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 and Rebecca English
Last updated at 10:37 PM on 12th October 2011
It may have taken 70 years in the business, but didn’t he do well?
Bruce Forsyth received his long-awaited knighthood yesterday – and managed to surprise the Queen in the process.
After the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the 83-year-old said: ‘The Queen told me: “Thank you for entertaining the country for so long.”
Didn't he do well? Bruce Forsyth receives his knighthood from the Queen Buckingham Palace
‘I told her that I will have been in the business for 70 years next year. She looked at me in astonishment and said: “Seventy?! Goodness, how old were you when you started?”
‘I was 14, Ma’am, I told her. Been in the business since the war. I think she was rather taken aback, to be honest.’
But there were no other shocks as the 85-year-old monarch – a fan of Strictly Come Dancing, which the entertainer hosts – awarded him the title of Sir Bruce Forsyth-Johnson, Knight Bachelor for services to entertainment and charity.
And Sir Bruce looked only ever so slightly creaky as he got down on one knee while the Queen touched him on each shoulder with her father’s sword and placed the insignia around his neck. Afterwards, he blew a kiss in the direction of his wife of 29 years, Puerto Rican beauty queen Wilnelia.
Thank you: Sir Bruce looked delighted as the Queen placed the honour round his neck
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
Lady Forsyth, who turned 54 yesterday, said: ‘I could not be more proud of him.’
Sir Bruce, who already has both a CBE and an OBE, said his knighthood felt ‘completely marvellous’ after years of campaigning by newspapers and the public. Some 73 MPs even signed an Early Day Motion in parliament calling for him to be honoured.
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.
'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.'
I did it! Sir Bruce shows off his honour as he posed for the cameras after he was knighted
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.
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.'
Proud: Sir Bruce posed for a snap with his wife of almost 30 years, former Miss World Wilnelia, after the ceremony
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'
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
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.'
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.
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.
Bruce as a young entertainer pictured playing the accordion. As a 14-year-old he began working on the variety circuit where he danced, sang, cracked jokes and waited for his big break
Times gone by: A 1962 London Palladium poster advertising Bruce Forsyth as the compare. Also on the bill was Morecambe and Wise and Eve Boswell
Saturday night favourite: Sir Bruce drew in millions of viewers every weekend during the 80s as the host of the Price Is Right
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
