Bruce Forsyth Still 'Frail' Following 'Serious' Illness, Says Jimmy Tarbuck

His pal has shared an update on his health.
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Sir Bruce Forsyth is still “frail” and his condition has been “very serious”, according to friend Jimmy Tarbuck

The entertainer shared an update on the former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ host’s health, amid his on-going recovery from an operation in 2015. 

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Sir Bruce Forsyth has bee recovering from an operation since 2015
Empics Entertainment

According to Jimmy, Brucie is still battling to get back to full health, as he told audiences in Blackpool at the weekend (via The Mirror): “He’s okay but he’s a bit frail.

Bruce hasn’t been seen in public for 19 months, after suffering a fall in October 2015.

Following his accident, it was discovered that he’d had two life-threatening aneurysms, which he underwent surgery for.

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Jimmy, seen here with Bruce and his wife Wilnelia, shared an update on his health
PA Archive/PA Images

Earlier this year, he spent five nights in intensive care, after he was rushed to hospital with a serious chest infection.

His son, JJ Forsyth, later spoke of his pride at watching his dad try and come through his troubles.  

“I think that is a lesson to us all – exercise is so important. But he’s slowly got through it and I’m really proud of him.”

Last year, his wife Wilnelia was hopeful he would return to the stage one day, saying: “I don’t expect him to go tap dancing but yes, he loves show business and I’m sure with a little bit of luck he should be back,” she said.

“Because he’s 88, usually a man of his age, they are already retired, but he’s been active only until just recently.”

RIP Bruce Forsyth: Life In Pictures
(01 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth on the catwalk at the Fashion For Relief Show, Cannes. Part of the 64th Cannes Film Festival. (credit:PA)
(02 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth goes up to the stage to collect his Special Recognition award at the 2011 National Television Awards. (credit:PA)
(03 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth is joined by Miss Puerto Rico (left) and Miss England to celebrate his 80th birthday at the Dorchester Hotel in central London. (credit:PA)
(04 of23)
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Entertainer Bruce Forsyth with the bust of himself. The bust has been created by Forsyth's son-in-law Dominic Grant and will take pride of place inside the Cinderella bar, marking the association between the TV star and the 95-year-old venue.Date: 2005 (credit:PA)
(05 of23)
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Comedian Bruce Forsyth performing on stage with crutches.Date: 1987 (credit:PA)
(06 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth performs during the World War II 60th Anniversary Service at Horse Guard's Parade Show.Date: 2005 (credit:PA)
(07 of23)
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Entertainer Bruce Forsyth OBE receives the Eric Morecambe Award from actor Sir John Mills CBE during a reception for the Heritage Foundation Awards.Date: 2002 (credit:PA)
(08 of23)
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Comedian Bruce Forsyth performing on stage.Date: 1984 (credit:PA)
(09 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth and Frank Skinner appearing on the Frank Skinner Show in the London studios. Date: 2002 (credit:PA)
(10 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth in the garden of his Surrey home.Date: 1998 (credit:PA)
(11 of23)
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The Duchess of Kent received the keys for a mini-bus from television personality Bruce Forsyth. The Duchess, Patron of the charity Age Concern, was given the mini-bus after it was donated in a special stars episode of LWT show 'Play Your Cards Right' recorded for Christmas.Date: 1985 (credit:PA)
(12 of23)
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Entertainer Bruce Forsyth, left, at Madame Tussaud's to see his new wax figure, made by sculptor Jean Fraser.Date: 1978 (credit:PA)
(13 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth getting ready at Her Majesty's Theatre, for his West End appearance as a musical star. With him are Katie Budd, left, and Valerie Walsh, in the cast of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's The Travelling Music Show.Date: 1978 (credit:PA)
(14 of23)
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Not even the Queen Mother could find out who shot JR when Mr Nasty (Larry Hagman) was introduced to her backstage after the Royal Variety Performmance at the London Palladium. With Larry Hagman stands his mother Mary Martin and in the background, entertainer Bruce Forsyth.Date: 1980 (credit:PA)
(15 of23)
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Entertainer Bruce Forsyth dances for joy in a West End street where he announced he is to star in a new musical, The Bricusse and Newley Travelling Music Show.Date: 1977 (credit:PA)
(16 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth, at the piano with Donald Clive, a song-writer, surrounded by show girls.Date: 1950 (credit:PA)
(17 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth rehearsing his new comedy "Birds On The Wing" with June Barry, left, and Julia Lockwood.Date: 1969 (credit:PA)
(18 of23)
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Actor Bruce Forsyth demonstrates his conjuring skill for Bunnie Girl turned actress Connie Kreski, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA., on a Maltese beach during the filming of 'Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?,' written and directed by British actor Anthony Newley. Bruce plays Unclew Limelight, an old vaudevillian and Connie plays Mercy Humppe. Date: 1969 (credit:PA)
(19 of23)
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Julie Andrews, Bruce Forsyth and Beryl Reid (right), three British stars, sing 'Piccadilly,' a music hall ditty on stage at the old Brixton Music Hall.Date: 1967 (credit:PA)
(20 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth leap frogs over Angela Bracewell, as dancers Jennie Walton, Janet Mahoney, Caroline Haigh and Sadie Colcough look on.Date: 1962 (credit:PA)
(21 of23)
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Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth during the launch show for Strictly Come Dancing 2011. (credit:PA)
(22 of23)
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Sir Bruce Forsyth from Virginia Water is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.Date: 2011 (credit:PA)
(23 of23)
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Bruce Forsyth and his wife Wilnelia at Royal Ascot.Date: 2009