I will never work for ITV again while that man is there

Bruce Forsyth

Forsyth was said to be furious after his other ITV show, Play Your Cards Right, was axed in June last year.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Forsyth attacked ITV controller David Liddiment for chopping the show and accused him of trying to "bury" his TV career.

He said: "He has lied to me, stripped me of my dignity and humiliated me.

"He has embarrassed me and shown me no respect whatsoever.

"I will never work for ITV again while that man is there."

'Huge contribution'

An ITV spokeswoman paid tribute to Forsyth as "probably one of the greatest all-round entertainers on British television".

She added: "He has made a huge contribution to ITV but clearly Bruce must make his own decisions about the future.

"We wish him all the best."

The London-born entertainer has been one of the UK's best-known TV personalities for over 40 years, although he started his showbusiness career at the age of 14 playing Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom.

He was spotted on stage at a summer show in Devon in 1958 and asked to join one of ITV's early hits, Sunday Night At The London Palladium, which made him into a national celebrity.

Enduring popularity

He is still best remembered for hosting the Generation Game on BBC One during the 1970s, and his career has also seen him take film and stage roles.

During the 1980s and 1990s his popularity has endured thanks to Play Your Cards Right, as well as revivals of the Generation Game and The Price Is Right.

However, in 1998 he received a slap in the face when furniture group Courts dropped him from their advertising campaign saying it was time for them to move "a little more up-market".