Showbiz legend Bruce Forsyth has no plans to hang up his dancing shoes – despite receiving his knighthood. The 83-year-old Strictly Come Dancing host, who will be knighted this week at Buckingham Palace, says being made a Sir won’t mark his showbiz swansong. "People have been asking when I’m going to retire for 20 years," the sprightly star tells this week’s HELLO!.
"I have no plans to rock myself to sleep in my bath chair yet. "Inviting the magazine into the Surrey mansion he shares with his glamorous wife Wilnelia, Sir Bruce reveals that this year has actually been one of his busiest, with the return of Strictly and the release next month of his first album in over 30 years. "Making the album and receiving a knighthood have given me a real boost," he says. "I’ve gone into this new series of Strictly with a renewed feeling of excitement – there’s an even bigger spring in my step. "Before I go on stage to do my 15-minute warm up, I do a little hop which gets me into my stride – it’s something I’ve always done, but this year it’s got a bit more bounce. "The popular octogenarian, who is a devout follower of an ancient exercise regime practiced by Tibetan monks, also talks of his enduring love for Wilnelia, who he affectionately calls Winnie, and his pride in being able to call her Lady Forsyth.
"She has always been a lady to me, but to be able to officially call her M’Lady has meant so much," he says. "She has been such a support to me in the years we’ve been together. "Even now, if she’s somewhere in a room and I catch an angle of her, I can’t quite believe she’s married to me because she is just so gorgeous. "For the full interview, pick up HELLO! Magazine, issue 1196, on sale now.