Biografía

He first appeared on television in 1938.

He was regarded as one of the last great variety entertainers, as he could act, sing, play piano, ukulele and accordion, dance and tell jokes.

He had one son, Jonathan Joseph, with third wife Wilnelia Merced, two daughters Charlotte Forsyth and Louisa Forsyth with second wife Anthea Redfern and three daughters Debbie Matthews, Julie Forsyth and Laura Forsyth with first wife Penny Calvert.

He was named a Knight Bachelor in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to Entertainment and to Charity.

Served as a corporal in the Royal Air Force.

[Speaking in November 2004]: I'm not 77 until February and every month to me is vital.

I do a work-out every morning, half-an-hour, yoga and stretches, always before breakfast otherwise I don't feel like it.

I'd never done a show where I'd sat down behind a desk. I always call myself a 'head-to-toe' performer, I move around.

[when asked by Jasmine Bligh on the talent show where he made his first (pre-war) television appearance what he wanted to be when he grew up] I want to be a famous dancer like Fred Astaire so I can buy my mum a fur coat.

I don't know why they call it light entertainment though. Were Morecambe (Eric Morecambe) and Wise (Ernie Wise) light entertainment? The Two Ronnies (1971)? I think it was very heavy. It got millions and millions of viewers; it was heavy entertainment, giving the general public what they wanted. I've never liked the idea of light entertainment; I've never understood it and I never will.