Sir Bruce Forsyth

Sir Bruce Forsyth

Sir Bruce Forsyth is "furious" after he was blamed for filming delays on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

The 85-year-old presenter was said to have been at fault for Saturday's (07.09.13) 80-minute show taking five hours to record, but a source insists he had no more pick-ups - when a presenter repeats a line - than co-host Tess Daly.

The insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "He is both furious and upset. It is completely unfair to suggest that the time taken was down to Bruce. He only did a couple of pick-ups. These take a few minutes at most."

However, the show is said to have taken longer because it was the first time it was shot in the programme's new filming location at Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire.

Bruce and co-host Tess Daley

The insider added: "This was our first time in Elstree Studios, so other factors to consider were sound issues and camera positions.

"Every other Strictly show is live and our presenters have no difficulty. Bruce had no more pick-ups than Tess did and the music performances were recorded twice. This was all done to make the best possible show for the audience."

The show was filmed from 6pm to 11pm on Wednesday (04.09.13), but Bruce and Tess only started on set at around 8:30pm after Rod Stewart and Jessie J had recorded their performances.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "With any pre-recorded show there is the advantage of being able to do pick-ups to get the best out of a production. For example, the professional dancers' group dance was filmed three times - more than any presenter was asked to repeat a line."

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