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Bruce Forsyth

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Bruce Forsyth
CBE
Forsyth in 2006
Born
Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson

(1928-02-22) 22 February 1928 (age 96)
Edmonton, Middlesex, England
NationalityBritish
Other names
  • Bruce Johnson
  • Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom
Occupation(s)Television presenter, actor, comedian, singer, dancer, entertainer, screenwriter
Years active1939–2015
Television
Spouses
Penny Calvert
​
(m. 1953⁠–⁠1973)​
​
(m. 1973⁠–⁠1979)​
​
(m. 1983)​
Children6
RelativesJoseph Forsyth Johnson
(great grandfather)
William Forsyth
(4x great grandfather)

Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson CBE (born 22 February 1928)[1] is an English television presenter and entertainer whose career has spanned more than 75 years. In 2012, Guinness World Records recognised Forsyth as having the longest television career for a male entertainer.[2] Forsyth came to national attention from the mid-1950s through the ITV series Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Since then he has hosted several game shows, including The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right and You Bet!. He co-presented Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013.[3] Forsyth is known for his catchphrases, "Nice to see you, to see you nice" and "Didn't he (/she/they) do well?".

Early life

Forsyth was born in Victoria Road, Edmonton, Middlesex, the son of Florence Ada (née Pocknell) and John Thomas Forsyth-Johnson.[4] His family owned a car repair garage in Victoria Road, Edmonton, and as members of the Salvation Army his parents played brass instruments and his mother was a singer.[5] His great-grandfather Joseph Forsyth Johnson (1840–1906) was a landscape architect who worked in Russia, Ireland, and the United States.[6] His great-great-great-great-grandfather William Forsyth (1737–1804) was a founder of the Royal Horticultural Society and the namesake of the plant genus Forsythia.[7]

"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.[5] 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 in Bilston, with The Great Marzo at the top of the bill.[5] 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.[8] Forsyth continued to perform through the Second World War, during which his brother John, a pilot in the Royal Air Force, was killed in 1943, during a training exercise, at Turnberry, Scotland.[9]

Post-war work

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, pantomimes and circuses, where he became renowned for his strong-man act. His act was interrupted by call-up papers for National Service when he was drafted into the Royal Air Force.[10]

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 the musical film Star! (1968), a biopic of stage actress Gertrude Lawrence, he played alongside lead performer Julie Andrews as Lawrence's father.

In January 1968 Pye Records issued as a single "I'm Backing Britain", supporting the campaign of the same name, written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, and sung by Forsyth. The chorus included "The feeling is growing, so let's keep it going, the good times are blowing our way". All involved in making the single took cuts in their fees or royalties so that the single sold for 5s. instead of the going rate of 7s. 4½d. Forsyth happily endorsed the campaign, saying "The country has always done its best when it is up against the wall. If everyone realises what we are up against we can get out of trouble easily."[11] However, the song did not make the charts;[12] it sold only 7,319 copies.[13]

On 7 October 1968, he was top of the bill on the opening night of the Golden Garter nightclub, Wythenshawe. In 1976 he appeared on The Muppet Show where he took on the famous duo of Statler & Waldorf.

Game show host

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 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 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 for just 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 2002–03 before the show was axed mid-run due to low ratings). In 1986, he went to the United States to host a game show on ABC, Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak, which ran for 65 episodes from January to April that year. Shortly after, Forsyth was considered by Mark Goodson to be a candidate for hosting the revival of Card Sharks; ultimately the jobs went to Bob Eubanks (for the daytime version that aired on CBS), and Bill Rafferty (who hosted the nighttime syndicated version). Forsyth starred in the Thames Television sitcom Slinger's Day in 1986 and 1987, a sequel to Tripper's Day which had starred Leonard Rossiter, whom Forsyth replaced in the new show. 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 (1995 to 2001). Forsyth's unsuccessful gameshows include Takeover Bid (1990 to 1991), Hollywood Or Bust (1984) 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, in which he dressed as a judge.[14]

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 revived series called Tonight at the London Palladium.

