BBC has no plans to replace Bruce Forsyth on Strictly Come Dancing

BBC One’s new controller Danny Cohen has stated he has no plans to replace Bruce Forsythe on Strictly Come Dancing.

 

BBC One’s new controller Danny Cohen has stated he has no plans to replace Bruce Forsyth on Strictly Come Dancing. Cohen is quoted in The Mirror denying there were plans afoot to replace Forsythe for the next series of the popular entertainment show. Over the past week or so media reports have emerged putting Vernon Kay and John Barrowman in the frame for hosting duties alongside Tess Daly – but it seems those reports may be a bit pre-mature.

 

“Bruce is a great entertainer and if he wants to keep doing Strictly, the job is his, He is on holiday at the moment but when he gets back we will sit down and discuss things. All the speculation about other presenters is confusing, because we haven’t approached anyone else. That is the truth. We will be speaking to Bruce when he gets back.” – Danny Cohen quoted in The Mirror

Replacing Forsyth with a younger presenter, such as Vernon Kay or John Barrowman, could leave the corporation open to more accusations of ageism especially if Forsyth was simply replaced instead of deciding to step down. When former BBC One controller Jay Hunt decided to replace Arlene Phillips with Alesha Dixon on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing the show found itself at the centre of an ageism storm within the media. In The Mirror Cohen also paid tribute to Forsythe.

“Do you realise he has spent almost 70 years in show business? The guy is incredible. Would we like to do a programme about that anniversary? Yes, for sure. I think the BBC did a show when he turned 80, but if we could possibly make something different and Bruce wanted to, we would love to discuss that with him as well.” – Danny Cohen quoted in The Mirror

While the next series of Strictly Come Dancing is still quite a few months away media stories relating to it are still appearing. Aside from reports over possible new presenters some outlets are claiming that The One Show presenter Alex Jones has already signed up for the next series. Jones predecessor on The One Show, Christine Bleakley, was a contestant in Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.