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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Brogan-Leigh Hurst & Daniel Morrow

Bruce Forsyth's children 'didn't inherit anything from £11.7m fortune in his will'

People across the UK were in mourning in 2017 when it had emerged that Sir Bruce Forsyth had died at the age of 89.

The entertainer, who was best known for hosting the likes of Play Your Cards Right and Strictly Come Dancing, sadly lost his battle with bronchial pneumonia on August 18 that year.

Sir Bruce became a household name in the world of showbiz during his incredible career that spanned over seven decades, the Mirror reports.

Shortly after his death, it was reported that none of his children would inherit nothing from his vast £11.7m fortune in his will.

In 2018, it was claimed all of his fortune will go to his widow Lady Wilnelia Merced, according to Mail On Sunday.

Bruce previously said kids should inherit all their parents fortune, as he hit out at the use of inheritance tax.

He told Radio Times in 2015: "I think your inheritance should go to your children more than back to the country that you've lived in.

It was reported that all of Sir Bruce's fortune will go to his widow Lady Wilnelia Merced (PA)

"I'm not saying you don't owe the country something, of course you owe your country a lot for living there all those years. But I think it can be a bit over the top.”

Despite claims his kids Debbie, Julie, Laura, Charlotte, Louisa and son Jonathan Joseph were believed to be getting nothing, it was claimed he did make provisions for his nine grandchildren.

It was reported they would each inherit £100,000 which was left in a trust fund to be split nine ways after they turn 21.

A further two payments of £20,000 would go to two of his executors, it's claimed.

When Lady Wilnelia was handed his £11million will, it was reported she could then dish out up to £650,000 to Bruce's relatives without paying tax on it.

Bruce's estate was exempt from inheritance tax after he left it to former Miss World Wilnelia.

After his death, Lady Wilnelia planted Forsythia around a bench dedicated to Brucie on the East Course at Wentworth, where he was for years a member.

She said she did it to remember her “darling Bruce” adding: “We miss you always, today more than ever.”

At the time, she told how every time she sees a rainbow she thinks of him.

She said: “I remember saying to him, ‘But Bruce, how will I know what to do when you’re not here? I can’t even work the TV without you!’

“He turned to me and said, ‘Just look for the rainbow, my darling’.

“Now his children send me pictures of rainbows from wherever they are and it’s really just this wonderful feeling.”

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