Bruce made a gentle and nice point in a professional way, Bruce didnt have a dig and Bruce was speaking from experience as being a teen entertainer,

There are many videos going around showing where in Simon Cowell shows kids have broken down and its uncomfortable if not voyeuristic viewing.

Simon has abused the 'live' show to make two unprofessional digs at one of the most respected entertainers Britain has ever had. Simon did this on the first live show as he knows on a recorded show ITV would have cut it, so its an abuse of power.

Bruce is entitled to his view, (A view Simon has had himself in the past but has changed his mind), and Simon had the write at that time when Bruce made his comment to come back to him on a like to like basis.

Simon choose to be rude and give a disproportionate and unprofessional response on BGT, some people mention the right of reply, no one is saying Simon hasn't a right of reply but its the way he has done this, - twice on a live show is punitive and vindictive.

Kids do need to be looked after, give them thier own show, and look after them, if in front of a TV judge or their parents on stage a child is asked are you happy, they will reply 'yes', they cant have the strength of character to say no and feel their upsetting people.

Its exploitation, and i feel sorry for the adults with talent as the viewer votes will go to kids and a sympathy vote rather than any real talent.

And the winner out of all of this, well we are all talking about BGT and Simon, so he wins again a massive debate to raise his ratings more, we are all being manipulated.

ADP, I agree. Simon didnt just do it to defend himself, he did it to make a point. Why did he need to say that he dedicated his choice of putting the child singer through "to Bruce"? As of yet none of Simon's apologists have attempted to justify that remark, probably because they know that they can't.

I always view Bruce Forsyth's presence on TV as a contrary, indulgent quirk of the British character. I don't think he'd have a TV career in any other country in the world. I don't get it at all - one of the most unfunny, unattractive, egotistical characters on TV; and that's saying something.

It was the perfect place to do it - just after one of the children, that Bruce would rather stayed at home - had given a good performance. That was the point he was making. He could release a statement to the press but it makes far more sense to talk directly to the 12m viewers of the show itself just as Brucie talked to the audience of whatever radio show he was on at the time.

I think some of the reactions here are quite hilarious. People using words like "punitive and vindictive" to describe some inter-show jibes and stinging insults like "Mr Grumpy". They'll both laugh about it next time they meet. It's just a few people on DS getting strangely upset on Brucie's behalf as though Cowell has shot his pet dog in retribution.

Are you talking about Bruce or Simon!!!!

On the contrary, that says it all!!!

Nah, Simon's an egomaniac alright - but he has a certain wit and charm that endears him, and his shows, to audiences. Wouldn't stand in front of him in case he'd slit my throat to make a buck, but his career is perfectly understandable and explicable. Bruce, though? I just don't get it. An embarrassing dinosaur.

tbf Bruce is an absolute legend, for most of my childhood I enjoyed his enthusiasm and down to earth showmanship, and as an adult I find his quick wit and experience to be applauded.

the sad thing is I genuinely don't think he would have made these comments about BGT with the intention of being critical, and no doubt it was the phrasing of a question to draw a specific response to generate a headline.

I thought Simon Cowell was bang out of order.

How many child stars lives does he want messed up or worse by getting famous too early competing against adults.

I guess what happened to the likes of Michael Jackson; Judy Garland; Gary Coleman; Heath Ledger; River Phoenix; Lena Zavaroni; Corey Haim; Dana Plato; Brigette Andersen; Anissa Jones; Bobby Driscoll; Jack Wild; etc is not enough for Simon Cowell. How many more does he want before he realises he is wrong.

I mean former child stars Britney Spears; Lindsay Lohan; Amanda Bynes & Justin Bieber have not been adversely impacted by child stardom in any shape or form have they.

FFS. Sir Bruce Forsyth's 60+ years experience in the show business industry should not be ignored. It is hardly an unreasonable suggestion that adults and children should have their own separate shows. The acting industry has it correct so West End/Broadway theatre shows requiring child actors have 4 per part to share out the 8 shows a week.

Bruce was hardly saying something radical. He was just stating the obvious common sense industry viewpoint. Just like previous comments in the past from seasoned entertainment professionals Paul O'Grady (who turned down the original BGT host job after filming the pilot due to his belief that kids should not have to compete against adults) & Matthew Kelly (whose Stars In Their Eyes had separate franchises for adults and children); and Nigel Lythgoe whose involvement in TV shows in the past saw him produce 1999's Stars For A Night for under 16s where the top 3 all went on to be famous as young adults (1st Joss Stone; 2nd Alexandra Burke; 3rd Jon Lee (S Club 7)).... how 2013 X-Factor would kill for that level of success, and the Simon Fuller Popstars & Idol franchises where the minimum age was initially 18 to enter. Resulting in one famous incident in the Irish Popstars franchise where a contestant got chucked out of the band for being too young. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJCiztHvXnI

Mind you after the Rachel Crow's X Factor USA elimination debacle, if Simon Cowell still can't see how wrong he is, then there is no talking to his ego.

Sums up thread perfectly ^^^

are you saying that children should not perform on tv, in films or record music at all?

also sad as it is to see a child star go off the rails, their are numerous examples of child stars who go on to very successful careers and balanced lives. Jodie Foster, Mickey Rooney, sean austin, liz taylor, elijah wood, aled jones, bonnie langford, jennifer lawrence, jennifer connoly to name a few off the top of my head.

If its unprofessional of Cowell, it is unprofessional of Brucie to comment in the first place.

Bruce was right.

Cowell never knows how to deal with criticism.

More silly little digs again tonight. What a petty bunch they are. Why does it bother Simon so much what a man in his 80's thinks of his shows? He needs to grow up, he's like a kid. Even showbiz reporters on Twitter are starting to comment on how pathetically childish it is.

Quite right. Similarly some forum members describing judges as 'bullies' for giving contestants constructive criticism. Waay over the top reactions, and too often all because they follow another show on the BBC or just don't like a certain judge.

I do, however, think that 'Little Britain's Got talent' has a certain ring to it.

PS: Have to say this though: Simon's teeth tonight.

I think the reaction is more in favour of Bruce looking at comments on twitter and the daily Mail(sorry)Simon Cowell is so smug he loves to try and prove himself right all the time.. Oh and in answer to your earlier question i do remember Connie, she was another who was going to be "the next big thing" from what the judges said,i dont think the poor girl ever had a childhood JMO though...

I don't suppose that it's anything to do with falling ratings, retiremen or, lack of public interest, that this unusual banter between 2 multimillionaire TV personalities has just surfaced, No of course not, i don't suppose that at all.

It's uncalled for Cowell to rant against a 89 year old man on live television in front of millions of viewers. He should talk to Bruce forsyth in private instead of venting his anger on live television.

Do you think Bruce even cares?! I'm sure he's glad you're outraged on his behalf, but you needn't bother.

(And I'm curious as to why you are watching a show you don't even seem to like?)

I only watched tonight to see the Voice reject Alice Fredenham. Didnt watch yesterday when Cowell ranted against Bruce but I read about it.

You may be correct about Cowell, but Forsyth has an oversized ego that reuses to accept any criticism.

More like a dull clang if Walliams is anything to do with it.

There is no need for it in the middle of the show, leave it off-air.

Bruce has achieved more than Simon ever will, anyway.