'For the first year of our marriage we stayed in': Debbie McGee admits cruel jibes over 20-year age gap with Paul Daniels turned her into a recluse... and reveals Strictly has helped her 'find happiness' after his tragic death
The smile is back following a series of consistently accomplished displays on the current series of Strictly Come Dancing.
But while Debbie McGee admits the BBC show helped rebuild the sense of well-being she lost following husband Paul Daniels’ death in 2016, she still bristles while recalling the criticism they faced after exchanging vows.
The couple were subject to cruel jibes over their 20-year age gap – former assistant Debbie was 29, while magician Paul was four days away from his 50th birthday when they married in April 1988 – and she admits the sneers initially turned her into a recluse.
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Opening up: Debbie McGee admits Strictly Come Dancing helped rebuild the sense of well-being she lost following husband Paul Daniels’ death in 2016, but she still bristles while recalling the criticism they faced after exchanging vows
She told the Daily Mirror: ‘For the first year after our marriage we stayed in. You got the odd jibe. It always hurt Paul more. He stood up for me, rung people up who wrote bad things… it was chemistry that brought us together. I can’t pinpoint one thing – but laughter.’
Debbie, now 59, was left devastated when Paul was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2015, after doctors initially thought he was suffering from an underactive thyroid.
The TV personality aided the magician at their Berkshire estate prior to his death aged 77 last March, and she admits losing her husband of 28-years left her in a dark place – until she signed up for Strictly.
Old times: The couple were subject to cruel jibes over their 20-year age gap – former assistant Debbie was 29, while magician Paul was four days away from his 50th birthday when they married in April 1988 – and she admits the sneers initially turned her into a recluse
‘When Paul died I completely lost my sparkle,’ she said. ‘I laughed but I wasn’t happy. Strictly has given me the clear feelings of happy back.’
Debbie, a trained dancer who once studied at the Iranian Ballet Company, reached the final with professional ballroom partner Giovanni Pernice, but narrowly lost the coveted Glitter Ball Trophy to eventual winner Joe McFadden.
But while Paul wasn’t able to watch her performances, she admits he was still a huge motivation during her journey to the grand finale.
Well done: Debbie, a trained dancer who once studied at the Iranian Ballet Company, reached theStrictly Come Dancing final with professional ballroom partner Giovanni Pernice, but narrowly lost the coveted Glitter Ball Trophy to eventual winner Joe McFadden
‘I felt Paul was with me the whole time,’ she said. ‘When I walked down to the studio floor there was always a moment I thought of him. I could imagine if Paul was alive and watching, he would give me notes.’
Debbie stunned judges with her 'ethereal' performance to One Day I'll Fly Away by Vaults and she scooped a near-perfect score of 38 out of 40.
But viewers at home were left fuming as they claimed she had drew on her Ballet School training to put on a sensational ballet-inspired showdance.
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