Sir Bruce Forsyth taken to hospital after fall

Sir Bruce Forsyth will not present the latest instalment of his BBC variety show after being taken to hospital following a fall at home.

The 87-year-old veteran entertainer has been told by doctors that he must rest for a week after the tumble, which left him with concussion and bruising, The Guardian reports.

He was due to begin filming this evening for Bruce's Hall of Fame, a variety show special recorded at London's Dominion Theatre and due to air in the new year.

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Guests scheduled to perform on the show include comedian Catherine Tate, West End star Beverley Knight and Eastenders actress Shona McGarty. Alexander Armstrong, who was also set to appear on the show, will now be taking over as compere in Forsyth's absence.

Kalooki Pictures, the production company making the variety show, which first aired as a special last Christmas, said: "This morning, Sir Bruce Forsyth slipped and fell at his home resulting in facial abrasions and minor concussion.

"He attended hospital and had a series of scans and tests all of which happily proved negative."

In a statement made after being examined at hospital, Forsyth said he was "really sad" to pull out of the show, but had confidence in stand-in Armstrong's "capable hands".

In April last year, Forsyth announced that he would be leaving Strictly Come Dancing – which he had presented since it began in 2004 – citing the "rigours" of live television.

Having missed several episodes of the show due to illness, Forsyth admitted that the pressures of hosting had taken a toll on his health, although he still plans to make an appearance in the Children in Need and Christmas specials.