Sir Bruce Forsyth’s family reveal their ‘hearts are broken’ as they thank fans for their sympathy in emotional message
SIR Bruce Forsyth's family confessed their hearts are "truly broken" as they thanked fans for their messages following the entertainer's death.
The veteran star's wife Wilnelia and children sent a message to BBC's The One Show, which paid tribute to the star of the showbiz world with a special episode tonight.
The presenting legend died peacefully on Friday, aged 89, after being hospitalised earlier in the year for a chest infection.
Rounding off the 60-minute show, presenter Matt Baker said the family wanted to thank "the many, many people who have sent messages of condolence".
Their message said: "Our hearts are truly broken and the tributes paid to him in the last few days have helped us tremendously through this very difficult time.
"It's been humbling and comforting to us to realise just how much Bruce was loved and how many lives he touched."
The message followed a poignant post from Strictly Come Dancing presenter - and Bruce's former co-host - Tess Daly, earlier today.
Tonight's Bruce themed show also revealed Debbie McGee, Jonnie Peacock and Alexandra Burke as the reamining trip to compete for this year's Strictly Come Dancing title.
Today, we reported how Tess – who worked with Bruce hosting Strictly from 2004 to 2013 - was left devastated on Friday when it was announced that the telly legend had passed away.
Posting a selfie of them both looking very happy and relaxed, she revealed it was taken back in 2015 when they worked on Children in Need Strictly Special.
In the image Bruce can be seen wearing a cap, instead of his usual suit – showing just how comfortable he was with his co-host of ten years.
Tess wrote: “Forever in my heart ❤️ This is one of my favourite photos with Bruce. It was the last time we worked together in the studio in November 2015, for the Children in Need Strictly Special. It's hard to believe he is gone.
“He will be so greatly missed by us all. I grew up watching him on Tv then spent 10 years pinching myself that I was standing by his side in the studio on Strictly Come Dancing.
“Thank you Brucie for the good times. I will never forget. Xxxxxxxx.”
Her touching post came after she responded to the upsetting news of his death on Friday with a lengthy post.
Paying tribute to him, she said: “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.”
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“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. I will miss him deeply. My heart goes out to Winnie his wife and his beautiful family at this sad time.”
Bruce, who was knighted in 2011, is survived by his wife Lady Wilnelia Forsyth and his six children - daughters Debbie, Julie and Laura from his first marriage with Penny Calvert, Charlotte and Louisa with his second spouse Anthea Redfern and a son with Wilnelia – as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Plans are currently being put in a place for public memorial service at Westminster Abbey.
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