Bruce Forsyth dead: How the national treasure said he wanted to spend his old age

The veteran TV presenter has passed away at the age of 89

At one point Forsyth was Britain's highest-paid TV star after hosting a series of popular game shows including Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right (PA)

To the great sadness of his family, friends and fans, Bruce Forsyth has passed away at the grand old age of 89.

Concern surrounding the veteran TV presenter’s health increased earlier this year after he went to hospital after suffering a severe chest infection.

It goes without saying that Forsyth was a bastion of the entertainment industry. The Strictly Come Dancing presenter, who started his lengthy career in showbusiness at the age of just 14, dedicated his entire life to amusing and regaling whoever would watch him in action.

Tributes to Forsyth have flooded in on social media, with people sharing his most memorable catchphrases – after all there was a plethora – and anecdotes about him.

One particular saying stands out and that is about how he wanted to spend old age. A combatant till the very end, Forsyth said: “I don’t want to grow old peacefully. I want to put up a bit of a fight”

A statement from his manager, Ian Wilson, said: "It is with great sadness that the Forsyth family announce that Sir Bruce passed away this afternoon, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Wilnelia and all his children.

"A couple of weeks ago, a friend visited him and asked him what he had been doing these last 18 months.

"With a twinkle in his eye, he responded 'I've been very, very busy... being ill!'"

Forsyth's career spanned more than 75 years. At one point he was Britain's highest-paid TV star after hosting a series of popular game shows including Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right.