Strictly’s put magic back

EXCLUSIVE

WIDOWED Debbie McGee says she is finally showing the world what she is capable of in her star turn on Strictly Come Dancing.

The glamorous 58-year-old, assistant and wife of the late magician Paul Daniels, has surprised millions by taking this season by storm with a string of dazzling performances.

And despite being the oldest contestant she is now a favourite to win alongside her partner, Italian hunk Giovanni Pernice.

Her talent on the dance floor also proves she has more to offer than just being the “lovely Debbie McGee”, a woman who stood on stage in a leotard helping her husband perform illusions.

She said: “I was a magician’s assistant, a pretty young thing, and then I got older.

“Some people probably thought I was just this fluffy blonde who stood at the back during his shows and was not capable of achieving anything.

“But there’s a lot more to me. If anyone knew what I was capable of it was Paul but working with him I didn’t always show it. I have moments on Strictly where I could easily cry because if he were alive he would see exactly what he knew I could achieve.”

Paul, who died of a brain tumour aged 77 last year, met Debbie in 1979 during rehearsals for a seaside summer season. He was 40 and she was 20.

He said: “She had personality and life and presence. We dated a little but she was far too young. I said, ‘Those nasty people called journalists will shred you, call you a gold-digger. Find someone your own age’.” They married in 1988.

Debbie credits Strictly for putting the sparkle back into her life as she continues to come to terms with losing her beloved husband.

The besotted couple lived in a £2.5million mansion on the banks of the Thames near Reading, Berkshire. She said: “I still go home to an empty house and don’t have that special person to share it with. Paul and I used to talk all the time. He was my sounding block, my rock.

“At times I feel a bit insecure. That’s the hardest thing about losing a partner: Going home and not having someone to talk to. I miss the laughter. Whatever the situation Paul would make me laugh. Giovanni makes me laugh every day and that’s filling a big