Sir Bruce Forsyth refused to speak Jim Davidson "ever again" after he took over as host of 'The Generation Game' in 1995.

Jim Davidson

Jim Davidson

The 63-year-old comedian was asked to fill in for the television veteran on the game show after he fell ill one time but, although it was only meant to be temporary, bosses of the series decided to offer him a full time job because they couldn't "afford" Bruce's fee when it came to re-commissioning another instalment.

Speaking on an upcoming episode of 'Piers Morgan's Life Stories', Jim said: "One day there was a knock on the door and a man said, 'Jim, we are recording The Generation Game tomorrow and Bruce has gone sick. Can you step in to do it?'

"I said I would give it a go. I was not particularly good, but it made Bruce get better really quickly. When negotiations came for Series 34 for Bruce they used me as a chess piece to say, 'We can't go to that [his fee], Bruce.

"We have this guy.' I took over and I don't think Bruce was very happy. He did not speak to me again for the rest of his life. He did not speak to me much anyway. I was always the upstart. So I did it and I loved it. It was fantastic."

'The Generation Game' is set for a reboot next year but rather than Jim - who presented the show from 1995 until 2002 - reclaiming his presenting duties, bosses have decided to give the job to former 'Great British Bake Off' duo Mel and Sue.

But Jim said or the revival: "It was of its day. I would rather watch Ant and Dec do it."

Meanwhile, although the producers dropped him in favour of Jim, the reboot will feature a tribute to Bruce .

Bosses are keen to give the late legendary entertainer, who hosted the popular game show from 1971 until 1977 and for four years between 1990 and 1994, the send off he deserves after he passed away at the age of 89 in August.

A source said recently: "The plan is to have Bruce suitably honoured in the first episode -- almost as if he's handing over the reins. He's such a huge part of the show that it seems the right thing to do. The plan is for him to feature on screen. The final details haven't been ironed out but it's going to be a touching moment, a big tribute to the man who started it all."

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