Debbie McGee reveals the day Prince Andrew flew Paul Daniels to a performance ‘in the Queen’s helicopter’
- Debbie McGee’s husband Paul Daniels took unexpected trip in royal helicopter
- Princess Anne offered Daniels a flight in the Queen’s helicopter after an event
- Prince Andrew flew Daniels from Stoke-on-Trent to Windsor Castle
- Royal source said if the story was true it did not involve the Queen’s helicopter
Not everyone has been delighted to see the Duke of York lately.
But Debbie McGee says her husband Paul Daniels certainly was – when Prince Andrew gave the magician a lift in the Queen’s helicopter when he was running late for a show.
Miss McGee, 61, said she and Daniels, who died aged 77 in 2016, had been at an event in Stoke-on-Trent attended by royalty.
Debbie McGee, 61, told the story of the time her husband Paul Daniels, who died aged 77 in 2016, took a surprise trip in the Queen’s helicopter after an event in Stoke-on-Trent
McGee said Prince Andrew, pictured in 1983 when he was a Navy helicopter pilot, flew the helicopter to Windsor while Daniels entertained Fergie with cards tricks in the lounge below
She revealed on her podcast Spill The Tea: ‘At the end of the day Paul ran to say goodbye to Princess Anne and said, “I’m really sorry I can’t stay for the party afterwards, it’s over-run by two hours and I’m meant to be on stage in an hour at the Savoy”.
‘Paul was doing a cabaret for a private party [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.’
She said Anne then asked Prince Edward to find his brother Andrew, adding: ‘Edward ran off, brought Prince Andrew back and [Princess 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 ahead 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. He got into his tuxedo in the back of it going along the M4. Then he got to the Savoy, walked on stage… and had a great night.’
Last night a royal source said: ‘If this story is true it did not involve one of Her Majesty’s helicopters.’