Bruce Forsyth's children now – ITV star, Guys 'n' Dolls singer and dog rescuer

Sir Bruce Forsyth, the veteran TV star who devoted 75 years to entertaining the nation, would have marked his 94th birthday last month.

The glitzy showbiz legend, who was best known for hosting Strictly Come Dancing, passed away just months before his 90th birthday in August 2017, leaving behind his third wife Lady Wilnelia, his six children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His family never revealed the cause of his passing but it had been widely known that Bruce had battled with bronchial pneumonia shortly before his death.

After his tragic passing, it was reported that none of his children had inherited any of his £11.7million fortune – with all of his assets being awarded to his wife Wilnelia.

However at the time, it was believed by a will expert that Bruce may not have awarded his children any money to ensure that his funds were not swallowed up by the 40% inheritance tax rate in the UK.

Jonathan Joseph (JJ)

In spite of Bruce’s glamorous showbiz life many of his children tend to keep themselves out of the spotlight.

However, his youngest child and only son Jonathan Joseph had a rare discussion with the Mirror in 2017 just months before his father had died.

He explained to the publication that his dad was “doing good” after suffering a fall which later uncovered he’d had two life-threatening aneurysms – which required surgery.

He explained: “Before the operation, he was doing exercise twice a day. Every morning and night he would work out.

“He played a lot of golf, but when he had the operation that’s when it all stopped, that’s when he got ill.”

Jonathan is the only son that Bruce and his third wife Wilnelia Merced share together.

While his father was ill in hospital Jonathan joined his mum to support her with the business – a candle and fragrance line with Fortnum and Mason.

JJ said: “Normally dad would come to these events with Mum, but until he can again, I want to support her and I’m helping her out with her business.”

Julie

While Bruce’s daughter Julie was once a successful chart topper, she too likes to keep a low profile.

Julie had formerly made one sixth of the band Guys ‘n’ Dolls who formed in 1974 and had hits with You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me and There’s A Whole Lot Of Loving.

She went on to marry her bandmate Dominic Grant, with the duo making the odd showbiz appearances as a double act.

According to Instagram, most of their days were spent as devoted Cocker Spaniel owners, parents and grandparents, until Dominic’s tragic death in 2020.

A statement which was released on behalf of Julie read at the time: “It is with such great sadness that I have to tell you I have lost my darling Dominic, suddenly on Wednesday, November 18, to an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“He was an amazing husband, father, brother and brand new grandad. My heart is shattered.

“He was kind and strong and always the life and soul of the party. His distinctive, beautiful voice will live on forever – I couldn’t have loved him more and don’t quite know what our family will do without him… he was our shining star.”

Debbie

Last Year, Bruce’s daughter Debbie was able to use her father’s name in order to get her stolen Yorkshire Terriers returned.

Much like the rest of the family, Debbie had also kept herself away from the spotlight but when she was faced with never seeing her dogs again, she used the world of showbiz to help her.

The Strictly Come Dancing star’s daughter who he shared with first wife Penny Calvert made appearances on GMB and Lorraine in 2021 to campaign for microchip scanning to be compulsory.

Debbie’s Terriers were snatched from the back of her car in 2006 and after 10 days, she was fortunate enough to be reunited with her beloved pups.

At the time she explained: “The man who bought Widget from a livestock market in Southall was watching and called in. The following morning we said we were still looking for Gizmo and the lady who had bought him, in a park, was watching! I was one of the lucky ones,” she added.

“It was easy for me to get the media help because of my dad, but I could see all the other missing dogs on Doglost, who had been helping us, and felt we could help others by starting Vets Get Scanning.”

Louisa

The daughter of the Play Your Cards Right star and his second wife Anthea Redfern went on to follow in her father’s TV footsteps

However, not appearing in front of the camera, instead behind it as senior producer at the broadcasting giant ITV.

In 2018, Louisa’s position was announced in Television with the channel confirming she had landed the role of VP, Global Content, Scripted.

The statement read: “Forsyth’s appointment completes the scripted content team after Bea Hegedus joined earlier this yea following on from senior non-scripted hire Cecilie Olsen joining the Global Content team

“Forsyth will work across ITVS GE’s wide range of international producers and clients, reporting into Kate Barnes, SVP, Global Content, Scripted & Co-productions.

“Forsyth has joined from Sky, where she held a number of positions, including ten years in Acquisitions, Entertainment and, most recently, in the Corporate Affairs team working across its Bigger Picture initiative leading the Sky Ocean Rescue content activity and MAMA Youth Project.”

Aside from her successful career, not much else is known about Louisa.

Laura and Charlotte

Bruce also has two other daughters, Laura from his first marriage to dancer Penny Calvert and Charlotte from his second Anthea Redfern.

The twosome are similar in the sense that they have both completely reframed from being in the public eye at all and have gone onto enjoy private lives away from the camera.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk