London - (Neck Row Fillier): Reports that Strictly Come Dancing compere Bruce Forsyth 'is little better than a graverobber's kneetrembler' have startled his loyal Last Tango In Paris fans.
The 80-something TV show host has been reviled by Rome media as one of the Beeb's walking dead.
Last week he was being compared to deceased Italian television entertainer Mike Bongiorno - whose remains have gone missing from a Milan cemetery family plot.
Quiz king Bongiorno died last year and was buried in his scarlet $1,000 dancing shoes.
A spokesperson for Forsyth said today Brucie's in good nick and still quickstepping all the way to the bank where his Strictly earnings continue to mount.
The next Come Dancing series starts April 1st.