Career revival

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 co-presented Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013, formally stepping down from hosting the regular live show in April 2014. This decision was made to reduce his workload and for the preparation of pre-recorded specials.[15]

On 7 April 2010, Forsyth became one of the first three celebrities to be subjected to the British version of the American institution of a comedy roast, on Channel 4's A Comedy Roast. Forsyth was the subject of the BBC genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, broadcast on 19 July 2010.[16] On 20 March 2010, Forsyth appeared on the autobiography-interview programme Piers Morgan's Life Stories which was broadcast on ITV.

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

Forsyth's 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]

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. He 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.

Forsyth was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998[17] and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2006 New Year Honours.[18]

On 27 February 2005, the BBC screened A BAFTA Tribute to Bruce Forsyth to mark the entertainer's 60 years in show business. He 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.

In December 2007, Forsyth's 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 his 80th birthday, entitled Happy Birthday Brucie!

In 2008, Forsyth was made a Fellow of BAFTA. In 2009, he was awarded the Theatre Performer's 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.[19]

Forsyth received a Royal Television Society Lifetime Achievement Award on 17 March 2009.[20] On 26 January 2011 he received the National Television Awards special recognition award.[21]

Forsyth was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity.[22] This followed a years-long public campaign to award him a knighthood. His investiture, by the Queen, took place on 12 October 2011 and he became Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE.[23]

In July 2012, Forsyth was given the honour of carrying the Olympic flame through London, as it finally reached the city on the penultimate day of the London 2012 Torch Relay.[24]

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".[25][26]

Forsyth also appeared at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival on the Avalon stage, becoming one of the oldest performers to ever play at the festival.[27]

Forsyth has also been subjected to a comedy roast, of which included his now-wife and comedians Jimmy Carr, Sean Lock, and Jason Manford, amongst others.

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[28] and in a 2009 interview, Kathy Kirby claimed that she had been Forsyth's lover and that he had proposed marriage.[29] From 1973 to 1979, he was married to Anthea Redfern, the hostess on The Generation Game; they had two daughters, Charlotte and Louisa. Asked to judge the 1980 Miss World competition, he fell in love with fellow judge, the 1975 Miss World, Wilnelia Merced from Puerto Rico;[30][31] they married in 1983, and have one son together. By his six children, he has nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.[32]

Owing to his love of golf, his main residence is at the Wentworth Estate adjacent to the Wentworth Golf Course near Virginia Water in northwest Surrey. A childhood supporter of Arsenal, when the team's stadium was taken for air-defence searchlights during the Second World War, matches were played at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground, so he became a supporter of both clubs.[9] His daughter Julie was a member of the pop group Guys 'n' Dolls. She later formed the duo "Grant & Forsyth [nl]" 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.[33]

Forsyth is an avid supporter and ambassador for the children's charity, Caudwell Children,[34] regularly appearing at many of their high-profile fund raising events.[35]

In August 2014, Forsyth was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue.[36]

On 8 October 2015 Forsyth was rushed to hospital after falling at his home, tripping over his rug and hitting his head. He suffered cuts and a minor concussion but was otherwise unhurt.[37] On 12 November he underwent surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, but was expected to make a speedy recovery.[38] As a result of his surgery Forsyth had to pull out of his expected hosting of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. A spokesman said that he was unable to host the show but would still play a part in the production, recording a special video message.[39] His most recent TV appearance was on the Strictly Children in Need Special in November 2015.

On 21 February 2016 it was reported that Forsyth was recovering after undergoing "life-saving surgery". He paid tribute in a live interview on BBC News to his longtime friend Ronnie Corbett on the day of his death (31 March 2016), but was too frail to attend his funeral on 16 April.[40]

