Sir Bruce steps down from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ live shows
By Nick Levine
Sir Bruce Forsyth has announced that he is stepping down from hosting BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing live shows.
The 86-year-old has hosted the primetime smash since it began in 2004, but will not be returning to helm this year’s twelfth series.
However, Forsyth will not be quitting Strictly entirely, and will continue to host the Christmas special, Children in Need special and other special episodes to be announced by BBC One.
He said in a press release: “After 10 wonderful years and 11 series, I believe it is now the right time to step down from the rigours of presenting the Strictly live shows. I am very proud of what the show has achieved and confident it will entertain the nation for many years to come.”
He continued: “I am also delighted that by presenting the Christmas and Children in Need shows I will continue to have a strong association with Strictly. In addition, I am looking forward to the specials planned with the BBC as well as some live theatre shows, so before anyone asks…. I am not retiring quite yet!”
BBC One’s Controller Charlotte Moore paid tribute to Forsyth in the press release, saying: “Sir Bruce Forsyth is one of the great showbiz legends of our time and Strictly’s success is due in vast amounts to him. I am so pleased he will continue to be part of the Strictly family and promise viewers that we haven’t seen the last of him on BBC One.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this autumn.