Michael Grade backs Bruce Forsyth for knighthood

Lord Grade became BBC chairman in 2004, the same year Strictly Come Dancing was launched

It is "shocking" that veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth has yet to receive a knighthood, former BBC and ITV chairman Michael Grade has said.

"There's an innate snobbery in Whitehall that music hall is vulgar," he told the Radio Times. "It's the same with television."

Forsyth, who turned 83 on Tuesday, was made a CBE in 2006.

Last year he said he was "in very good company" and that he was content with his current honour.

"Morecambe and Wise never got a knighthood, the Two Ronnies never got a knighthood," he was quoted as saying.

"I have a CBE which I was very pleased to accept and still am very pleased to accept.

"If that's as far as it goes, that's as far as it goes."

Lord Grade, who was made a member of the House of Lords last year, said he had "lost count of the number of dinner-party conversations where someone says, 'television is dreadful.'

"I ask if they've seen a particular programme. 'Oh yes, that was good.' Their arguments fall apart within seconds.

"Television hasn't got worse," he continued. "It's different."

Known for hosting such classic game shows as The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right, Bruce Forsyth has presented Strictly Come Dancing since 2004.

Last month he received a special recognition prize at the National TV awards.