Sir Bruce Forsyth thanks British press, public for knighthood

Sir Bruce Forsyth has said that he is thankful to the British press and public for their efforts in seeing him receive a knighthood.

The Strictly Come Dancing host collected his honour from the Queen earlier today.

In the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Forsyth was recognised for his services to entertainment, in a career which has spanned almost 70 years.

"I'm grateful to the newspapers for being behind me," he told BBC News. "How often do you get the chance to say that you thank the British press? I mean, it's unheard of!

"But I am thanking them, because they've had a wonderful campaign for me. Of course, the British public have been so loyal. They helped. And even the MPs in the House of Commons; they got a motion up as well."

He added: "So to have this kind of support... I feel everybody has got a part of this in a way."

Speaking about his brief meeting with the "gracious" Queen, the 83-year-old revealed that the monarch was surprised to learn he had been in showbusiness since the age of 14.

"It shocked me a bit when I said it," he quipped. "Her words were lovely to me. I'm over the moon."

> Bruce Forsyth: A career in pictures