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Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Bruce Forsyth hands over to Claudia Winkleman after flashmob tap dance

The entertainer will return for guest appearances on special edition shows

Jess Denham
Monday 08 September 2014 04:00 EDT
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Bruce Forsyth departs Strictly Come Dancing as a full-time host but will be back for special editions of the new series
Bruce Forsyth departs Strictly Come Dancing as a full-time host but will be back for special editions of the new series (BBC)

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Fans of Strictly Come Dancing thought they had seen the last of Sir Bruce Forsyth when he announced his departure from the show earlier this year.

But the 86-year-old entertainer will be back for a last hurrah tonight, when he leads a flashmob down the red carpet and into the ballroom.

Forsyth will be joined by the series’ professional dancers for a ‘call and response’ tap routine to “Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet”, before officially handing over the co-presenting reins to Claudia Winkleman.

The 15 celebrities competing for the Glitter Ball Trophy will be paired up with their dancing mentors in the first episode, which launches on BBC One at 8pm this evening. Frankie Bridge, Scott Mills, Steve Backshall, Pixie Lott, Thom Evans, Judy Murray and Gregg Wallace among those taking part.

Forsyth will make various guest appearances on special editions of the twelfth run, including the popular Christmas special.

He said back in April that it felt like “the right time to step down from the rigours of presenting the Strictly live shows”.

“I am very proud of what the show has achieved and confident it will entertain the nation for many years to come,” he added.

This year's celebrities prepare to hit the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom
This year's celebrities prepare to hit the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom (BBC)

Tess Daly returns as a full-time host alongside Winkleman, while viewers can tune in to It Takes Two with Zoe Ball for backstage gossip during week days.

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