Bruce Forsyth's family were "terrorised" by three masked burglars in 2002, with the late Strictly Come Dancing presenter describing the intruders as "animals".
Attack at Surrey mansion
Bruce's wife Wilnelia, then 43, his teenage son JJ, and housekeeper Cora Gumarang were held in separate rooms of the family's Surrey mansion while thousands of pounds of valuables were stolen. Bruce was on a golfing holiday at the time but rushed home after the incident, during which Wilnelia's jewellery was ripped from her hands and neck.
Housekeeper Cora was beaten after attempting to call the police and pulling a balaclava off one of the masked intruders. Bruce said at the time: "The only way to describe them is animals. This is what an animal would do to another animal, it is not what a person should do to another person."
Victims' accounts
Cora, who was just 4ft 10ins and could barely speak due to her injuries, said: "They kicked me… I fought them back." Bruce admitted: "I didn't believe anyone could treat her so badly, so brutally - she is so tiny. But she's coming through it. We will do everything we can to help her."
Wilnelia explained that her antique-cut four-carat diamond gold engagement ring and gold wedding ring with baguette diamonds were both stolen, along with a Bulgari bracelet, an Ebel watch and a Chanel necklace. Money and credit cards were also taken from the property.
She told The Telegraph back in 2002 that a man entered her bedroom repeating "Put the telephone down", and she screamed, "Please don't hurt me!" Wilnelia feared she would be killed in the brutal attack, recalling: "The only thing I could say was, 'Don't hurt my baby' - I didn't know what had happened to JJ and I was so sure Cora was okay." She later chased after the men with a golf club to ensure they left the property.
Investigation and later incident
Detectives said the attack was not "targeted" but was instead an opportunistic break-in. It was not the only tragedy on Bruce's estate. In 2013, a family living in the Surrey mansion were awoken by a 6ft tall hooded raider dressed from head to toe in black and holding a gun. He took tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and cash from the Wentworth Estate.
Two adult women were forced to open the family safe at gunpoint, with a police spokesperson saying at the time: "A man, armed with a firearm, awoke the occupants and tied them up before demanding that one of the victims take him to the safe within the property. The female victim was repeatedly threatened by the offender."
