Furious Strictly Come Dancing pros yesterday hit back at calls for host Bruce Forsyth to retire. 80-year-old Bruce came under fire after an embarrassing blunder and an inappropriate joke on the BBC1 dancing show.

Viewers rang in or left messages on forum to complain about Bruce when he made what was deemed to be an ‘offensive’ joke about judge Bruno Toniolo. Bruce commented that, “That’s the last thing we need on this show, another Nancy” when he heard that contestant Cherie Lunghi once played Nancy in Oliver Twist.

Bruce also accidentally called Jessie Wallace ‘Jelly’ but the show’s professional dancers were quick to support Bruce. Anton Du Beke said, “Brucie’s irreplaceable.” Darren Bennett added, “Bruce is the lynchpin for the show” while Lilia Kopylova said, “He’s such a big part of the show. We all love Brucie.”

Erin Boag added, “He’s Mr Entertainment. Who else out there is of the same ilk?”