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Ant and Dec pay tribute to Bruce Forsyth at NTAs

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Digital Spy

The incredible legacy of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth was celebrated at the National Television Awards tonight.

Tuesday's ceremony marked the first NTAs since the Strictly Come Dancing host and all-round television icon passed away last August following a long period of ill health. The night featured a special video tribute introduced by Dermot O'Leary, as well as a sombre musical performance from Seal.

Photo credit: Tom Nicholson/REX/Shutterstock
Photo credit: Tom Nicholson/REX/Shutterstock

In addition to the on-air memorial, the National Television Awards also handed out the first-ever Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award to Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

Before the award was given away, Bruce's wife Wilnelia spoke poignantly to the star-studded live crowd: "I'm so proud and honoured that this special award is named after my darling Bruce.

"I know he'd love it because show business was his life. I also know if he was here tonight, he'd be saying to you, 'It was nice to see you. To see you, nice'."

Photo credit: Tom Nicholson/REX/Shutterstock
Photo credit: Tom Nicholson/REX/Shutterstock

Ant & Dec later confirmed, while accepting the first-ever Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, that they were planning a salute to Sir Brucie in their upcoming series of Saturday Night Takeaway.

"To get [the award] off Winnie is really quite an honour," Ant told backstage presenter Georgia Toffolo.

The entertainment world came together last August when the 89-year-old presenter, singer and comedian passed away, with BBC Director-General Tony Hall hailing Brucie as "one of the greatest entertainers our country has ever known".

His former Strictly Come Dancing co-worker Claudia Winkleman remembered Sir Bruce as the undisputed "King of TV", while Ant and Dec said that there "will never be another like him" in the history of television.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

At the launch of Strictly Come Dancing's 2017 series last autumn, Sir Bruce's long-time co-host Tess Daly broke down in tears while praising her late friend as "the kindest man in the world".

Dermot O'Leary presented the 23rd National Television Awards from the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday (January 23), with coverage airing live on ITV. For a full rundown of the show, just click here.


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