Television and film

Year Title Role Notes
1958–1964 Sunday Night at the London Palladium Host TV
1960 The Royal Variety Performance Host TV
1961 The Royal Variety Performance Host TV
1965–1973 The Bruce Forsyth Show Host TV
1966
1975		 Frankie and Bruce Co-star TV
1968 Star! Arthur Lawrence Film
1969 Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? Uncle Limelight Film
1969 Red Peppers George Pepper TV
1971 Bedknobs and Broomsticks Swinburne, Bookman's henchman Film
1971 The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins Clayton (segment "Avarice") Film
1971–1977
1990–1994		 The Generation Game Host TV
1971 The Royal Variety Performance Host TV
1974 Bruce Forsyth Meets Lulu Host TV
1976 The Muppet Show Guest star TV
1978–1980 Disco Bruce Host TV
1978 Bruce Forsyth's Big Night Host TV
1980 Sammy and Bruce Co-star TV
1980–1987
1994–1999
2002–2003		 Play Your Cards Right Host TV
1983 Anna Pavlova Alfred Batt Film
1984 Hollywood or Bust Host TV
1986 Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak Host TV
1986 Magnum, P.I.: A Little Bit of Luck...A Little Bit of Grief TV
1986/1987 Slinger's Day Slinger TV
1987 Wogan Stand-in Host TV
1988 The Royal Variety Performance Co-host with Ronnie Corbett TV
1988 Bruce and Ronnie Co-star TV
1988–1990 You Bet! Host TV
1990–1991 Takeover Bid Host TV
1992 - 1993 Bruce's Guest Night Host TV
1995–2001 Bruce's Price is Right Host TV
1997 An Audience with Bruce Forsyth Host TV
1998 The Game Film
2000 House! Bruce Forsyth Film
2000 Tonight at the London Palladium Host TV
2003 Have I Got News for You Guest Host 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
2004–2013
(Specials: Children in Need Special 2014, Christmas Special 2014, Children in Need Special 2015)		 Strictly Come Dancing Co-host with Tess Daly TV
2007 Brucie's Generation Game: Now and Then Host TV
2010 Have I Got News for You Guest Host TV
2010 Who Do You Think You Are? Guest Host TV
2011 The Rob Brydon Show Guest TV
2012 National Television Awards Guest (With Ant & Dec) TV
2013 Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Guest (Little Ant & Dec segment) TV
2013 When Miranda Met Bruce Guest star TV
2014 The Michael McIntyre Chat Show Guest TV
2014 The Paul O'Grady Show Guest TV
2014 Perspectives: Bruce Forsyth on Sammy Davis Jr Host TV
2014 Alan Carr: Chatty Man Guest TV
2014 Bruce's Hall of Fame Host TV

Theatre

Year Title Role(s) Notes
1958 / '59 - 2004 His One-Man show, which has had various titles, including, Bruce Forysth in his own One-Man Laughter Show...and his Piano Himself He toured the UK regularly with his One-Man show
1962 Every Night at the Palladium Himself He starred with Morecambe and Wise in a season at the London Palladium
1964 Little Me (musical) Noble Eggleston, Mr Pinchley, Val du Val, Fred Poitrine, Otto Schnitzler, Prince Cherny, Young Noble A 334 performance season at the Cambridge Theatre
1978 The Traveling Music Show Fred Limelight A four-month season at Her Majesty's Theatre before touring the UK
1979 Bruce Forsyth on Broadway Himself A five performance season of his One-Man show at the Winter Garden Theatre from June 12 - June 17
2012 - 2015 Bruce Forsyth Entertains Himself He toured the UK with his One-Man show

Discography

Singles

  • 1959, "I'm In Charge" b/w "So Far So Good", Parlophone: R 4535
  • 1960, "I'm A Good Boy" b/w "My Little Budgie", Parlophone: R 4620
  • 1960, "It's Spring Again" b/w "Wave Your Little Handkerchief", Parlophone R 4637
  • 1962, "I Like People" b/w "The Oh-Be-Joyfuls", Piccadilly Records: 7N.38086
  • 1964, "Real Live Girl" b/w "Deep Down Inside", Pye Records: 7N 15744
  • 1965, "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" b/w "Don't Say Goodbye", Pye Records: 7N 15879
  • 1968, "I'm Backing Britain" b/w "There's Not Enough Love In The World", Pye Records: 7N 17460
  • 1973, "Didn't He Do Well" b/w "Life Is The Name Of The Game", Philips Records: 6006 285
  • 1978, "Love Medley" (with Valerie Walsh), CBS Records: S CBS 6469

