TV

Lionel Blair makes saucy confession about being thrown out of a well-known shop with late pal Bruce Forsyth

The pair became great friends after dancing together over 60 years ago

Lionel Blair appeared on Monday’s This Morning to talk about his late pal TV icon Sir Bruce Forsyth.

The news that Bruce, who grew to be a TV legend from his 75-year showbiz career, had passed away at the age of 89 was announced last Friday and the nation was left devastated.

Lionel, who was very good friends with Bruce, paid tribute to the star and also made a very hilarious confession.

Read more: Amanda Holden’s fans gush over rare photo of her ‘mini me’ daughter Lexi

The 88-year-old actor revealed that he and Sir Bruce had been kicked out of Ann Summers for “laughing too much”!

Host Ruth Langsford asked Lionel: “Now I heard a little story and you can tell me if its true that the two of you were thrown out of a well-known lingerie shop.”

Laughing, Lionel explained: “We’d said, ‘We’ve got to buy naughty presents for our friends’.

“We went to Ann Summers, and were like little boys.

“We laughed so much we got thrown out because we were laughing at all the things that they had!”

Speaking about his late friend Lionel said: “I can honestly say he was the king of game shows.

“He was wonderful, he was a wonderful performer in everything he did. He was a perfectionist too.”

The presenter went on to say that he had dressed up especially for Bruce because the TV legend was always “dapper”.

Lionel explained that they were such good friends that Bruce even joined him on his honeymoon.

National treasure Bruce had been ill for some time and hadn’t been seen in public since 2015.

Throughout his incredible career he hosted huge shows such as The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right.

The tragic news left his fellow co-stars and fans heartbroken.

Bruce’s former Strictly Come Dancing co-star Tess Daly expressed her heartbreak following his death.

The pair worked together for 11 years on the BBC programme and she praised his “brilliant sense of humour” in her tribute.

In a statement, she said: “There are no words to describe how heartbroken I am to be told the saddest news, that my dear friend Sir Bruce Forsyth has passed away.

“From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences he so loved.

“He has been there for me as a co-host, a mentor, but most importantly as a friend, and I’m extremely fortunate to have worked alongside the man who defined Saturday night entertainment for so many decades.

“He was a gentleman and a true legend and I will miss him deeply.

“My heart goes out to Winnie, his wife, and his beautiful family at this sad time.”

And the tributes continued to pour in for the incredible TV personality.

Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli said: “So sad A new star in heaven goodbye dear friend and national treasure #sirbruceforsyth I will forever treasure the fun time we had together.”

Read more: Reality TV veteran reportedly signs up to Strictly Come Dancing

“Very sad to hear of Sir Bruce Forsyth’s death. It is a huge loss to the world he was one-of-a-kind,” Dame Joan Collins wrote.

Piers Morgan wrote: “RIP Sir Bruce Forsyth, 89. One of Britain’s greatest ever entertainers & a lovely man. Very sad news.”

Comic and former Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins said: “Didn’t he do well. RIP Sir Bruce. xx.”

He will undoubtedly be missed.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)