Sir Bruce Forsyth will be honoured with a special dance tribute on the opening 'Strictly Come Dancing' episode.

Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly

Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly

The TV legend sadly passed away aged 89 on Friday (18.08.17) and the professional dancers have already started rehearsing the "heartfelt" performance to celebrate his life and his 10 years co-hosting the programme.

Louise Rainbow, the show's executive producer, told The Sun newspaper: "The thoughts of everyone here are still very much with Sir Bruce's family.

"Of course, we will be paying tribute to Sir Bruce at our launch show and this will include a heartfelt performance from our Strictly professional dancers.

"We all want to celebrate him and all that he loved about the show. Sir Bruce was, and will always be, a huge part of 'Strictly Come Dancing'."

Recent reports suggested a tribute might include "a Fred Astaire tap dancing spectacular" as well as a montage of his best bits co-presenting alongside Tess Daly.

An insider recently said: "Sir Bruce was greatly missed when he stepped down as the main co-host and only popped back to front the Children In Need and Christmas specials.

"There are lots of things in the mix and we will be liaising with Sir Bruce's family as we want this to be our way of saying thank you to our favourite."

Bruce is survived by his wife Lady Wilnelia Forsyth and his six children - daughters Debbie, Julie and Laura from his first marriage with Penny Calvert, Charlotte and Louisa with his second spouse Anthea Redfern and a son with Wilnelia - as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Alexandra Burke, Jonnie Peacock and Debbie McGee were the final three contestants confirmed for this year's 'Strictly' on Monday (21.08.17).

They will go up against Chizzy Akudolu, Charlotte Hawkins, Brian Conley, Susan Calman, Aston Merrygold, Simon Rimmer, Joe McFadden, Reverend Richard Coles, Gemma Atkinson, Ruth Langsford, Davood Ghadami and Mollie King in a bid to win the Glitterball Trophy.