The media are reporting that Fforsyth is having talks this week on whether or not he returns to SCD this year.

Rumours are that he will be asked to retire, having missed weeks last year. But the BBC doesn't have to ask him to retire - they just need not to offer him a contract.

He's said he's fed up with being asked when he'll retire, adding "Wouldn't you?" Personally I couldn't wait to retire even though I loved my job, because I'd realised that it could be done better by someone younger and it would give me more time for my hobbies.

He has said that, when the time comes, he'd like Tess and Claudia to take over, but bookies have Anton as front runner.

I think the time off he took from the last series was agreed in advance, so what's to stop the same thing from happening this year? That said I hope he won't be hosting ever again, for his own sake as much as ours. Tess and Claudia would be fine as hosts, Anton (IMO) would be a disaster, he should stick to what he is good at, ballroom dancing.

I also loved my job but made a very quick decision to retire last year, I knew that the more I chewed it over the less likely it would be to happen. I am so glad I am now retired, and am kicking myself I didn't do it earlier

Yes, his time off was agreed but BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore is reported to have said that “He is not young and has missed a couple of programmes. So it is really important to have that conversation.”

The Telegraph suggests “Sir Bruce’s best hope is a scaled down role in the show. More likely, he will be leaving it completely.”

And yes, this discussion does happen every year, but this time it could actually be the end.

BIB ^^^ I agree, Anton would be a disaster as host. He has a bad habit of talking over other people and not giving them a chance to talk. He also doesn't talk clearly, he mumbles a lot. He'd be a dreadful host.

I agree too - I get mystified when people keep on suggesting him as a host - his presenting skills are virtually zilch. I know he's popular with a certain section of the audience but if they want to keep him on they should just stick to giving him duffers to partner and the occasional ballroom showcases.

We've said this so many times.

The BBC won't want "a Tommy Cooper situation."
It could happen at some time if the old codger continues to try to defy time.
Better he goes before he further damages his reputation.

The fact that talks are happening now, suggests to me that the BBC may want his departure to be"old news" before this year's series starts. That'll give them time to consider other presenters, or whether they'll just give it to Tess and Claudia.

As a licence payer, I'd be a bit miffed if they shelled out a lot of money on someone new, when the show has proved it has its own momentum and doesn't need another "big name."

What worries me, is that this year's "flavour of the month" producer (she may have been last year's too) has been reported as saying, "she wants to make it bigger and better."

Most of the changes "for the better" have been to the detriment of the focus on dance. Maybe they're gonna cut down on that too.

Employees cannot be asked to retire since age became part of equality law in 2010.
Freelancers don' t need to be asked, since employment rights don' t apply to them.( Nor do they have any obligations to contractors between contracts).
Forsyth is, I am pretty sure, in the second category.

As I said in my opening post, the BBC doesn't have to ask him to retire - they just have to not offer him a contract. He's only contracted for one series at a time so his employment ended when each series ended.

Yup. I was agreeing with you.

Best if he went quietly though, last thing a new host needs is the old one complaining about being elbowed throughout the series run.

Perhaps some compromise could be reached where the performers pay homage to his embalmed body when they pass the bottom of the stairs, like Lenin

I just wish that he'd take the hint and retire gracefully.

Surely his family and friends dont want to see him fumble and bumble his way through another series, and possibly do a "Tommy Cooper" live on air? His BFF Ronnie Corbett has taken the hint with his recent health scare - and listened to his wife and retired - why cant Brucie do likewise?

What worries me is the fact that the old fart is "in talks" with the BBC - that would seem to indicate that he is being asked back on whatever terms he cares to dictate.... they have no NEED to talk to him if they arent going to renew his contract for another year

Not according to his wife:


http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-...-says-his-wife

Indeed, that was my point.

The producer was on Breakfast TV one morning recently, and she made it plain that from her POV,, what Mr Forsyth says, goes. I'm paraphrasing, but not exaggerating.

....or a couple of miniature Brucie's on both sides of the staircase, and a MASSIVE one elsewhere on set.

maybe even a massive protrait at the top of the stairs.

He could do some pre recorded sections. I have a lot of respect for Brucie's knowledge and love of dance. Replace some of the comedy Vt's with a small background of each dance from Sir B could work. keep him in the family but not in the live show

Wasn't that the director being interviewed when it was announced that the technical staff (costume designers, set designer, etc.) were getting a special BAFTA because of their work? She was asked if Fforsyth takes direction and she said no, of course he doesn't and she wouldn't dream of telling him what to do.

The producer oversees the whole package but isn't concerned so much with what actually happens when and how during the show, which is the job of the show director.

If they weren't willing to offer him a contract, they wouldn't bother meeting him. The ball's in his court now.

Not necessarily. If they didn't say something to him and just offered the contract to someone else there'd be uproar from some circles. They'd want it to at least appear that, after discussions, it was his decision not to do another series.

Can just picture the Daily Wail's front page...

OUTRAGE as BBC quietly ditich Brucie after 1000 years () of loyal service!!

If an offer isn't on the cards for a presenter, there are no "talks", they just get a quick phonecall, or a very brief meeting with someone. One entertainment presenter lost two jobs in a sixty-second conversation in 2003.

As I said there would be outrage from some if they didn't have proper talks with him. As far as some are concerned he's akin to royalty. Although they don't have to and they don't normally take notice, the BBC wouldn't want the flack on this one.

It could be something like, although he won't do the hosting, he could have a couple of slots where he does his shuffle and warble.

You are probably right. Though if the director is deferential, one might ask whether she has been instructed thus. And by whom.

She seemed a bit flummoxed by the question as if she didn't quite know what to say.

Of course there'd be a meeting, as it would have to be defined what his contribution this year would be. Also, things like the amount of "senility leave" to which he'd be entitled and as money is involved, that would have to be negotiated, although I'd imagine his agent would have more to say about that.