I like Bruce Forsthyh but was there any point of him delivering the Message that could not do this year because of his operation, we know he had the op but was there any point to the message as when he did the live SCD he missed a few because of a couple of heave colds and he didn't do any message about not doing Strictly that week

Plus when he returned at the end of show to show off his new Grandchild, fine all very nice he has a new family member but did he really have do the end bit it seem rather strange to that, but then gain this Brucie we talking about

I don't think he will be back doing the Children in need or the Xmas Show next year i think he begin to slow down because as few have said in another thread he did not look well at tall

Maybe it was sort of his 'goodbye'. Although I've never been a fan of his he presented Strictly for many years and was expected to do the Christmas show. It would perhaps have been odd to just bow out because of ill-health and never be seen again. I wish him the best but I think he's too old now. If he was a female presenter he would have been retired years ago.

it was there in case you thought his attention-seeking showbiz persona was just an act. Too hard for him to give up his association with the show in one go.

Just reminding you how Strictly is not the same without him - it's far far far better!

Is there any point to anything? Why are we here? Am I a brain in a jar?

Depends if it's the same jar as Len's pickled walnuts, in which case watch out when Craig next gets peckish.

Don't worry, Len keeps threatening to pickle his walnuts in my precious brain jar, but it's all talk!

I imagine someone in production views him with affection and assumed at Christmas that some of the audience would be watching in a generous spirit.

The 'point' was kindness and respect.

i haven't watched the programme yet - but ...I'm a bit shocked at some of the responses here.

Well said ^^.

Bruce has been on our TV's for as long as I can remember - he has been an integral part of the 'weekend TV entertainment' format.

I know he's getting old, I know his jokes were feeble, I know a lot of people find him irritating - but - wasn't that a nice gesture? The man has been ill - he probably won't be around for much longer.

Christmas is a time of good will - some people are a bit mean spirited IMO.

I cannot stand him and was going to say that in my post but your paragraph sure struck a chord with me.

I thought he looked and sounded very frail.

So true

Yes, he did look like the years are catching up on him. His detractors should remember that he has been a mainstay of light entertainment in this country for over sixty years. He may be old-fashioned now, but that is some achievement. Plus, unlike several of his contemporaries (notably one J. Savile) he harmed nobody.

I started watching Strictly before I knew who Bruce was (I'm from across the pond) and I didn't take to Bruce, but because I learned more about his history (due to Strictly), I got a bit emotional about that little section because I realized it was a tribute to the man's "body of work" and I, for one, appreciated the caring and thought that went into that decision.

^^This.

Some people need to give their head a wobble.

Nicely put. A nice gesture from the BBC.

I think that was the intent.

Bruce has had a very successful career and there are a lot of things to look back on and appreciate.

Beautifully put Derv

And the studio audience seemed to appreciate even if a handful of miserable people on here did not.

He looks a very sick man and ladling on the fake tan made him look as if he'd been embalmed. Whose idea was that?

Unfortunately, he's lost a lot of respect because like many old entertainers, he went on for far too long.

Just as he did with this Christmas message.

The show has been far better since he stopped trying to continually make it "his show."

In his last few years on Strictly he spoiled the memories of a lot of good work from decades ago. Unfortunately, his legacy for many will be the more recent recollections.

I imagine the message was there for:

a) by way of a consolation for any Bruce fans who expected him to host the show (after it stating he would) and then being disappointed not to find him there.

b) as a tip of the hat form of respect from the Beeb to Bruce. When an employee (and he would have signed a contract to host the show) is sick then it's common decency for a company to at least be seen to show an interest in times of need.

That being said it really didn't do Bruce any favours to be seen as he was. I'm not a fan of his but I did feel sorry for him as he really does look fail there. Maybe he will bounce back but at 89 then it's not as easy as it would be if he was 20+ years younger..

It would be .nice to see him in the audience and for Tess to say hi to him during an episode next year but I do feel that it's time for him to take that needed step back with a degree of grace and enjoy his time with his family.

Totally agree ......... I muted him straight away, when he began his me me me speech....

Agree. The show owes an enormous amount to Bruce Forsyth and I don't get the feeling he was overjoyed about retiring. He's been very ill this year and being completely written off by the show would have been unkind and unnecessary.

^^ Hear hear! ^^

Some people are so full of bile, unbelievable.

Looking at him, I would say that was Bruce's Swan Song.