Bruce Forsyth: Our living room friend for decades

Jimmy Cricket has described fellow entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth as “an all-round performer of the highest calibre”.

Sir Bruce – known affectionately as ‘Brucie’ – hosted popular shows like the The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right. More recently, he has presented Strictly Come Dancing.

In his January column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post, Jimmy says he has “been our living room friend for seven decades”.

The Irish comedian adds: “Bruce has enthralled, entertained and regaled us. He belongs to that elite band of all-round entertainers, like Sammy Davis Jnr and Roy Castle, who made versatility their stock in trade. You name it, Brucie could do it.”

There have been reports that Sir Bruce, 88, has been too ill to appear on TV over the past few months and Jimmy says: “Let’s hope he’s back to full fitness soon.”