Sir Bruce Forsyth has been forced to pull out of hosting this weekend's 'Strictly Come Dancing' after being struck down with flu.


The 85-year-old - who has hosted the BBC dancing competition since it launched in 2004 - will be replaced by Claudia Winkleman , who co-hosts the results programme.


bruce forsyth


Bruce Forsyth

The BBC said: "Sir Bruce Forsyth has the flu and therefore isn't feeling well enough to present tomorrow's Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1.


"The show looks forward to his return next week."


Producers regularly schedule rest weeks into Brucie's schedule during the series to help him cope with the workload of fronting three months of weekly live programmes.


Saturday night's show will see the 15 celebrity couples facing the public vote for the first time. Viewers will learn which couple will be the first for the chop during Sunday's results show.



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  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Abbey Clancy</strong> <strong>Age: </strong>27 <strong>Best know for:</strong> Modelling and being married to England footballer Peter Crouch. She also presents fashion segments on 'This Morning'. <strong>Odds:</strong> 5/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Rachel Riley</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 27 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Taking over from Carol Vorderman as the letters and numbers whizz on 'Countdown'. <strong>Odds:</strong> 4/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Sophie Ellis-Bextor</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 34 <strong>Best known for: </strong>Being a singer, with hits such as 'Murder On The Dance Floor' and 'If This Ain't Love'. She's also the daughter of former 'Blue Peter' presenter Janet Ellis. <strong>Odds:</strong> 6/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Vanessa Feltz</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 51 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Her 90s chat show 'Vanessa'. She now presents her own radio show on BBC London and Radio 2, and famously had a meltdown on 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2001. <strong>Odds:</strong> 50/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Deborah Meaden</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 54 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Being a Dragon on BBC Two business show 'Dragons' Den'. <strong>Odds:</strong> 40/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Susanna Reid</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 42 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Presenting 'BBC Breakfast' with Bill Turnbull. She also appeared on a 'Children In Need' special of the show with fellow newsreaders in 2012. <strong>Odds:</strong> 8/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Natalie Gumede</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 29 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Playing husband beater Kirsty Soames on 'Coronation Street'. <strong>Odds:</strong> 6/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Fiona Fullerton</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 56 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Her roles as Bond girl Pola Ivanova in 1985's 'A View to a Kill' and as Alice in 1972 film 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. <strong>Odds:</strong> 20/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Ashley Taylor Dawson</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 31 <strong>Best known for:</strong> His role as Darren Osborne in Channel 4 soap 'Hollyoaks'. He also used to be in pop band allSTARS*. <strong>Odds:</strong> 10/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Ben Cohen</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 34 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Being a rugby union player, and being a gay icon after establishing The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to combat homophobia and bullying. <strong>Odds:</strong> 6/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Patrick Robinson</strong> <strong>Age: </strong>49 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Playing Martin "Ash" Ashford on 'Casualty'. <strong>Odds:</strong> 20/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Julien Macdonald</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 42 <strong>Best known for: </strong>Being a fashion designer, as well as having a famous spat with Cheryl Cole in 2011. <strong>Odds:</strong> 16/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Mark Benton</strong> <strong>Age:</strong> 47 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Starring in 'Waterloo Road' as maths teacher Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk. <strong>Odds:</strong> 40/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Dave Myers</strong> <strong>Age: </strong>56 <strong>Best known for:</strong> Being one half of TV chef duo The Hairy Bikers. <strong>Odds:</strong> 50/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013


    <strong>Tony Jacklin</strong> <strong>Age: </strong>69 <strong>Best known for: </strong>Being an English pro golfer. <strong>Odds:</strong> 50/1




  • Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013





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