The Stage

Bruce Forsyth

Published Thursday 21 February 2008 at 17:40 by Patrick Newley and Matthew Hemley

Patrick Newley assesses the enduring appeal of Bruce Forsyth.

Bruce Forsyth, 80 years old on Friday, February 22, is surely a cause for celebration as the man who has had one of the longest and most successful careers in British light entertainment, from the heydays of seaside variety, to the London Palladium, to top TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.

He has been showered with awards - an OBE and CBE - appeared in 12 Royal Variety Shows and his earning power is reputedly more than £1 million a year. No wonder even the lofty Economist magazine devoted a recent column to explaining to its international readership Brucie’s world-wide significance as a global entertainment phenomenon.

He has his fans - and his critics. Bill Cotton once said of him: “Bruce is a perfectionist. He likes things to be right. He is immaculate in appearance and he wants his work to be immaculate. I wouldn’t say he has a bad temper but he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.”

In 2001 Forsyth hit the headlines when he announced his retirement after a spectacular bust-up with ITV director of programmes David Liddiment. After his hit show Play Your Cards Right was axed, he claimed that Liddiment was trying to destroy his career. Yet in 2003 ITV welcomed the veteran entertainer back with open arms.

In 2004 he gained even greater success when he was chosen to host the top-rating Strictly Come Dancing. Four years on he shows no sign of retiring from the show.

If ever an actor were born to perform, it was Forsyth. Like a British version of Mickey Rooney, he was a child star, touring at 14 in variety as Boy Bruce - The Mighty Atom.

Later he was part of several double acts, appearing in summer seasons and eventually the famous Windmill Theatre in London as a comedian stuck between the nudes.

He broke into television in the fifties and became the main compere of Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1957, where he demonstrated his unique and gently aggressive style of handling audiences and nervous amateur contestants, gaining one of his many catchphrases: “I’m in charge!”

In 1964 he took the lead in the Neil Simon musical Little Me and he was given his own variety series, The Bruce Forsyth Show, by ATV. At the same time he began to develop his own one-man cabaret show, singing, dancing and playing the piano.

But it was the seventies TV game show The Generation Game that put Forsyth at the very top of the weekly ratings. Consisting of little more than catchphrases and a script that hardly changed, he opened with: “Nice to see you, to see you?”

“Nice!” the audience shouted back.

It was a skilful presentation that heightened the studio atmosphere and made the audience feel they were part of a small family circle.

Anyone who has ever seen Forsyth working backstage on a television game show will know that it is like Broadway on an opening night - crackling with energy.

Moving to ITV, he presented Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night, Play Your Cards Right and You Bet! but his favourite genre remained his own one-man show which he took to the New Theatre London and Broadway.

Although firmly associated with game and competition shows such as Have I Got News For You and Strictly Come Dancing, Forsyth is an enormously versatile all-round entertainer.

A nifty song and dance man in the Disney classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks, he has shared the London Palladium stage with such icons as Sammy Davis Jr, Anthony Newley and Juliet Prowse.

His showbiz track record is an exemplary one. He has always had the gift for reinventing himself and, as television goes, he is one of the best performers we shall ever get.

And though, even at 80, he shows no signs of retiring, he knows when to go.

“Believe me, when people no longer want to see what I do or when I feel I can’t deliver what I was once capable of, I won’t need anyone to tell me to pack it in. I’ll be on the golf course long before that.”

Happy 80th birthday, Brucie.

The Stage’s broadcast reporter Matthew Hemley considers Brucie’s showbusiness legacy.

Bruce Forsyth is undoubtedly a legend. His packed CV is testament to his many talents and his longevity in the industry speaks volumes about his abilities as an all-round entertainer. Indeed, there are some who might argue that Brucie is part of a dying breed of entertainer - the like of which may not exist when he is no longer working in the business. But the simple truth of the matter is there are plenty of people following in Brucie’s footsteps, continuing to entertain the nation in keeping with today’s audiences.

In terms of people who can sing, dance, act and present, one need look no further than the likes of John Barrowman. The entertainer has a television career which has seen him become a huge success in Torchwood, while his theatre work has seen him cast as the leading man in many of this country’s best musicals.

On top of that, he is regularly called upon to host major events, most recently BBC Radio 2’s tribute to Jerry Herman, where he also sang.

And what about the likes of Shane Richie? Here is a man who has made a name for himself in musicals, such as Grease, and television shows such as EastEnders. In terms of presenting talent, surely the likes of Graham Norton and Russell Brand are taking up the baton from Brucie, albeit for a different era. Norton might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and he admittedly can’t sing or dance, but in an age when many television shows are about finding new singing and dancing talent, does the presenter need to be the one with the moves? What counts is the fact Norton has the ability to entertain and cater for the audiences targeted in the shows he fronts, whether it be a tea time family show or his own chat show later in the evening. Meanwhile, in Brand we have one of this country’s top up and coming presenting talents. Brand combines stand-up with his own television shows and presenting slots on radio. This is a man who can entertain with the best of them. And, lastly, who would deny Jonathan Ross a place in the entertainers’ hall of fame? Ross’ career has seen him host his own shows and numerous award ceremonies along with a popular BBC Radio 2 show. Yes, Brucie is a legend, and he deserves the praise lavished on him. But he is not alone and some might say he has simply set a standard for others to aspire to.