Strictly's Tess Daly reduced to tears after paying emotional tribute to co-star
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly broke down in tears after an emotional tribute to the late Bruce Forsyth. Bruce, who hosted the BBC dance show from 2004 to 2013 alongside Tess, died in August 2017 aged 89 following a long-term illness.
Weeks later, the cast remembered the TV legend in a special performance, with Strictly professionals dancing to Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon with a picture of Bruce projected behind them. A tearful Tess, 55, began to say a few words but was soon overwhelmed by emotion, leaving co-star Claudia Winkleman to step in and say: “He was a legend to so many people but to us at Strictly he was just Brucie." Tess then added: "And to put it in his own words, didn't he do well?”
At the time, viewers took to social media to say they'd also been brought to tears, with one writing: "OF COURSE I'M NOT CRYING WHILE WATCHING THE BRUCIE TRIBUTE ON STRICTLY." Someone else said: "Crying because brucie will be proud; bruce should be here watching everyone performing live #StrictlyComeDancing2017," while a third added: "Just watching #Strictly's tribute to #Brucie. No I'm not crying, there's something in my eye."
READ MORE: Two Strictly Come Dancing stars hit with unexpected blow hours before live show
READ MORE: Prince William confesses to the one thing he's worse at than his three kids
Strictly’s executive producer Louise Rainbow had previously revealed they were planning a tribute to Bruce. She said: “The thoughts of everyone here are still very much with Sir Bruce’s family. Of course, we will be paying tribute to Sir Bruce at our launch show and this will include a heartfelt performance from our Strictly professional dancers. We all want to celebrate him and all that he loved about the show. Sir Bruce was, and will always be, a huge part of Strictly Come Dancing.”
Following the news of his death, Tess shared a personal tribute to her friend and colleague. In a heartfelt statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote: “There are no words to describe how heartbroken I am to be told the saddest news that my dear friend Sir Bruce Forsyth has passed away...
“From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences he so loved.”
“He has been there for me as a co-host, a mentor but most importantly as a friend and I’m extremely fortunate to have worked alongside the man who defined Saturday Night Entertainment for so many decades.
“He was a gentleman and a true legend. I will miss him deeply. My heart goes out to Winnie his wife and his beautiful family at this sad time.”
