Entertainer Bruce Forsyth, who is celebrating his 80th birthday, began his career as a variety act called The Mighty Atom.

After years of stage work, Forsyth broke into radio on classic show Educating Archie, where he was the puppet's tutor.

Forsyth became a household name with his first major TV show, variety programme Sunday Night at the London Palladium, which he compered in the early 1960s.

In the late 1960s Forsyth appeared in a number of small screen programmes, including Noel Coward's The Red Peppers about a music hall double act.

Forsyth's role as a gameshow host took a massive upturn when he fronted The Generation Game from 1971. Glamorous assistant Anthea Redfern (pictured) became his wife.

The entertainer's Generation Game era saw him adopt his famous "thinker" pose and enduring catchphrases including "nice to see you, to see you - nice".

A move to ITV saw Forsyth continue in his role of jovial gameshow host on shows including Play Your Cards Right with his "dolly dealers".

Throughout his career, Forsyth has remained an all-round entertainer with singing, dancing and music among his repertoire.

Forsyth returned to the forefront of primetime TV in 2004 as the co-host of Strictly Come Dancing. A celebrity revival of an old format proved a ratings smash for the BBC.

The showman's slot as guest host of Have I Got News For You in 2003 drew upon some of his past work and much-loved catchphrases.

With typical flamboyance, he kicked off his 80th birthday celebrations in the company of Miss Puerto Rico (Jennifer Guevara) and Miss England (Georgia Horsley).