Sir Bruce Forsyth was planning work return before death

Sir Bruce Forsyth was "looking forward" to going back to work just weeks before his death.

The veteran presenter passed away in August at the age of 89 but, although he had been poorly for some time, his friend Jimmy Tarbuck was surprised by his death because he appeared in high spirits when he visited him a few weeks earlier and he was even talking about jobs.

Speaking on \'Loose Women\' on Tuesday (12.09.17), he said: "The last time I saw him I went with Kenny Lynch around the house and his lovely misses Wilnelia.

"We sat down - she brought the sandwiches and the tea in for the lads. She [says] \'I\'ll leave you now to go back in time and laugh and we just roared laughing at things.

"[He was] bright as a button doing it all but he wasn\'t quite as mobile as he had been. He was in great form. He was looking forward to going back to work."

The former \'Strictly Come Dancing\' host\'s close friends and family attended a "sad but beautiful" intimate ceremony last week as the legendary star was finally laid to rest. Guests lined outside the church and released 12 white doves into the air to honour the late veteran entertainer as a speaker said: "To the rainbow. Somewhere over the rainbow. Until we all meet again."

The beautiful moment was captured on camera and shared on Instagram by Phones 4u founder John Caudwell, who accompanied the footage with the caption: "A sad but beautiful moment at Bruce\'s funeral. The loss of a dear friend and amazing entertainer that spanned my whole life! RIP Sir Bruce. X (sic)"

It\'s believed Bruce\'s family are planning another ceremony for his fans at a later date.

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.

The television icon had been unwell for some time and was hospitalised earlier this year with a severe chest infection but his manager Ian Wilson said Bruce was still cracking jokes even in his ill health.