BRUCE FORSYTH CBE

The early days
The legendary Bruce Forsyth began his remarkable career at the age of fourteen performing his own song and dance routine.

Having spotted him in 1958, agent Billy Marsh put Bruce’s name forward to compere the nation’s most popular TV programme, BBC’s Saturday Night at the London Palladium. Bruce became an overnight success and the first of his many catch phrases - “I’m in Charge” - was on the lips of the entire nation.

Variety
Bruce then starred at the London Palladium and made the first of many appearances in The Royal Variety Show. He topped the bill in major theatres nationwide and became firmly established as one of Britain’s most popular entertainers. Bruce also made his debut at The Talk of the Town, the country’s premier nightspot, recording his first record album and starring in his first musical, the original British production of Little Me at the Cambridge Theatre.

In 1973, Bruce headed The London Palladium Show, which also enjoyed successful theatre seasons in Canada and by this time, his renowned TV work in presenting The Generation Game, for the BBC, was in its third series and enjoying ever-increasing national popularity.

The most important man in British television
With the programme progressively attracting over 20 million viewers, it broke all records for a show of its type, prompting a leading national newspaper to describe Bruce as “the most important man in British Television”.

The Variety Club of Great Britain voted Bruce Forsyth "Showbusiness Personality of the Year" and readers of the TV Times voted him “Favourite TV Personality”. This honour was bestowed on him twice more in subsequent years. He was also voted “TV Personality of the Year”.

Bruce’s popularity led to the highly acclaimed Thames TV shows Bring on the Girls, an appearance as star guest on the first ever series of The Muppet Show and a comic acting role in the TV production of The Mating Season.

All-round entertainer
During this period Bruce also developed and performed his One Man Show – which enjoyed a hugely successful season at Drury Lane followed by a sell out season at The London Palladium and a nationwide tour which received rave reviews.

As the consummate professional, Bruce has personally compered and appeared in no less than 12 Royal Variety Shows, even including one as a double act with a new ‘partner’, HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales.

Bruce completed another two TV specials, plus a further season at The London Palladium with his One Man Show, followed by an extensive tour and another TV series of The Generation Game commissioned by public demand.

West End, Broadway & beyond
Bruce returned to London’s West End, starring in The Travelling Music Show , a musical based on the songs of Anthony Newley. He was then invited by London Weekend Television to host an ambitious two-hour compendium of entertainment for Saturday night viewing, Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night which attracted 14 million viewers by the end of its run.

After a sell out tour of New Zealand, in June of 1979, Bruce Forsyth took his One Man Show to New York on Broadway. Sammy Davis Jnr. was there in person to introduce him on the opening night and Sir David Frost made a one hour documentary of the unique occasion.

Following this success, Bruce was invited to perform his One Man Show on the West coast, in Los Angeles. The opening night, even by Hollywood standards, was ‘an event’ and attended by a host of stars.

Game shows, sitcoms and more
On his return to England in 1980, he recorded the first of many series of Play Your Cards Right. In addition, Bruce completed two specials including an hour long two man special with Sammy Davis Jnr. That autumn, he returned to The London Palladium with his ‘One Man Show’ and in the spring of the following year, toured it with great success in Australia.

With a variety of interesting film roles to his credit, Bruce has appeared and featured in Walt Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks as well as the film Star with Julie Andrews and the British Comedy The Seven Deadly Sins.

Amongst the profusion of his other major television shows over the years, Bruce’s ‘Play Your Cards Right’ proved to be an enduring TV success and in 1984, he was voted TV Times Favourite Game Show Host. Later that year he became the first Englishman to host a game show in America, recording sixty-five episodes of Hot Streak for ABC. In 1988, the first series of You Bet! was an immediate ratings winner, as was his own Christmas Special for the BBC.

After two further series of You Bet!, Bruce starred in a new game show series, Takeover Bid, for the BBC. From the autumn of 1990, he hosted another five series of The Generation Game again, to great public acclaim.

50 years in show business
In 1992 Bruce celebrated 50 Years in Show business and to mark this occasion a personal tribute dinner was televised by the BBC. In 1998 he won the BCA’s Top BBC Entertainment Presenter Award for ‘Bruce’s Guest Night’ and in 1994 Bruce made a welcome return to LWT to bring back Play Your Cards Right as well as one ITV’s flagship shows The Price is Right both commanding massive audience viewing.