Source: Daily Mail
Veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth missed Strictly for the first time tonight after battling a bad bout of flu. He was said to be watching the show from his home in Virginia Water.
It was the first time in its five-year history the 81-year-old missed a show, throwing the programme into unfamiliar territory.
Tess Daly was brought out from her usual backstage spot to front the show in Bruce’s absence and was joined by surprise guest, pint-sized comedian Ronnie Corbett.
The 78-year-old made a dramatic entrance before announcing: ‘Bruce isn’t here because he’s got flu and he’s tucked up in bed just watching, so we all wish him a very speedy recovery.’
Then he turned to Tess and said: ‘Are you going to do it or shall I?’ before saying Bruce’s catchphrase, ‘Nice to see you, to see you nice.’
While 5ft 9in Tess towered over 5ft 1in Ronnie, Claudia Winkleman – who presents Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two – stepped up and manned the backstage studio section of the programme.
As well as Bruce’s illness, this week’s show was marred by injury.
Olympic athlete Jade Johnson was forced to pull out of performing and she tearfully revealed fears that her painful knee injury could jeopardise her athletic commitments in the new year.
And Footballers Wives actress Laila Rouass had to be carried off stage by dance partner Anton du Beke halfway through their rumba because of a sprained ankle.
The couple looked amazed to make it through to next week’s show after scoring poorly with the judges for their half-finished dance.
Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe wowed the audience with a fast-moving jive, reinforcing their status as favourites to win the show.
But they were joined at the top of the leaderboard this week by The Bill star Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna.
The chemistry between the couple, who have set tongues wagging with a rumoured off-screen relationship, was obvious as they performed a cha cha.
EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy also won universal praise for her foxtrot, as did sports presenter Chris Hollis with his ‘angry’ pasa doble.
Meanwhile Cricketing legend Phil Tufnell scored good marks and high praise from the judges with his American Smooth, scoring 31 points.
