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Brucie bonus: Legend Forsyth to receive Bafta honour

19/04/2008

Entertainment legend Bruce Forsyth is set to receive British television's highest honour tomorrow night at the Baftas.

The 80-year-old will receive the award from comedian Paul Merton in London, the city where 50 years ago he presented Saturday Night at the London Palladium to the first generation of television viewers.

Forsyth has recently been a hit as the light-footed host of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing but his presenting CV impressively covers a career spanning nearly 70 years.

Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right, The Generation Game and You Bet! are among his best-known shows, which the Academy is now prepared to recognise.

Its television committee chairman John Willis described Forsyth, famous for his 'the Thinker' pose at the beginning of programmes, as "the ultimate all-round entertainer".

"Bruce Forsyth has been keeping viewers of all ages entertained for decades," he said.

"Just after his 80th birthday is the perfect time for Bafta to recognize his huge contribution to popular television by awarding Bruce a very well-deserved Fellowship."

Previous winners include David Jason, Sir David Frost and Dame Judi Dench.