BRUCE FORSYTH HAS officially stepped down from his presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing.

The veteran TV show host’s departure was announced by the BBC via Twitter this afternoon.

Forsyth and his co-host Tess Daly have presented the series since it first aired in 2004, but had been forced to take regular breaks from the Sunday night results show in recent years.

He released an official statement via the BBC Press Office this afternoon.

“After 10 wonderful years and 11 series, I believe it is now the right time to step down from the rigours of presenting the Strictly live shows”, Forsyth said.

I am very proud of what the show has achieved and confident it will entertain the nation for many years to come. I am also delighted that by presenting the Christmas and Children in Need shows I will continue to have a strong association with Strictly.

In addition, I am looking forward to the specials planned with the BBC as well as some live theatre shows, so before anyone asks…. I am not retiring quite yet!

BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore paid tribute to the 86-year-old entertainer and reassured fans that he wouldn’t be disappearing from the schedule:

Sir Bruce Forsyth is one of the great showbiz legends of our time and Strictly’s success is due in vast amounts to him. I am so pleased he will continue to be part of the Strictly family and promise viewers that we haven’t seen the last of him on BBC One.

The hunt will now be on to find a replacement for the star ahead of Strictly Come Dancing’s return in the autumn.

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