Bruce Forsyth presented Strictly for 10 years (Image: Redferns)
The beloved former presenter had a touching last interaction with his wife, making her a heartfelt promise just weeks before he passed away at the age of 89.
Esteemed for his remarkable 75-year career in British entertainment, Sir Bruce became a household name as the face of some of the UK’s favourite game shows like The Generation Game and Bruce’s Price is Right.
His wife of 35 years, Wilnelia Merced, was left grief-stricken at the thought of losing her great love when Sir Bruce’s health deteriorated in 2017.
During the emotional celebration ’20 Fabulous Years’ broadcast on Saturday evening, audiences were reminded of Sir Bruce’s integral role in the dance series from its inception in 2004 until he stepped down a decade later.
Wilnelia, who was 29 years his junior, fondly remembered meeting Bruce when she was just 23 and he 51. Despite their significant age difference, she cherishes the connection they shared, describing him as “the perfect partner. A friend, a lover, someone I could trust, respect and admire.”
In a poignant revelation to the Mail, Wilnelia reflected on Sir Bruce’s final days fighting bronchopneumonia. She sensed his life was drawing to a close, reports .
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Sir Bruce’s wife sensed his life was drawing to a close (Image: Getty Images)
In his ultimate two weeks, she recalled, “he was not well” and made the difficult decision to cancel an appointment upon realising it was the first time he couldn’t leave his bed.
Wilnelia fondly remembered a poignant conversation with her late husband, revealing: “I said to him, ‘what am I going to do without you? I don’t even know how to use this television remote control.’ I’d bought him a huge, new television so he could watch his sport.”
With gentle reassurance, she recounted his response, “He said ‘Really? The control?’ He was showing me how to use it and I said, ‘how am I going to live without you? How am I going to make decisions? He said ‘don’t worry I’ll be here. Every time you see a rainbow you’ll think of me and you’ll know what to do.”
Following his emotional promise, Wilnelia began to notice rainbows more frequently after his passing, interpreting it as a sign that Bruce remains ever-present in her life.
She poignantly recalled that shortly after he passed away, amidst the presence of his five daughters, son, and wife, a rainbow graced the sky, prompting her to capture the moment on her phone as an everlasting keepsake.
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Sir Bruce was the face of Strictly Come Dancing until his retirement (Image: Getty)
She also shared memories from their Puerto Rican villa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where rain and “glorious” sunshine often resulted in rainbows which they watched together. She speculated that perhaps these frequent visions influenced Bruce’s final words about rainbows.
Opening up, Wilnelia expressed her deep yearning to believe that it is indeed Bruce making his presence known, noting how those grieving latch onto any semblance of comfort. Concluding, she explained how every rainbow sighted now becomes a comforting reminder that Bruce is watching over her.