SIR Bruce Forsyth is stepping down as presenter of the hit BBC1 series Strictly Come Dancing after a decade fronting the show.
He said it was the "right time to step down from the rigours" of hosting the live shows which have become Saturday night ratings winners.
However he will continue to work on pre-recorded Strictly shows for Christmas and Children In Need as well as one-off BBC specials, and said he will also be performing in theatres.
The future of Sir Bruce, 86, on the show had been a cause of speculation for some months. He had already scaled back some of his commitments, stepping down from the weekly results show and writing occasional rest weeks into his deal with show bosses.
Sir Bruce said: "After 10 wonderful years and 11 series, I believe it is now the right time to step down from the rigours of presenting the Strictly live shows.
"I am very proud of what the show has achieved and confident it will entertain the nation for many years to come. "
BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore said: "Sir Bruce Forsyth is one of the great showbiz legends of our time and Strictly's success is due in vast amounts to him. I am so pleased he will continue to be part of the Strictly family and promise viewers that we haven't seen the last of him on BBC1."
Sir Bruce's co-host Tess Daly said: "It's been an absolute pleasure and a privilege working alongside Bruce
"He's a TV legend, a total gentleman and someone my family and I are honoured to call a true friend.
"We've spoken about it, and he knows how much I love him and how much he'll be missed - but we'll be keeping him dancing when we're reunited for Children in Need and Christmas specials."
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