Bruce Forsyth dead: Stephen Fry leads tributes for beloved entertainer after he dies age 89

TV host, dancer, actor and all-round entertainer enjoyed a career spanning almost 75 years

Tributes are being paid to legendary entertainer Bruce Forsyth after he passed away age 89.

Ian Wildon, his manager, released a statement, reading: “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!'”

Responding to the news on Twitter, ​Stephen Fry wrote that there was "only one Brucie" and quipped that it was "more than nice to see you, to see you more than nice", referring to his famous catchphrase.

British gymnast Louis Smith, who won the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing when Forsyth was still a host, said he had been a legend on TV when he was growing up.

Actor Samuel West remembered his first ever appearance on television:

His illustrious career began when he was just 14 and spanned more than 75 years. Considered a veteran of British television, he was at one time Britain's highest-paid TV star after hosting a string of popular game shows.

He came to national attention hosting ITV series Sunday Night at the London Palladium, and would go onto host some of Britain's most beloved TV game shows, including The Generation Game and The Price Is Right.

From 2004 to 2013 he hosted Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly. In 2013 he also became the oldest person to perform at Glastonbury Festival, age 85.