Sir Bruce Forsyth had a "twinkle in his eye" weeks before his death.
The television icon – who had been unwell for some time and was hospitalised earlier this year with a severe chest infection – passed away on Friday (18.08.17), and his manager Ian Wilson has said the star was still cracking jokes even in his ill health.
In a statement, Ian said: "It is with great sadness that the Forsyth family announce that Sir Bruce passed away this afternoon, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Wilnelia and all his children.
"A couple of weeks ago, a friend visited him and asked him what he had been doing these last 18 months.
"With a twinkle in his eye, he responded ‘I’ve been very, very busy … being ill!’"
And, according to BBC News, the family of the former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ presenter – including his 59-year-old widow Lady Wilnelia Forsyth and his six children – took a moment to express their thanks to "the many people who have sent cards and letters to Bruce wishing him well over his long illness and know that they will share in part, the great, great loss they feel".
The publication stated the family would not be commenting further at the time of writing, and asked for their privacy to be respected "at this most difficult time".
Meanwhile, BBC directory general Sir Tony Hall also paid tribute to the ‘Price Is Right’ host – whose exact cause of death is not yet known – in a statement which dubbed him as "legendary".
He said: "He has delighted millions of people and defined Saturday night television for decades, with shows like the ‘Generation Game’ and, most recently, ‘Strictly…’
"His warmth and his wit were legendary. I’ve never seen anyone quite like him when it comes to performing in front of a crowd.
"He had a remarkable chemistry with his audience – that’s what made him such an amazing professional and why he was so loved. He has been part of all of our lives, and we’ll miss him dearly."
Bruce’s passing comes after he underwent keyhole surgery in 2015 after suffering two aneurysms which were discovered after a fall in his Surrey home.
Sir Bruce Forsyth’s releases statement on death
