After 70 plus years in the entertainment industry, you’d expect Sir Bruce Forsyth to hang up his tap shoes and retire gracefully.

He is after all, a household name, the beneficiary of numerous accolades and a much-loved British showman – few will forget the public campaign to have him knighted.
 

Yet, having just signed a deal for his 11th series of Strictly Come Dancing, the 85-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s set to mark his 72 years in the biz with a series of comedy and music spectaculars.
 

So just how the devil does he do it?
 

“I start my exercises in bed,“ says Bruce, his voice thick with his signature lilt.
 

There’s an awkward pause. Unsure whether to take him seriously or not, I start giggling. It’s not that surprising I suppose, his wife is Lady Wilnelia, the first and, to date, only winner of the Miss World title from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 

“Now, now, now no-oh laughing,“ he chuckles, “my wife is on the other side of the bed when I begin.“
 

I’m glad we’ve cleared that up. For his fitness regime is no laughing matter. It takes him an  hour to get out of bed after waking, with the combination of stretching and yoga exercises he does between the sheets. And he is adamant there are no plans to release a fitness DVD.
 

Rather he’s sticking with what he does best.
 

“Never in a million years did I think my career would last this long,“ the Edmonton-born entertainer says. “I just wanted to be Fred Astaire when I was growing up. His movies with Ginger Rogers influenced me to dance around the house, I’d roll back the carpets, so the wood was exposed, and dance.
 

“My parents suggested I take dance classes, and I did, first in Tottenham, then in Piccadilly. While the bombs were falling, I’d be dancing. The air raid siren would be going and still I’d be dancing.“
 

Does he think he’s a better dancer than the professionals on Strictly?
“I’m not going to go there,“ he guffaws. “When it comes to the  Latin I’m past my sell by date, but in my prime, let’s just say, I’d have given them a run for their money.“
 

Starting on the showbiz circuit at the age of 14, with a song, dance and accordion act called Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom, he made his first television appearance on a talent show in 1939.
 

But it wasn’t until 1958 that success really beckoned. An appearance with comedian Dickie Henderson led to his being offered the job of compère of weekly TV variety show, Sunday Night at the London Palladium. He then went on to host the Generation Game, Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night, Play Your Cards Right, and The Price Is Right.
 

He also makes regular appearances on panel shows – Have I Got News For You, isn’t averse to a comic roast, and he released an album in 2011 – These Are My Favourites.
 

With such a wealth of experience in the industry, he admits it’s changed over the years and not necessarily for the better.
 

“We used to attract big names over from America,“ he says reminiscing. “We had people like Sammy Davis Junior and Nat King Cole. Now we have people who are famous for the sake of being famous, there’s little talent involved.
 

“Also, it’s a different Hollywood now and we don’t see performers performing any more, rather they just sit on these chat shows and talk about their careers, which is a shame.“
 

Given his years in showbusiness, it’s surprising to discover that backstage, Bruce isn’t more demanding. All he requests are digestive biscuits and pots of tea – PG Tips or Yin Zhen.
 

As for what to expect at his London date, Bruce says he’ll be doing what he’s known for – being the all-round entertainer – singing, dancing, piano playing and I’ve got a wonderful orchestra with me. But essentially it’ll be me, a 35-year-old making out he’s not 85.“
 

I’d expect nothing less.
 

Bruce Forsyth is at the Royal Albert Hall, on Monday, June 3. Details: www.royalalberthall.com