A lot of people don't like "his" jokes.
He's always been the master of the "one-liners"
Although he's credited as one of the three scriptwriters, (that's vanity for you), I don't think he writes the really unfunny convoluted jokes, they aren't his style.

As long as they pay him squillions, he'll be there.
Sadly.
I love the guys history, but these days he's painful to watch, as is Tess, I might add.

HE is one of the script writers.... or in his case script recycler.....

Most of his "jokes" are ancient and have been heard many times on his previous shows... he just changes the name of the subjuct and the location of it to suit the current crop of celebs.

You seem to be crediting him with a great deal.

Do you really think he knows as much about the contestants and what has gone on in the week as would be necessary to write the convoluted so called jokes?
As I said before it isn't his style.
Did he make those sort of elaborate jokes in his past shows? Bruce isn't really a scriptwriter and the fact that he stumbles over so many of the long ones, should be enough indication for you that he didn't write them.
Some of the jokes seem like they've been written by a committee.

I think it would be a PR disaster for the BBC to sack, or be seen to sack, an 83 year old man, newly Knighted by the Queen on a show that beat X Factor in the ratings the year.

He will go when he is ready to go.

I have been watching Bruce on TV for over 40 years, from his time on Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

In all that time, he has recycled almost every joke he has ever used in his Strictly patter - as well as all those ancient catchphrases of his. As I said - he mostly just changes name and location before getting to the same old punchline.

He struggles with reading the autocue as he won't wear his glasses on air (or use an earpiece) - but I don't think I have heard an original joke from him in 9 series of Strictly.

There are three Scriptwriters listed in the credits, I'd imagine they script Bruce's main links, Tess, the voiceover man and anything the panel says (if indeed they are scripted). I'd be very surprised if the other two scriptwriters are writing jokes just like the ones Bruce was spouting 10, 20 or even 40 years ago!

No - Bruce clearly decides which of his awful old chestnuts he is going to use each week and that is his contribution to the script - for which he no doubt gets paid another fee on top of his half million for presenting.

You're presuming he wrote all his own jokes in his previous programmes.
Some comedians write some of their own jokes.
Star name presenters don't. It's done for them, even Bob Hope. "The king of the off-camera giant cue-cards"


As I said, it's the one liners that are his.

Sadly, I think you're probably right

Ah well, thank goodness for sky plus and the option to fast forward.

It's the catchphrases that I find the most unbearable. "Nice to see you, to see you nice" - what the ****'s that even supposed to mean? I'm baffled to think that people thought that was funny or endearing 30 years ago, never mind today.

Exactly!

I really don't know why people keep bangin' on about him, he's not going away, he's no more annoying than Tess Daly.

Those who don't like him can start recording the programme then start watching it half way in and skip all the irritating nonsense, I can get it down to about half an hour.

Sir Bruce would be at his best if they let him free style without the constraints of an auto cue.

It's called "nostalgia"

Unless you experienced his use of it decades ago, either as a child or an adult, it wouldn't mean anything.

I'm not bothered either way. It's just a telly programme.

I'm amused to see so many people voting 'no'. Reading this forum I'd have expected a huge 'yes' vote. It just shows that the contented, or at least the 'not really bothered', are the least vocal on these forums.

I voted 'no'. He really doesn't bother me at all, and so my preference is to keep the status quo rather than introduce a new presenter.

This question comes up every year and I always think "be careful what you wish for" applies.
A new presenter would want to make their mark on such a prestigious show. Whenever anyone has any presenting job on TV they are likely hoping to use it as a stepping-stone to something even bigger.

So expect a new presenter to be more "in your face" than Bruce.

Personally, I'd like Bruce and Tess to have far less to say, it's all padding to fill out a show which without it, could be over in half the time.
For many like me it is, as they record it and avoid all the trivia.

Yes Doghouse you've hit the nail on the head there....

I get more frustrated with Bruce when I'm watching the show live - chucking cushions at the telly when he comes out with one of his awful jokes or catchphrases.... I'm much happier when I miss the show and can watch a recording or iPlayer where I can fast forward through all the carp like Bruce and Tess......

Lets get rid of all the padding and cut the show time down by almost 50% - I don't care about Brucie's tired jokes, Tess' innuendoes and the dreadful VTs... just spend most of the time on the dancing,,,, and call it Dancing with the Stars - and have Tom Bergeron presenting.....

If it ain't broke, why fix it? There isn't a presenter of Bruce's calibre for this type of show. I haven't been to a live show but he is apparently marvellous with the audience so I think he should stay until he can't do it any more. He has cut down, not doing the results show, over the last couple of years. He seems popular with contestants, etc.
Strictly is a programme that is popular across all age groups so why not hang onto Bruce until he's past it? That will happen soon enough and there is no-one to replace him, it would have to be a seasoned presenter with dance background and though I can think of one or two, they have plenty of other irons in the fire. It's quite nice to see Brucie still around, he has been on TV all my life and does a decent job.

LOL in my book, this is all part of the entertainment.
And Brucie doesn't write the awful jokes - it's whoever does who should retire.

Better the devil you know

Have an awful feeling someone like John Barrowman will replace him when the time comes - Bruce can stay until he`s 100 if that`s the case !!

I've often thought that, but I expect it's down to the time restrictions. Brucie often gets it in the neck for interrupting whoever's speaking, but he has to keep a tight reign on things, he doesn't get the credit he deserves as a long time professional - just the brickbats.

That's what everyone said when he abandoned one of the Beebs most watched Saturday evening programmes in the 1970s to go to ITV for more money.

Remember the Generation Game???

Everyone said that THAT programme would never be the same without Bruce.... and they were right - it was a million times better once Larry Grayson took over. Ratings went up and it wiped the floor with Bruce's Big Night out over on ITV. The Generation Game got its highest ever ratings with Larry at the helm, whilst the bBig Night was cancelled after just one series.

It will be exactly the same with Strictly - give it a few weeks of the new presenter and Bruce will be a distant memory (for an example of what will happen - see ITT - Zoe slotted in so smoothly that hardly anyone has missed Claudia......)

Its the Beeb's most popular Saturday evening programme DESPITE Bruce - not because of him - the show is waaaaay bigger than any one individual which is the way it should be.

I did think that once he felt that large lump of steel on his shoulder, he would gracefully step down and fade away into the sunset. But NO, he carries on regardless, so that he can see his undeserved new title up in lights.
You can probably tell, Im not a fan. Its not that Ive never been a fan, he USED to be good. Every dog has his day, Brucies was years ago.
SO GO NOW BRUCE, LEAVE YOUR FANS WANTING MORE.

Is he that much of a problem for you?

I love Bruce! He must stay.

Given such a high percentage think he should go, it seems obvious to me he's a liability. Verdict - show him the door.

Actually yes he is! He is in the top three of people I'd love to smack round the chops, along with David Dickinson and Paul Martin. There are not many people in this world (or on telly) who make me feel this way, although Davina McCall is getting pretty close. I cant even put my finger on why they make me react this way, except for Paul Martin,,just dont get me started on him.
As Ive said, its not that Ive never appreciated Bruce's presence on TV, but IMHO he has just had his day.