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
The Musical Side Of Bruce —
Both Sides of Bruce (Live) —
Come Get It! —
Mr. Entertainment —
These Are My Favourites 58

References

  1. ^ "Why I have done so well, by Bruce Forsyth, great-grandfather, at 80", The Times, 23 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
  2. ^ "Sir Bruce Forsyth breaks TV career world record". Guinness World Records. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Sir Bruce Forsyth steps down from Strictly Come Dancing". BBC News. 4 April 2014.
  4. ^ Profile at Film Reference.com
  5. ^ a b c Cooke, Rachel (16 December 2007). "Didn't he do well ..." The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  6. ^ "Bruce Forsyth discovers 'bigamist' in his family tree". BBC News. London: BBC. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  7. ^ Barratt, Nick (6 December 2006). "Family detective: Bruce Forsyth". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  8. ^ Profile at Screen Online.org
  9. ^ a b Carroll, Sue (22 February 2008). "TV legend Bruce Forsyth celebrates his 80th birthday today". Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  10. ^ http://www.express.co.uk/dayandnight/282773/Make-young-do-national-service-says-Sir-Bruce-Forsyth
  11. ^ "Song for the typists" (Business Diary), The Times, 8 January 1968, p. 19.
  12. ^ Craig Brown, "Way of the world: A mutual case of wow", Daily Telegraph, 4 June 2005, p. 23.
  13. ^ "Who's still Backing Britain?", Daily Mirror, 3 May 1968, p. 17.
  14. ^ "Youtube clip showing Bruce in the advert". Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  15. ^ Agencies "Bruce Forsyth steps down as presenter of Strictly Come Dancing live shows", The Guardian, 4 April 2014
  16. ^ "Who Do You Think You Are?". BBC. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  17. ^ "No. 55155". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 15 June 1998.
  18. ^ "No. 57855". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 31 December 2005.
  19. ^ "Results of the 2009 Carl-Alan Awards" (PDF).
  20. ^ "Programme Awards Winners 2008". Royal Television Society. 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  21. ^ "Winners 2011". National Television Awards. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  22. ^ "No. 59808". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 11 June 2011.
  23. ^ "Sir Bruce Forsyth collects knighthood from the Queen". BBC News. BBC. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  24. ^ Hirst, Michael (26 July 2012). "Olympic torch: BBC greets flame and Sir Bruce Forsyth". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  25. ^ "Sir Bruce Forsyth becomes record breaker". BBC. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  26. ^ "Sir Bruce Forsyth acknowledged for long career with Guinness World Record". The Independent. London. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  27. ^ Bruce Forsyth at Glastonbury 2013 – review
  28. ^ Bruce Forsyth: The Autobiography. Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd (10 October 2001) ISBN 978-0-283-07338-0
  29. ^ "Kathy Kirby breaks her 26-year silence". Sunday Express. 1 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  30. ^ Bruce Forsyth IMDb profile
  31. ^ "Bruce Forsyth". The Observer. London. 12 December 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  32. ^ Bruce Forsyth grandchildren
  33. ^ Hamilton, Sally (30 November 2010). "How rich is Bruce Forsyth?". This Is Money. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  34. ^ "Celebrity ambassadors". Caudwell Children. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  35. ^ "Picture – Bruce Forsyth | Photo 3051844". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories". The Guardian. London. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  37. ^ Khomami, Nadia. "Sir Bruce Forsyth taken to hospital after fall at home | Television & radio". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  38. ^ "Bruce Forsyth recovering after surgery for aneurysm". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  39. ^ Foster, Patrick (3 December 2015). "Sir Bruce Forsyth pulls out of Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special over health". Telegraph. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  40. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3542824/Brucie-frail-attend-Ronnie-Corbett-s-funeral-Former-Strictly-host-recovering-home-following-surgery-fall.html
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bruce Forsyth.
Preceded by
None
 Host of The Generation Game
1971–77 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
 Host of You Bet!
1988–90 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of The Generation Game
1990–94 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of The Generation Game
2007 		Succeeded by
Programme ended
Preceded by Host of The Price is Right
1995–2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
 Host of Strictly Come Dancing
2004–13 		Succeeded by
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