Bruce: The Autobiography [Paperback]

Bruce Forsyth has been a regular guest in British living rooms since the dawn of the television age as we know it. As king of comedy and light entertainment, his appearances are part-ringmaster, part-showman, hugely professional, highly polished and practised to each perfect ad lib. While we are used to such a staged, two dimensional knowledge of Forsyth, it is refreshing to see him from behind the slap 'n' tickle veneer of the consummate performer. Bruce: The Autobiography is a fair-paced chronicle of a public figure now well into his 70s. As such, its remit is, to some extent, predictable; middle-class life in Edmonton, North London, then evacuation, the war years, and on to the theatre-land world of pier shows and music hall, egged on by an ambition to dance like Fred Astaire and later Gene Kelly, before variety show breaks on TV, and finally the honour of a starring role on the small screen. Forsyth's tone is triumphant; his unparalleled success over decades showing with bravado in his storytelling. Young ambition and statesmanlike expectation of his place in the grand scheme of showbiz shine through, and, as with many star biogs, first wives and kids get shorter shrift than those who replace them in later years. Still, the writing is entertaining, and although perhaps unintentional, a little vindictive streak against ex-agents and seaside landladies alike adds--perhaps unintentional--humour, as does his impatience with those with whom he does not quite see eye to eye.

Forsyth's career began in the WIndmill Theatre, whose revues included many a woman wearing tassels, so he was well prepared to play alongside many a glamourous Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right hostess, and more prepared (and proud) still to marry a former Miss World. Very much traditionalist in outlook, but with plenty of sparkle in the style which made him famous, Bruce: The Autobiography should delight an older generation of fans who have grown up and older in the comfortable shadow of one of the last true variety performers. The don't make 'em like this any more! --Helen Lamont --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'In the gameshow of life, Brucie hasn't just won the TV, the golf clubs and the hostess trolley. He's won the cuddly toy as well'. Mirror

If anyone's to blame for me wanting to get into TV, it's probably you, Bruce.

I love you, Bruce Forsyth

Effervescent is the word, like the author himself.

In the gameshow of life, Brucie hasn't just won the TV, the golf clubs and the hostess trolley. He's won the cuddly toy as well.

The heartwarming, hilarious story of the legendary entertainer.

Bruce Forsyth is known across four generations as the 'face' of family entertainment classics such as The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right. His is an amazing story that spans more than two thirds of the twentieth century. In the late 1950s, over half of Britain would tune into Sunday Night at the London Palladium; making Bruce a star in a few weeks. But it had been a long slog since his debut as fourteen-year-old 'Boy Bruce the Mighty Atom' in 1942 then wartime work for the Red Cross and National Service after, and playing every theatre, concert party, summer season, double act and review known to man. He's been at the very top ever since. Bruce's first-ever account of his whole life is chock full of anecdotes, honest appraisals of tough times, failed marriages and affairs, comments on entertainment today and what it takes to be a comedian at the height of his powers. 'In the gameshow of life, Brucie hasn't just won the TV, the golf clubs and the hostess trolley. He's won the cuddly toy as well'. Mirror

Bruce Forsyth is now in his 74th year, and 'sacked himself' from ITV when his contract ended in late 2001. In the 20th year of his happy marriage to former Miss World (1975) Wilnelia Merced, he decided that the Time was Right to pen this showstopping autobiography. He lives in Virginia Water, Surrey and holidays in Puerto Rico, but is at home wherever there is a golf course.