Latest news with #SirBruceForsyth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bruce Forsyth's widow 'saddened' by BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke's comments
Sir Bruce Forsyth's wife, Lady Wilnelia Forsyth, has hit back at comments made by his former Strictly Come Dancing co-star Anton Du Beke. Sir Bruce died back in 2017, with his ashes being interred beneath the stage of London Palladium, a site chosen by his family due to the theatre being where the star made his breahthrough on the stage. Singer Des O'Connor's ashes are also housed at the iconic venue, leading Anton to say: "I know that Brucie would have been furious about this because he was never a double act." Read more: Emmerdale and Coronation Street bosses announce new way to watch hours before episodes air on ITV Lady Forsyth has hit back, saying she was "shocked and saddened" by Anton's words. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she said: "It's a place that we thought would be appropriate. The whole family thought that it would be the best place for him to be - and we still feel that way." A plaque on the theatre's wall reads: "Without question the UK's greatest entertainer, he rests in peace within the sound of music, laughter and dancing... exactly where he would want to be". Despite his recent faux pas, Anton has not shied away from praising Sir Bruce. He has lauded the late dancer as an exceptional performer who embodied generosity, kindness, and a fantastic sense of humour. However, despite his self-proclaimed status as a Brucie super fan, Anton was mistaken about one detail. Contrary to his assertion that Bruce never formed part of a double act, the renowned entertainer once graced the Palladium stage alongside another variety legend, Norman Wisdom, in 1961. Bruce and Norman single-handedly filled an entire episode of ITV's Sunday Night at the London Palladium after it faced potential cancellation due to industrial action. On Sunday, 16th February, no members of the actors' union were allowed to participate in the live broadcast from the Palladium – effectively ruling out nearly every performer scheduled to appear. Neither Bruce nor Norman was restricted by the picket line, as they were members of the competing Variety Artistes' Federation. In a largely spontaneous performance, the duo sang, danced, and joked their way through the entire show – which included a chaotic sketch about decorators attempting to hang wallpaper that subsequently became a part of TV history.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tess Daly shares heartfelt message after receiving her MBE as she thanks some of the biggest stars in showbusiness for her success
Tess Daly has shared a heartfelt message over receiving her MBE as she thanked some of the biggest stars in showbusiness for her success. The TV presenter, 56, was awarded the honour for Services to Broadcasting in King Charles ' birthday honours list alongside fellow TV star Claudia Winkleman. The King and the Queen are dedicated watchers of Strictly Come Dancing, which is presented by the two. The pair have been part of the Strictly team since its launch in 2004, with Tess presenting the main show with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Claudia, 53, hosting the BBC2 spin-off It Takes Two. After impressing BBC bosses Claudia was promoted to hosting the Sunday results show alongside Tess before becoming the main co-host in 2014 following the departure of Sir Bruce when he reduced his workload From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. And now after being acknowledged for her efforts, Tess shared an album of pictures alongside some famous faces who has has worked alongside of. Alongside the album she penned: ' Genuinely still pinching myself… Feeling extremely humbled and very honoured to be awarded an MBE for Services to Broadcasting in King Charles' birthday honours list. 'If I could, I would dedicate it to all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with over the past 26 years. 'What an utter privilege it has been to work with so many legends of broadcasting and Knights of the Realm including Sir Trevor Macdonald and Sir Terry Wogan - and also to the Strictly viewers who have brought us so much joy over the past 20 years-thank you to every one of you for being there for the ride; it means the world having you there ✨ 'From Back in 2004 when it all began with the wonderful Sir Bruce Forsythe til now - 21 years later. Huge congrats to my brilliant girl @claudiawinkle on receiving her award too - who would've thought we'd be celebrating this together 20 years after we first met? 'Thank you so much for your lovely messages. Not sure I'll ever be able to take this in! Xx' Last year, the Queen described herself as 'one of Strictly's greatest fans' and told Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe 'we all watch it'. Tess's husband the BBC radio presenter Vernon Kay has previously talked of the 'real friendship' that has formed between his wife and Her Majesty, with the Queen even keen to know what goes on behind-the-scenes. Alongside the album she penned: ' Genuinely still pinching myself… Feeling extremely humbled and very honoured to be awarded an MBE for Services to Broadcasting in King Charles' birthday honours list Vernon, 51, said: 'Camilla and Tess have a real friendship through it now. They don't text, but we have mutual friends and messages come through. 'When they see each other, the Queen is always asking: 'Who is your favourite?' She wants to know the backstage gossip. 'It's crazy to think of the King and Queen sat on the sofa with a brew watching your wife present Strictly.' Both Tess and Claudia engage in charity work including Daly, who is a proud supporter of the King's Trust and patron of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, and Winkleman, who is a patron of Child Bereavement UK and Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Private Eye cartoonist Barry Fantoni who was the voice of magazine's mock poet E J Thribb dies aged 85
