Bruce Forsyth: 'Strictly Come Dancing not at war with The X Factor'

Bruce Forsyth has claimed that there is "no rivalry" between Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor.

The 83-year-old, who received a knighthood for services to entertainment earlier this month, argued that the Saturday night contests are "completely different" shows.

"I think the forties-up are our crowd while The X Factor caters for the bulk of the teenagers," he told The Mail On Sunday. "There's no rivalry as far as I'm concerned.

"Simon Cowell came up to me at the Pride Of Britain Awards last year [and] said, 'It's all banter, isn't it?' and I said, 'Of course it is.'

"He was meant to have said that Strictly is only for the old people and it should be put on in the afternoon so the viewers can watch it and then have a little rest afterwards before watching their show."

Forsyth also confessed that despite his confidence in Strictly's quality and his years of experience, he still gets nervous before every show.

"I always get edgy," he said. "I don't like people coming up and talking to me. I like to get in my own little meditation.

"I have a bit of a glazed look in the eye, wondering whether it's going to be all right and thinking about what I'm going to do. Then I do a little hop before I walk on and the other me takes over."

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