Bruce Forsyth was unable to present the show after undergoing surgery, but recorded a video message for fans.
Speaking to the camera from home he said: ““It’s nice to see you to see you nice. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am to not be with you on this Christmas Day. Well actually, I can tell you. I’m absolutely gutted because I haven’t quite got over my operation – which went very well by the way. Mind you I was a bit worried when the surgeon stood over me and said: ‘I’ll carve’. That’s enough of my rehearsed ad libs.”
He finished: “You are all my favourites and I haven’t said that for a long long time. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and keep dancing.”