Last night I watched the BBC BAFTA tribute to Bruce Forsyth. Sad, I know, but he is a celebrity of my era. I had a think and I cannot remember a time in my life when ‘Brucie’ has not been on TV.

A particular theme came out again and again in each of the tributes. Brucie was an all round talented man who had the respect of his colleagues. He was looked up to by all and others wanted to emulate his good practice, but could not. He was/is a natural who can sing, dance, compare, tell jokes and so on.

As I watched I asked the question- where is the next Bruce Forsyth? There is no other similar person ‘in the pipeline’, no other all rounder who people can look up to.

My thinking went wider as I think this is not only true of the entertainment world. I think, generally, my world, our world is getting poorer.

Where are the heroes of today in all fields?
Where are the next TV personality heroes to follow on from Brucie?
Where are the real musical heroes of today that will still be here in 20 years time like Elvis?
Where are the political heroes of today who campaign to make a difference since the likes of JFK or Churchill?
Where are the sports heroes of today who we are happy for our children to aspire to, such as Linekar, Redgrave or Holmes?
Where are our theological thinking heroes after the likes of Nouwen?
Where are our evangelistic heroes after the like of Billy Graham or David Watson?

The Stranglers asked the question many years ago – I just pogoed along and gave the lyrical question very little thought. If you forgot the track words I print them below to remind or educate you

Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky?
He got an ice pick
That made his ears burn

Whatever happened to dear old Lenny?
The great Elmyra, and Sancho Panza?
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?

Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?

No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more

Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?

No more heroes any more

No more heroes any more

The world is getting poorer for the lack of heroes to inspire us, people who will challenge us, individuals who will commit to the graft that it takes to make a difference in their chosen field.

Has our complacency and comfortable lives resulted in the death of the hero?
In the 21st Century western world I can see we need heroes to inspire more than ever.