Sir Bruce Forsyth: Tributes to 'king of TV and prince of performers'

Strictly Come Dancing presenters Claudia Winkleman
and Tess Daly have paid tribute to "gentleman and
true legend" Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Sir Bruce, best known for hosting shows such as
Strictly Come Dancing, Bruce's Price Is Right and
The Generation Game, died at the age of 89 on
Friday.
:: Sir Bruce Forsyth: Television legend dies
Ms Winkleman posted on Twitter: "He was the King
of TV, the Prince of performers and the most
generous of people... all toe-tapping twinkle, all
kindness, all love...."
She followed it with: "The Bruce you saw really was
the man he was. We'll miss him so much."
:: What is your favourite Brucie catchphrase?
Ms Daly said there were "no words" to describe her
"heartbreak" at the news about the former Strictly
presenter.
"From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing
but laugh our way through a decade of working
together on Strictly Come Dancing," she said.
"I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense
of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences
he so loved."
Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly during the 2011
National Television Awards
The Prime Minister, Theresa May, joined the tributes,
describing the star as a "national treasure".
"Like millions of others, for years I watched Sir Bruce
dance, sing, joke and laugh. He will be sorely
missed," she said.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood
said: "Extremely sad to hear the news of Bruce's
passing. A true legend and national treasure. He will
be deeply missed but always remembered."
The entertainer with singer and dancer Sammy
Davis Jnr in 1980
In other tributes, actress Joan Collins said: "Very sad
to hear of Sir Bruce Forsyth's death. It is a huge loss
to the world he was one-of-a-kind."
BBC Director General Tony Hall said Sir Bruce's
"warmth and wit were legendary".
"I've never seen anyone quite like him when it comes
to performing in front of a crowd. He had a
remarkable chemistry with his audience," Mr Hall
said.
"He has been part of all of our lives, and we'll miss
him dearly."
Julie Andrews, Bruce Forsyth and Beryl Reid sing
'Piccadilly'
Martine McCutcheon lamented the loss of "one of
the absolute greats" while presenter Zoe Ball
described Sir Bruce as a "truly natural and magical
entertainer".
Dame Barbara Windsor said it was the "end of a
show business era" and called Sir Bruce "the last of
the truly all round great entertainers" the UK has
produced.
"I am so sad as I was a massive fan and was in awe
of his professionalism," she said.
Bruce Forsyth performs on the Avalon stage at
Glastonbury in 2013
"I was lucky enough to know him and was thrilled to
be at his last book launch. He will be so sadly missed
by all in show business and his millions of fans."
"He had this amazing ability to take the mickey out
of the public and make the public enjoy the
experience," said Peter Bazalgette, former Royal
Television Society president.
Bruce Forsyth, at Madame Tussaud's to see his
new wax figure
"He was such a big star he could survive a complete
car crash. He did a show for ITV called Brucie's Big
Night. It was a disaster, everything about it was
terrible.
"But he survived that. Most people would have gone
under - he came back even stronger."
Phillip Schofield described him as an "all round lovely
man", and Gary Lineker tweeted "didn't he do well".
Venues and entertainment institutions in the UK also
paid tribute to the star.
BAFTA said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of the
death of the "much loved performer" while the
London Palladium tweeted: "Thank you for the
laughter you brought to our stage".
Sir Bruce with fellow TV personalities Frankie
Howerd, centre, and Jimmy Hill
Former BBC Chairman Lord Michael Grade told Sky
News that "nobody in the history of British show
business" had "worked as hard" as Sir Bruce while
enduring in the public's affection.
"It's a staggering, staggering achievement that will
never ever be surpassed," Lord Grade said.
Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Sad to hear of Sir Bruce
Forsyth's death. A tireless charity campaigner, Sir
Bruce was Mr Saturday Night and it was always nice
to see him."
Veteran and current television presenters took the
lead in tributes to a man who has defined their craft.
Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck said Sir Bruce was "one of
the most talented men this country ever produced".
On Twitter, Julian Clary described Sir Bruce as a
"warm and witty man loved by generations".
Sir Bruce Forsyth is knighted by the Queen
Entertainer Les Dennis tweeted: "I thought Brucie
would go on forever. A star, an icon, a lovely man.
Thoughts with his family".
In a post on Instagram, Tess Daly's husband and TV
host Vernon Kay said it was "devastating news" that
Sir Bruce had passed away.
"It's been an honour to be able to get to know him
as a friend. And we will cherish the times we spent
together," he wrote.
"He defined Saturday Night telly and rewrote the book
on TV Hosting...Will miss his energy and fun both in
the studio and on the golf course."
Sir Bruce set a world record for being the male
entertainer with the longest television career.

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