Sir Bruce Forsyth Says He Quit 'Strictly Come Dancing' Because He'd Had Enough Of Age Critics

Brucie Says He Quit 'Strictly' Over Age Criticism
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Sir Bruce Forsyth has shed a bit more light on why he decided to step down as presenter of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The iconic TV personality revealed earlier this month that he would no longer be hosting the Saturday night show after a decade as co-presenter.

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Sir Bruce Forsyth

He’s now revealed during an appearance on 'The Michael McIntyre Chat Show' that criticism of his age was one of the contributing factors in his decision to quit, explaining: “It's live every week, and if I made a mistake with the autocue... it's big news - 'oh, he's 86 years old and past it'. And I was getting all that which you don't need. Who needs it?”

Sir Bruce also admitted that the show’s demanding workload contributed to his decision to quit, saying: “It comes to a time when you get to a stage and say this is enough. And I do get tired doing live telly.

“Live telly is very, very strenuous, especially when some of the shows are an hour and 40 minutes long.”

He also admitted that while he was going to miss working on the show, he was looking forward to having more time to relax and spend with his family.

He added: “I'll be able to spend more time with my wife and my family. I'll be able to have little breaks, which are good.”

However, Brucie won’t have too long to sit with his feet up as it was recently reported that he'll be hitting the road for his ‘Bruce Forsyth Entertains!’ UK tour later this year.

Meanwhile, fans of ‘Strictly’ are now speculating about who will be presenting the show with Tess Daly when it returns to screens later this year.

It’s been previously reported that producers are keen for Claudia Winkleman, who already presents the show on Sunday nights, to co-host with Tess on Saturdays, which would make them the first ever female duo to present a primetime Saturday night show.

Catch Bruce's full interview on 'The Michael McIntyre Chat Show' on Monday, April 14 at 10.35pm on BBC One.

Bruce Forsyth
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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 of25)
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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 of25)
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British comedian Bruce Forsyth poses for the photographers with his BAFTA 'Television Fellowship of Bafta' award for his life-long contribution to television. Date: 2008 (credit:PA)
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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)
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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)
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Comedian Bruce Forsyth performing on stage with crutches.Date: 1987 (credit:PA)
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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)
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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)
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Comedian Bruce Forsyth performing on stage.Date: 1984 (credit:PA)
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Bruce Forsyth and Frank Skinner appearing on the Frank Skinner Show in the London studios. Date: 2002 (credit:PA)
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Bruce Forsyth in the garden of his Surrey home.Date: 1998 (credit:PA)
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Bruce Forsyth returns to ITV on Monday 4th September, hosting a brand new series called "Bruce's Price Is Right" he is joined by three assistants, Kimberley Cowell (left) Emma Noble (right) and Emma Steadman.Date: 1995 (credit:PA)
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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)
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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)
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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)
(16 of25)
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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)
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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)
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Bruce Forsyth, at the piano with Donald Clive, a song-writer, surrounded by show girls.Date: 1950 (credit:PA)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth during the launch show for Strictly Come Dancing 2011. (credit:PA)
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Sir Bruce Forsyth from Virginia Water is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.Date: 2011 (credit:PA)
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Bruce Forsyth and his wife Wilnelia at Royal Ascot.Date: 2009

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