Forsyth honoured at London Palladium

TV star Bruce Forsyth attended the unveiling of his own bronze bust at the London Palladium today.

The 77-year-old entertainer was joined by family, friends and celebrities at the afternoon event in the famous variety theatre.

The bust, created by his son-in-law Dominic Grant, will go on show at the theatre to mark the veteran entertainer’s long-running association with the 95-year-old venue.

It was hosting Saturday Night at the London Palladium in 1958, which transformed Forsyth, the son of a garage-owner, into a star.

Forsyth said: “It’s been wonderful, one of the most lovely days of my life. Going back to the Palladium was a wonderful, special occasion.

“It took me 16 years to get to the Palladium but that’s where I became a name. It just changed my life.”

“Today’s event was my daughter’s idea and she did all the donkey-work. My son-in-law made the bust. I did model it, just to make sure the chin wasn’t too long.

“My daughter said the chin was two inches longer than it should be. At first I looked like Punch from Punch and Judy, but it has captured my look, whatever that is,” he joked.

At its peak, 20 million viewers tuned into Saturday Night at the Palladium every week.

After the TV work dried up when his ITV show Play your Cards Right was dropped, Forsyth made a surprise comeback hosting the quiz Have I Got News For You.

Since then, the entertainer has enjoyed huge success as the face of the BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Generation Game host went back to revive Tonight at the London Palladium in 2000.