Strictly star ‘didn’t recognise’ own wife in tragic moments before devastating death
Debbie McGee has opened up about the heartbreaking final moments of her husband's life, revealing that in his last days, he didn’t always recognise her. The star wrote about the tragic deterioration of her husband, beloved magician and entertainer Paul Daniels, who passed away in 2016 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, aged 77. Paul took part in 2010 series of Strictly, dancing with Ola Jordan.
Debbie followed in her late husband’s Strictly footsteps in 2017, just a year after Paul’s death, and was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, finishing as a finalist of that series and going on to win the Strictly Christmas Special in 2019.
Getting deeply emotional, Debbie, 65, shared how the illness rapidly took hold of Paul, describing how her once vibrant husband lost his spark and his memory in the weeks leading up to his death, sharing: “It is important to me to share his story because I want to help other people.”
READ MORE:I'm A Celeb star emotionally reveals final moments with mum before death - with devastating detail
READ MORE:Strictly star ordered to change appearance to be popular in astonishing moment years before show
Debbie remembered how, in his final moments, he collapsed on the bathroom floor, overwhelmed by confusion, unable to understand what was happening to him. In a heartfelt blog post for the Brain Tumour Research charity, she wrote: “I held him as he wept and asked me what was happening to him.”
Debbie and Paul were married for almost thirty years, having been together since the late 1970s, and meeting when Debbie was Paul’s magician’s assistant. But in 2016, their world was shattered. The first signs appeared subtly during Christmas time, when Debbie noticed her husband wasn’t his usual self, lacking energy and enthusiasm.
Paul’s diagnosis of an incurable grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme came as a massive shock, she reveals: "I was given the devastating news... he had a malignant and highly aggressive brain tumour. The tumour was so advanced that even basic tasks became impossible for him.
Debbie explains: “He had spent time in hospital but was so confused he didn’t really know what was going on. I am pleased to think that he knew me but, sadly, he didn’t always know where he was.”
She adds: “I held onto him as he managed to say: ‘What on earth is wrong with me?’ I just looked at him straight and said: ‘You’ve got a brain tumour Paul.’ He had been told before of course but I don’t think he was well enough to grasp it.”
In his final days, Debbie cared for her husband at their home by the River Thames. Despite the devastating prognosis, she ensured he would be comfortable and able to see family and friends. He passed away peacefully on March 17, 2016, with Debbie by his side.
Debbie, speaking candidly, adds: “I know in my heart that he is never coming back but I do think that when someone has been such a huge part of your life and you have shared so much with them, they never really leave you.”
