Sir Bruce Forsyth (pictured) was laid to rest today in a private ceremony in front of his close friends and family
Sir Bruce Forsyth was laid to rest yesterday in a ‘sad but beautiful’ private ceremony which was attended by his family members and close friends.
The former Strictly Come Dancing host and Play Your Cards Right host died aged 89 last month at his home on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey.
He had recently suffered with a number of health problems and died of bronchial pneumonia at home while surrounded by his children and wife Wilnelia Merced on August 18.
And on Monday, people Sir Bruce was close with released 12 white doves to pay tribute to the British entertainer.
A statement from his manager Ian Wilson, released on behalf of Lady Forsyth and the family, said: ‘The funeral of Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE took place yesterday, Monday 4th September.
‘It was the express wish of Lady Forsyth and family that this be a private event and they would like to thank the media for respecting this request. There will be no further details or comment.
‘A more public celebration of Sir Bruce’s life will be announced in the coming weeks.’
John Caudwell, the founder of Phones 4u, reportedly uploaded a video clip recorded at the funeral to his 5,000 followers on Instagram. It was later taken down.
After the birds were released, the speaker said: ‘To the rainbow. Somewhere over the rainbow. Until we all meet again.’
The guests were cheering as the doves flew into the sky, reports The Sun.
Mr Caudwell wrote online: ‘A sad but beautiful moment at Bruce’s funeral.
‘The loss of a dear friend and amazing entertainer that spanned my whole life! RIP Sir Bruce. X’
It is believed that a larger and more public event is being planned to celebrate Sir Bruce’s life.
The former Strictly Come Dancing host (pictured with other host Tess Daly) died last month aged 89
Sir Bruce lived on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey (pictured) and died at home while surrounded by his children and wife
A host of celebrities paid tribute to the famous entertainer after his death was announced last month.
His former co-host Claudia Winkleman declared: ‘He was the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people, all toe-tapping twinkle, all kindness, all love.
‘The Bruce you saw really was the man he was. We’ll miss him so much.’
Fellow Strictly host Tess Daly added: ‘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.
Sir Bruce passed away at home and was surrounded by his children and wife (pictured)
‘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.’
Sir Bruce is survived by his wife and his six children – daughters Debbie, Julie and Laura from his first marriage with Penny Calvert, Charlotte and Louisa with his second spouse Anthea Redfern and a son with Wilnelia – as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Born the son of a garage owner in Edmonton, north London in 1928, he first appeared on TV aged 11 when he sang and danced on the BBC show Come And Be Televised.
Three years later he made his professional debut as The Mighty Atom, a solo song-and-dance act.
He got his big break in the 1950s aged 30 through the ITV series Sunday Night at the London Palladium and then hosted several game shows, including The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right and You Bet!.
It was during his peak in the 1970s that his catchphrases became nationally renowned, including ‘Nice to see you, to see you nice’ and ‘Didn’t he (/she/they) do well?’.
Sir Bruce received an OBE in 1998 and was knighted in 2011. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest TV career which spanned 75 years from 1939 to 2014.