These Are My Favourites''. He chose the songs for their personal and musical importance. Including a duet with his granddaughter Sophie Purdie. ''These Are My Favourites'' also includes a recording of Paper Moon with Nat ‘King’ Cole.

==Tributes and honours==
On 27 February 2005, the BBC screened ''A [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] Tribute to Bruce Forsyth'', to mark the entertainer's 60 years in show business. Forsyth had a bronze bust of himself unveiled at the [[London Palladium]] in May 2005. The [[sculpture]] was created by his son-in-law, and is on display in the theatre's Cinderella Bar.

He was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in 1998 and [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the 2006 New Year Honours. His showbiz awards include [[Variety Club]] Show Business Personality of the Year in 1975; ''[[TV Times]]'' Male TV Personality of the Year, in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978; and BBC TV Personality of the Year in 1991. {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

In 1987, a fan club was created - The Great Bruce Forsyth Social Club. They would later go on to assist Forsyth in singing his opening number "It's Never Too Late" at his Audience With show. Bruce repaid this favour by adding the society to his busy schedule in June 1997, and appeared at their 10th AGM in Plymouth, and also mentioned them in his autobiography.

In December 2007, his catchphrase 'Nice to see you, to see you, nice' was voted the most popular UK catchphrase by the British public. On 24 February 2008, the BBC featured an 85-minute programme celebrating the star's 80th birthday, entitled "Happy Birthday Brucie!"

In 2008, he was made a Fellow of [[BAFTA]]. In 2009, he was awarded the ''Theatre Performers Award'' at the annual [[Carl Alan Awards]]. Hosted by the [[International Dance Teachers' Association]], the awards are voted for by the leading dance organisations in the United Kingdom and recognise those who have made an exceptional contribution to the world of dance and theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.idta.co.uk/Site2/PDFs/press_release_carl_alan_awards_2009_results.pdf|title= Results of the 2009 Carl-Alan Awards}}</ref>

He received a [[Royal Television Society]] Lifetime Achievement Award on 17 March 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rts.org.uk/programme-awards-winners-2008|title=Programme Awards Winners 2008|year=2009|publisher=Royal Television Society|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> On 26 January 2011 he received the [[National Television Awards#16th awards (2011)|National Television Awards]] special recognition award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaltvawards.com/past-winners#y2011|title=Winners 2011|publisher=[[National Television Awards]]|date=26 January 2011|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref>

He was made a [[Knight Bachelor]] in the [[2011 Birthday Honours]] for services to entertainment and charity.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59808|date=11 June 2011|startpage=1|supp=yes}}</ref> This followed a years-long public campaign to award Forsyth a knighthood. His investiture, by the Queen, took place on 12 October 2011 and he became Sir Bruce Forsyth-Johnson CBE.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15270608|title=Sir Bruce Forsyth collects knighthood from the Queen|date=12 October 2011|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>

Forsyth earned a place in the 2013 Guinness book of world records as the male TV entertainer having had the longest career, calling it a "wonderful surprise". <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19516385|title=Sir Bruce Forsyth becomes record breaker|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=07 September 2012|accessdate=07 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/sir-bruce-forsyth-acknowledged-for-long-career-with-guinness-world-record-8116723.html|title= Sir Bruce Forsyth acknowledged for long career with Guinness World Record
|accessdate=07-09-2012}}</ref>

==Personal life==
From 1953 to 1973, Forsyth was married to Penny Calvert, with whom he had three daughters: Debbie, Julie and Laura. According to his autobiography, he dated [[Miss World 1964]] [[Ann Sidney]] during her reign<ref>Bruce Forsyth: The Autobiography. Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd (10 October 2001) ISBN 978-0-283-07338-0</ref> and in a 2009 interview, [[Kathy Kirby]] claimed to have been Forsyth's lover and that he proposed marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/87084/EXCLUSIVE-Kathy-Kirby-breaks-her-26-year-silence|title= Kathy Kirby breaks her 26-year silence|publisher= Sunday Express|date=1 March 2009|accessdate= 22 March 2009}}</ref> From 1973 to 1979, he was married to [[Anthea Redfern]], who had been the hostess on ''The Generation Game'' with whom he had two daughters: Charlotte and Louisa. Asked to judge the [[Miss World 1980|1980 Miss World]] competition, he fell in love with fellow judge, the 1975 Miss World, [[Wilnelia Merced]];<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0287028/bio Bruce Forsyth IMDb profile]</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bruce Forsyth|work=The Observer|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/recorddoctor/story/0,,1369014,00.html|date=12 December 2004|location=London|accessdate=27 April 2010}}</ref> they married in 1983, and have one son together, Jonathan Joseph Mark Forsyth Johnson (born 1987).{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} By his six children, he has eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Due to his love of golf, his main residence is at the [[Wentworth Estate]] adjacent to the [[Wentworth Club|Wentworth golf course]] near [[Virginia Water]] in northwest [[Surrey]]. A childhood supporter of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], when the team's [[Arsenal Stadium|stadium]] was taken for air-defence searchlights during the Second World War, matches were played at [[Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|Tottenham Hotspur's]] [[White Hart Lane]] ground, so he became a supporter of both clubs.<ref name="Mirror1"/> His daughter Julie was a member of the Pop Group [[Guys 'n' Dolls]]. She later formed the duo "Grant & Forsyth" with her husband Dominic Grant who had also been a member of Guys 'n' Dolls.

