The National Television Awards (NTAs) have announced it will give respect to the legendary performer, Sir Bruce Forsyth, at the 2018 ceremony scheduled for January 23.
Sir Bruce passed away in August of this year, aged 89, having spent more than 75 years in showbusiness, and the NTAs felt it was only right and proper to celebrate his life by naming one of their awards after him.
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award will be presented at the glittering event, and nominees for the award include Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, The Graham Norton Show, Tonight at the London Palladium, and All Round to Mrs Brown’s.
Speaking after the announcement of the honour, Lady Forsyth said of her late husband:
“My darling Bruce would have been both humbled and delighted to have a National Television Entertainment Award named in his honour. Entertainment was his life, the National Television Awards always had a special place in his heart because they’re the people’s awards, voted by viewers.”
Over the years, a total of 322 engraved awards have been presented, all chosen by the viewing public. The statuette itself stands around 35 centimetres high and weighs 1.745 kilograms. A selection of 67 nameplates are prepared ahead of the ceremony, ready to be engraved with the winner’s names as they are announced on the night.
Sir Bruce received the Special Recognition Award in 2011, saying at the time:
‘It’s so overwhelming – the best thing I’ve ever won’.