MY TV LIFE
Debbie, 62, found fame as TV magician Paul Daniels’s assistant and later wife. Now a DJ and TV pundit, she came second in the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
What was your first TV memory?
Andy Pandy, followed by The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie which I was allowed to stay up late and watch with my mum. As a young girl, I loved books about girls at boarding school. I always wished I’d been sent to one.
Who was your first TV crush?
An actor called Tony Scannell, who was in The Bill and Family Affairs, was my first crush. I was 16 and he was a dashing Irish chap with a deep, sexy voice.
What was your first TV appearance?
On Roy Castle’s Record Breakers – I had to do a dance around the world’s most tattooed lady who was wearing a platinum bikini, the most expensive ever made. I was about 20. This was before everyone had tattoos – a trend I blame David Beckham for.
What is your favourite current show?
I really got into Terror. It was absolutely ridiculous but my sister and I were hooked. It was so different from anything I ever watch. But sadly the end was very disappointing.
Which TV show would you take to a desert island?
I feel I should say something quite intellectual like a historical documentary, but I’d probably take Hart To Hart with Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers to cheer me up.
What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?
Reality shows. All of them annoy me but probably Love Island. It’s “unreality” and I hate the whole psychological side of what they do to these people.
Guiltiest TV pleasure?
I watch Miss Marple and I love Midsomer Murders, it’s so easy to watch. I listen to Paul Temple and Lord Peter Wimsey on Radio 4 Extra too – that’s how I get off to sleep at night.
What are you up to at the moment?
I have a podcast called Spill The Tea With Debbie Mcgee and have guests like Andy Nyman, Joe Pasquale and Bonnie Langford. It’s in the itunes chart!
And I’ve got a one-woman show at The Mill at Sonning theatre on June 27.
● Spill The Tea With Debbie Mcgee is on Apple, Google and Spotify.