Duke of York ‘gave lift to Paul Daniels in royal helicopter’

THE Duke of York flew Paul Daniels to a show in the Queen’s helicopter, the late magician’s widow has revealed.

Debbie Mcgee, the late magician’s widow, told of the royal intervention to make sure Daniels got to London’s Savoy Hotel on time, and how after landing, he was driven to the venue in the Queen’s limousine.

Mcgee, 61, said she and Daniels, who died aged 77 in 2016, had been at an event attended by members of the Royal family in Stoke-on-trent, Staffs.

On her podcast, Spill the Tea, she said: “At the end, Paul ran to say goodbye to Princess Anne, and said, ‘I’m really sorry I can’t stay for the party. It’s overrun by two hours, and I’m meant to be on stage in an hour at the Savoy’.

“So Princess Anne said, ‘Have you got someone to drive your car back to London?’ and Paul said ‘Yes I have, of course’. That was muggins, me. And she said, ‘Well, hold on a minute’, and went ‘Edward!’ And, obeying his elder sister, Edward went, ‘Yes?’

“She said, ‘Can you go and get Andrew?’ So Edward ran off, brought Prince Andrew back and [Princess

‘I waved them off with Prince Andrew piloting, and Fergie in the lounge with Paul doing card tricks’

Anne] said, ‘Have you still got the Queen’s helicopter?’ He said, ‘Yes’ and she said, ‘Well, go and get it ready. You’re going to fly Mr Daniels back to Windsor Castle. I’ll phone, and get a car ready. He’s got to be at the Savoy’.

“I waved them off on the helicopter pad with Prince Andrew piloting it, and Fergie in the lounge with Paul below, where Paul I think did card tricks all the way to Windsor Castle.

“When he got there, she’d not only just organised a car, it was the Queen’s car with the royal standard flag on the front – the stretch limo. Then he got to the Savoy, walked on stage and said, ‘You won’t believe where I’ve been,’ and, of course, had a great night.”