Why is bruce forsyth not on strictly come dancing

I am not retiring quite yet! No Strictly replacement was named for Sir Bruce. His departure gives the BBC an opportunity to refresh the show as it faces a renewed ratings challenge from The X Factor , which has restored Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole to its judging line-up. I am so pleased he will continue to be part of the Strictly family and promise viewers that we haven't seen the last of him on BBC One. It's sad, I've loved doing it," he said. That was our biggest series last year that we've ever had so it's a high to go off on.

One of the show's previous contestants, Anne Widdecombe, told BBC News: "His particular character and personality went a long way to making the show what it is. Forsyth first appeared on the BBC on a talent show in , and has been a regular on television for almost 60 years.

Strictly Come Dancing - which runs across the autumn - has brought him a new generation of fans but in recent years, he has talked in interviews about how he would like to spend more time abroad to avoid the cold winters in the UK.

Len Goodman, head judge on the show, called him "the driving force" of the show, and praised his "warm and cuddly" personality. But he agreed it was a rigorous schedule, particularly for the hosts: "He's done Strictly for 10 years, so he deserves to put his feet up a bit," he told BBC News. Mark Linsey, the BBC's controller of entertainment commissioning, said: "One of the joys of my job is working with Sir Bruce Forsyth and long may that continue.

Sir Bruce: 'Boris ideal Strictly host'. More info. TV legend Bruce Forsyth was reported to have been 14 years old when he took to the stage for the very first time. But prior to his withdrawal from the limelight, the beloved presenter made candid comments about why he never retired before. The veteran presenter announced this year he was quitting after a decade fronting the show, but he made a return to introduce the glittering lineup for this series. Forsyth told viewers: "I'll really miss being here with this atmosphere, with Dave and the band and the singer.

It is that kind of night for me. In a special opening sequence in which Forsyth sat behind a grand desk with the judges as his servants, he told viewers: "I'm really looking forward to putting my feet up this year. The year-old was greeted with loud cheers as he appeared on stage to pass the presenting baton to Claudia Winkleman and his former co-host, Tess Daly, who will front the programme this year.