Forsyth has his own company, ''Bruce Forsyth Enterprises Ltd'', based in [[Surrey]], to run his day to day monetary affairs.<ref>[http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/celebrity/article.html?in_article_id=519103&in_page_id=181]</ref>

==Television and film==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1957–1961 || ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 1966 || ''The Bruce Forsyth Show'' || Host || TV
|-
| 1966 <br> 1975 || ''Frankie and Bruce'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Star! (film)|Star!]] || Arthur Lawrence || Film
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?]]'' || Uncle Limelight ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Red Peppers]]'' || George Pepper || TV
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'' || Swinburne, Bookman's henchman || Film
|-
| 1971 || ''[[The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins]]'' || Avarice Segment ||
|-
| 1971–1977 <br> 1990–1994 || ''[[The Generation Game|Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 1976 ||''[[The Muppet Show]]'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 1978–1980 || ''Disco Bruce'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Bruce Forsyth's Big Night]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 1980–1987 <br> 1994–1999 <br> 2002–2003 || ''[[Play Your Cards Right|Bruce Forsyth's Play Your Cards Right]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.: A Little Bit of Luck...A Little Bit of Grief]]'' || || TV
|-
| 1988 || ''Bruce and Ronnie'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 1988–1990 || ''[[You Bet!]]'' || || TV
|-
| 1990–1991 || ''Takeover Bid'' || || TV
|-
| 1995–2001 || ''[[The Price is Right (UK)|Bruce's Price is Right]]'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 1997 || ''[[An Audience with...|An Audience with Bruce Forsyth]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 1998 || ''The Game (1998 film)|The Game'' || || Film
|-
| 2000 || ''Tonight at the London Palladium'' || Himself || TV
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' || Guest Appearance || TV
|-
| 2003 || ''Bruce Forsyth Host'' || Himself || DVD / [[Guest appearance]] on ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' DVD
|-
| 2004 || ''Didn't They Do Well!'' || Host || TV
|-
| 2004 – present || ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 2007 || ''[[The Generation Game|The Generation Game: Then Again]]'' || Host || TV
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Have I Got News For You]]'' || Guest Appearance || TV
|-
|2010 || ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' || Guest Appearance || TV
|-
|2011 || ''[[The Rob Brydon Show]]'' || Guest || TV
|-
| 2012 || [[National Television Awards]] || Guest (With Ant & Dec) || TV
|}

==Discography==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]
|-
! scope="row" | ''Both Sides of Bruce (Live)''
|
* First Studio album
* Released: 1977
* Label: [[Warner Bros. Records]]
| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''Come Get It!''
|
* Second Studio album
* Released: 1979
* Label: [[Pye Records]]
| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''Mr. Entertainment''
|
* Third Studio album
* Released: 19 March 2007
* Label: [[EMI Records]]
| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[These Are My Favourites]]''
|
* Fourth Studio album
* Released: 7 November 2011
* Label: [[EMI Records]]
| 58
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{IMDb name|287028}}
* [http://www.globalcitizen.co.uk/wp/bruce-forsyth-challenge "Traveller, Tom Grundy, honouring Forsythe around the world"]
* [http://www.itv.com/Entertainment/comedy/Brucieturns80/default.html Bruce Forsyth 80th birthday tribute on itv.com]
* [http://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/2010/04/tribute-to-one-of-our-greatest-entertainers-bruce-forsyth Tribute to Forsyth at British Classic Comedy website]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = None
| title = Host of ''[[The Generation Game]]''
| years = 1971–77
| after = [[Larry Grayson]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = None
| title = Host of ''[[You Bet!]]''
| years = 1988–90
| after = [[Matthew Kelly]]
}}
{{succession box
| before= [[Larry Grayson]]
| title = Host of ''[[The Generation Game]]''
| years = 1990–94
| after = [[Jim Davidson (comedian)|Jim Davidson]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Jim Davidson (comedian)|Jim Davidson]]
| title = Host of ''[[The Generation Game]]''
| years = 2007
| after = Programme ended
}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Bob Warman]]
| title = Host of ''[[The Price Is Right (UK game show)|The Price is Right]]''
| years = 1995–2001
| after = [[Joe Pasquale]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = None
| title = Host of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''
| years = 2004–present
| after = Incumbent
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}

{{Strictly Come Dancing}}

<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME = Forsyth, Bruce
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Forsyth-Johnson, Bruce Joseph
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Presenter, entertainer, musician
|DATE OF BIRTH = 22 February 1928
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Edmonton, London, England
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forsyth, Bruce}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:English entertainers]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:English people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:English game show hosts]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Edmonton, London]]
[[Category:Strictly Come Dancing]]
[[Category:English television personalities]]
[[Category:People educated at The Latymer School]]

[[ga:Bruce Forsyth]]
[[la:Bruce Forsyth]]
[[simple:Bruce Forsyth]]

Revision as of 13:42, 20 September 2012

<===3

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