Knight to see you, to see you, knight: Bruce Forsyth becomes a Sir at last as he is honoured by the Queen at the age of 83

By Georgina Littlejohn


It's certainly been a long time coming.

But today, after almost 70 years in showbusiness, beloved presenter Bruce Forsyth was finally given a knighthood.

The Strictly Come Dancing presenter received his honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace this morning.

Didn't he do well? Bruce Forsyth receives his knighthood from the Queen Buckingham Palace today

He was given the knighthood for services to entertainment by Her Majesty as his proud wife Wilnelia looked proudly on.

Sir Bruce couldn't stop smiling as he was awarded the accolade at the Palace, which came after many years of campaigning by his fans, newspapers and even a parliamentary Early Day Motion, signed by 73 MPs, before it was announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Looking ecstatic after the ceremony, he said: 'It's absolutely wonderful to get the knighthood.

'It's been a thing that's been going on for a long time but it's not often one can say the press has been right behind you in my business - but they have been.

Thank you: Sir Bruce looked delighted as the Queen placed the honour round his neck

'Entertaining - it's been the only thing I've ever wanted to do and I've done it for many, many years. Who feels like quitting? I want to go on.'

Earlier, in the palace's magnificent ballroom, the television star was called forward by his full name - Sir Bruce Forsyth-Johnson - and knelt on a velvet investiture stool to receive the accolade.

He was dubbed a knight by the Queen, who lightly touched him on the shoulder with a sword that belonged to her father, George VI.

The king used the ceremonial weapon when he was colonel of the Scots Guards while Duke of York, before being crowned.

A long time coming: Sir Bruce shakes her Majesty's hand after being given the knighthood which was awarded after years of campaigning by his fans

As he emerged from the ballroom, Sir Bruce called out 'Good luck' to honours recipients on their way to receive their awards.

One joked: 'We were impressed to see you get off your knees', to which the entertainer replied: 'That was an effort, I can tell you.'

This morning, Sir Bruce swept into the palace's central quadrangle in a chauffeur-driven vintage Rolls-Royce and emerged smiling with his family.

I did it! Sir Bruce shows off his honour as he posed for the cameras after he was knighted

Joined by his Puerto Rico-born former Miss World wife, their 24-year-old son Jonathan Joseph, known as JJ, and his daughters from previous marriages Charlotte, 34, and Laura, 48, were also there to witness the proud day.

The award also marks his charity work, something the star does privately.

Admitting he feared he might never receive the honour, when the knighthood was announced in the summer, a delighted Sir Bruce said he could not wait to call his wife 'my lady'

Proud: Sir Bruce posed for a snap with his wife of almost 30 years, former Miss World Wilnelia after the ceremony

And he told the BBC that the honour 'means everything' to him, and added: 'When I got the CBE there'd been speculation every year and I think there's been too much talk about it, so I'm thrilled at last it has happened.'

'I feel very proud that my career hasn't been in vain. I just love getting out there and performing and this is a reward that I never expected and hope I'm worthy of.'

The knight and his brood: Sir Bruce and Wilnelia pose for a family portrait with their son Jonathan and his daughters Charlotte and Louisa from his second marriage to Anthea Redfern

As a 14-year-old, he began working on the variety circuit where he danced, sang, cracked jokes and waited for his big break.

He got it in 1958 when he became host of Sunday Night At The London Palladium and he never looked back, hosting The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and Bruce's Price Is Right.

Saturday night favourite: Sir Bruce drew in millions of viewers every weekend during the 80s as the host of the Price Is Right

He also became known for his catchphrase, 'nice to see you, to see you, nice'.

In 2004, when in effective semi-retirement, he was brought back to host a new version of an old programme, Strictly Come Dancing, and scored another massive hit.


No plans to retire: Even at the age of 83, Sir Bruce doesn't intend to stop working and is currently the host of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly


source:dailymail