Strictly fans hoping to be reunited with one of its biggest stars this Christmas are in for disappointment.
Sir Bruce Forsyth will NOT be appearing on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special this year.
It had been believed that the 88-year-old telly legend was set to join hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the festive extravaganza, but sadly ill health meant he was not well enough to do so.
He was also apparently too ill to a record a video message as he had last year for the prerecord on Monday and the BBC have since confirmed that one has not been recorded or looks likely to be.
“Last year the Strictly message was recorded in December, there are no plans to do one this year,” a source close to Sir Bruce told The Mirror.
“It doesn’t seem right at this point. He needs a bit of peace and quiet to get on with getting better.”
Since he quit the show three years ago, Brucie has been recovering from keyhole surgery for an aneurysm.
And just last month, he announced that he would be retiring after 77 years in showbiz. That’s almost as long as Tess Daly’s been in the biz!
His wife Lady Wilnelia Forsyth appeared on This Morning and opened up about her hubby’s health and reassured fans that he was doing well, but admitted that it had not been an easy time.
“I happened to be with my son Jonathan [when Bruce fell], it was very scary to see him like that, he was very bruised, it was really, really awful.”
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She also revealed that Bruce found it hard to walk and barely leaves his house. However she says, she still loves more than ever.
“He’s the man I fell in love with because his brain is still there,’ she admitted. “He has a bit of a problem moving but we still laugh and talk.
“I pray, I believe. The main thing is that he’s doing well. The pain is more emotional; sometimes we cry, but mostly we laugh.”
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She went on to explain that the operation on the potentially life-threatening aneurysm had taken its toll on the legend.
“The operation took his energy because of his age, there’s no question about it,” she confided in You magazine.
“Some days are better than others. On the not-so-good days he tries to rest.
“He is in incredible shape mentally but he does get very tired.
“He doesn’t want to do anything publicly until he’s 100% well. I respect that.”
The Strictly Christmas special starring Melvin Odoom, Frankie Bridge, Denise Lewis and Ainsley Harriott airs on Christmas Day.