The widow of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth has broken her silence after a row broke out with the Strictly Come Dancing legend, Anton Du Beke, over the entertainer’s final wish
Lady Wilnelia Forsyth, wife of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, has responded to remarks made by his former Strictly Come Dancing colleague, Anton Du Beke. Sir Bruce passed away in 2017 and his ashes were placed beneath the stage of the London Palladium, a location chosen by his family due to its significance in his career.
The ashes of singer Des O’Connor are also located at the famous venue, prompting Anton to comment: “I know that Brucie would have been furious about this because he was never a double act.”
Lady Forsyth expressed her disappointment with Anton’s comments, stating she was “shocked and saddened”.
Speaking to 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,” reports Birmingham Live.
Despite his recent misstep, Anton has continued to express admiration for Sir Bruce, praising him as an extraordinary performer known for his generosity, kindness, and great sense of humour. However, Anton was incorrect in one aspect.
Despite his claim that Bruce never participated in a double act, the esteemed entertainer once shared the Palladium stage with another variety legend, Norman Wisdom, back in 1961.
Bruce and Norman single-handedly saved an entire episode of ITV’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium from potential cancellation due to industrial action.
On Sunday, 16th February, actors’ union members were barred from participating in the live broadcast from the Palladium – effectively sidelining nearly every performer scheduled to appear.
However, neither Bruce nor Norman was hindered by the picket line, as they were part of the rival Variety Artistes’ Federation.
In a largely impromptu performance, the pair sang, danced, and cracked jokes throughout the entire show – which featured a chaotic sketch about decorators trying to hang wallpaper that subsequently became a piece of TV history.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
