Ronnie Corbett stands in for Brucie on Strictly

Sat Nov 14 2009 21:35:57

Comedian Ronnie Corbett stepped into Bruce Forsyth's shoes on Strictly Come Dancing after flu floored the veteran host.

The BBC had said co-host Tess Daly would front the show alone but had promised viewers a "surprise".

All was revealed when the show started and Corbett trotted down the stairs, nearly tripping in his excitement.

Forsyth, who is recovering at his home in Virginia Water, Surrey, has never missed an episode of the popular ballroom dancing contest, which is now in its seventh series.

Claudia Winkleman, who presents Strictly's spin-off show It Takes Two, also joined the main programme, taking Daly's usual role interviewing the dancers backstage.

Meanwhile, athlete Jade Johnson was left in tears after a knee injury forced her to pull out of the show.

Johnson's knee "popped" when she tried to get up after dancing during the dress rehearsal and doctors advised her to rest and get treatment.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.