Strictly Come Dancing: Tess Daly holds back tears as show pays tribute to former host Bruce Forsyth

'We all miss him dreadfully'

Earlier this year, Bruce Forsyth — the face of Saturday night television — passed away, aged 89.

Over his 75-year-long career, Forsyth hosted dozens of television shows, including Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right.

Until 2015, Forsyth also presented Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly, before being replaced by Claudia Winkleman.

During the 2017 launch show on BBC One, the hosts paid tribute to the former presenter, a tearful Daly saying: “There is one person in our hearts, and we want to do him proud.”

“We all miss him dreadfully,” added Winkleman. Following an introductory video featuring many of Forsyth’s best moments, the professional dancers put on a special routine to ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ made famous by Frank Sinatra. Watch below.

New head judge Shirley Ballas said of the performance beforehand: "People had better have a box of Kleenex at the ready.

“The professional dancers do the most beautiful tribute to Sir Bruce - it's endearing, heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.”

Meanwhile, the launch show saw the celebrity and professional dancers being paired up. Find out who was matched with who here.