Bruce 'furious' over too old for Strictly claims – Daily TV round-up

Sir Bruce Forsyth is said to be 'furious' over claims that he is being blamed for the first episode of 'Strictly Come Dancing' taking five hours to film because he is now too old to present it.

Sources inside the show have said that the 85-year-old star was only involved in around half of the filming time.

It's also claimed that co-host Tess Daly had as many pick-ups – when the presenter has to repeat lines again for the camera – as Brucie.

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An insider told the Daily Mirror: “He is both furious and upset. It is completely unfair to suggest that the time taken was down to Bruce. He only did a couple of pick-ups. These take a few minutes at most.”

The recording of the first show, which was broadcast on Saturday night, started at 6pm and didn't finish until 11pm.

It's been reported that Forsyth 'struggled' with lines and cues, and was 'clearly tired'.

But a spokesperson for the BBC said: “With any pre-recorded show there is the advantage of being able to do pick-ups to get the best out of a production. For example, the professional dancers’ group dance was filmed three times – more than any presenter was asked to repeat a line.”

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Meanwhile, Forsyth will take one weekend off a month from presenting for this series, with Claudia Winkleman filling in.

BBC1 controller Danny Cohen added: “Bruce is a living legend and an integral part of Strictly. He and only he will decide when it’s time to leave the ballroom.” [Daily Mirror]

Also in today's press

'Strictly Come Dancing' has beaten 'The X Factor' in the ratings on the first week both shows have appeared on air. 'Strictly' scooped a peak audience of 9.4 million to 'The X Factor's 9.1 million. [Metro]

James Bolam is set to return to 'New Tricks' as a ghost for former co-star Amanda Redman's final episode on the show. He will play Jack Salford for one more scene, after his character died in 2012. Jack will advise Redman's Sandra Pullman from beyond the grave. [Daily Mirror]

'EastEnders' star Samantha Womack has said that she regrets ever posing for lads' mags. “The period with the whole ladette thing I felt I was being objectified,” she said. “But that was my own fault for being young and too silly to have an idea of the kind of photos I was doing, and not understanding at 18 those photos would then be there for ever. I’m accepting of them but I wish I had understood at the time. I’m very pro-women and I love women being sexy but there were some photos I did which were quite degrading.” [Daily Mirror]