Private Eye cartoonist Barry Fantoni has died at the age of 85, the publication has announced. The artist, who was also a jazz musician, designer, author and broadcaster, died on Tuesday at his home in Turin, Italy, from a heart attack. Private Eye editor Ian Hislop said: 'Barry was a brilliant multi-talented writer, artist and musician. 'He was an integral part of Private Eye's comic writing team from the early days in the sixties and I hugely enjoyed collaborating with him when I joined the magazine later on. 'He created formats and characters and jokes that are still running and he was for a long time the voice of the great poet and obituarist E J Thribb. So Farewell then Barry.' Fantoni was a long-term stalwart of the Private Eye editorial team from 1963 and created some of its most famous characters, most notably fictitious obituary poet-in-residence, E J Thribb. Best known for his work with the satirical magazine, Fantoni was also a diary cartoonist for news publication the Times and produced caricatures for listings magazine Radio Times from the mid 1960s. Entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth, former prime minister Harold Wilson, DJ Tony Blackburn and comedian Sir Ken Dodd were among the stars he turned into caricatures. Born on February 28 1940, he studied at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts from the age of 14 after accepting the Wedgewood Scholarship for the Arts. Following expulsion he moved to the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art and became a figure in the 1960s pop art movement. In the early half of the decade he wrote scripts for the BBC's satirical show, That Was the Week That Was, before presenting the corporation's fashion and music programme, A Whole Scene Going, which reflected on the tastes and times of Britain's under 21s and included big names like The Who, Sandie Shaw and Twiggy. He also had stints as the Times' art critic and was a record reviewer for Punch magazine in the 1970s. In 2010 he announced his retirement from Private Eye after 47 years. Speaking to the Independent about his departure, he said: 'It was just time to leave. I'd done it. The establishment isn't even worth puncturing any more.' In 2011 the cartoonist, who was also the author of several detective books, had his archive of 3,500 original Times cartoons auctioned at Bonhams for £4,200.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Private Eye cartoonist Barry Fantoni dies aged 85
Private Eye cartoonist Barry Fantoni has died at the age of 85, the publication has announced. The artist, who was also a jazz musician, designer, author and broadcaster, died on Tuesday at his home in Turin, Italy, from a heart attack. Private Eye editor Ian Hislop said: 'Barry was a brilliant multi-talented writer, artist and musician. 'He was an integral part of Private Eye's comic writing team from the early days in the sixties and I hugely enjoyed collaborating with him when I joined the magazine later on. 'He created formats and characters and jokes that are still running and he was for a long time the voice of the great poet and obituarist E J Thribb. So Farewell then Barry.' Fantoni was a long-term stalwart of the Private Eye editorial team from 1963 and created some of its most famous characters, most notably fictitious obituary poet-in-residence, E J Thribb. Best known for his work with the satirical magazine, Fantoni was also a diary cartoonist for news publication the Times and produced caricatures for listings magazine Radio Times from the mid 1960s. Entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth, former prime minister Harold Wilson, DJ Tony Blackburn and comedian Sir Ken Dodd were among the stars he turned into caricatures. Born on February 28 1940, he studied at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts from the age of 14 after accepting the Wedgewood Scholarship for the Arts. Following expulsion he moved to the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art and became a figure in the 1960s pop art movement. In the early half of the decade he wrote scripts for the BBC's satirical show, That Was the Week That Was, before presenting the corporation's fashion and music programme, A Whole Scene Going, which reflected on the tastes and times of Britain's under 21s and included big names like The Who, Sandie Shaw and Twiggy. He also had stints as the Times' art critic and was a record reviewer for Punch magazine in the 1970s. In 2010 he announced his retirement from Private Eye after 47 years. Speaking to the Independent about his departure, he said: 'It was just time to leave. I'd done it. The establishment isn't even worth puncturing any more.' In 2011 the cartoonist, who was also the author of several detective books, had his archive of 3,500 original Times cartoons auctioned at Bonhams for £4,200. He leaves behind his partner Katie.
