Veteran entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth is performing with his big band at the Pavilion Theatre tomorrow evening. Sir Brucie, who presents the hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, recently made his musical comeback by releasing an album of standards after signing a deal with EMI, including a duet with his granddaughter Sophie Purdie.

The Daily Echo grabbed five minutes with Bruce ahead of the show: “I can’t believe it’s been such a long time since I last did what I love best – working to a live theatre audience. It’s how I started and what I did for so many, many years. Television is great but for me as a performer nothing compares to a live theatre show.”

The show will see the legendary showman wowing audiences with a repertoire of “impressions, piano playing, songs and stories.” Over the years, Bruce has been a regular visitor to Dorset and played more than a few rounds at our local golf courses.

“”Bournemouth is one of my favourite seaside towns compared to the others. You’ve got the beaches and the New Forest for a start. I also play golf there with my good friend Peter Aliss and so I wanted to play Bournemouth and the Royal Albert Hall,” says Bruce, 84.

The octogenarian has been given a new lease of life since the success of the relaunched Strictly Come Dancing. However, Bruce is at pains to show the Bournemouth audience that he has other strings to his bow and that his knighthood last year was justified.

“At my age you get to pick and choose what you want to do. I try and do things that challenge me.

“Pop stars and sportsmen get knighthoods, but I think people believe what I do is not difficult as I make it look easy. I tell you, light entertainment should be called heavy entertainment. You try standing in front of hundreds of people and entertaining them.”

The lucky audience at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre will get to see Sir Bruce’s entertaining skills after a 73 year plus showbiz career.