Last year, she lost her beloved husband Paul Daniel to an incurable brain tumour.
And clearly the pain is still fresh for Debbie McGee, as she broke down on Saturday night’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing as she lovingly remembered the magician.
The 58-year-old radio presenter was emotional as she watched old videos of their relationship with dance partner Giovanni Pernice while also discussing her fond memories of the iconic TV star, who she married in .
Emotional: Debbie McGee, 58, broke down during Saturdays Strictly Come Dancing as she remembered her late husband Paul Daniels
While training for the Rhumba, Debbie took some time out to watch the old films, including one of her wedding to Paul in 1988. During her practice, she revealed: ‘I am really missing Paul. He would have encouraged me through this and been my support.’
As her and Giovanni watched the videos together she added: ‘Giovanni and I have really become mates so it was really nice to share my past with him.
Sitting together in Debbie’s house, partner Giovanni said: ‘He wasn’t just a magician he was…’, before the blonde beauty rounded out saying: ‘…a showman’
The pair hugged as Debbie broke down in the touching scenes, ahead of their emotional Rhumba in Saturday’s live show.
Sad times: Last year, she lost her beloved husband Paul Daniel to an incurable brain tumour
Reminisce: Debbie re-watched old videos of her and Paul this week, including the couples 1988 wedding
‘A showman:’ Debbie’s partner Giovanni watched the touching films with her, with Debbie breaking down as the ‘happy memories’
Legend: Debbie added:’He would have encouraged me through this and been my support’
Touching: Paul passed away in March 2016 from an incurable brain tumour
Debbie – Paul’s longtime magician’s assistant – married the performer in 1998 – enjoying 28 years of marriage before he died of a brain tumour in 2016.
She previously revealed, appearing on Strictly has been ‘a dream come true’, but it has also served as a kind of therapy. For she is still grieving the death of Paul, the man she describes as ‘the legend I was lucky enough to have as my husband’.
The famous magician died 19 months ago, just five weeks after being diagnosed with a massive brain tumour.
Debbie nursed him through that final month here in their riverside home, having breakfast under the weeping willows in the garden, eating ice creams together while they watched television, never letting him see her cry.
Amazing: Debbie took to the floor on Saturday with partner Giovanni, performing a rhumba to Baby Can I Hold You by Tracy Chapman
Stunning: The judges were wowed by Debbie’s performance, scoring her 27 out of 30
Love of her life: Debbie – Paul’s longtime magician’s assistant – married the performer in 1998 – enjoying 28 years of marriage before he died of a brain tumour in 2016
After performing the dance to Baby Can I Hold You by Tracy Chapman, the judges were wowed by her performance.
In Bruno Tonioli’s absence, fellow judge Craig Revel-Horwood gave his critique in the Italian’s typically outlandish style, throwing his arms about and falling off his chair.
Head judge Shirley Ballas added that the dance ‘was very emotional, I’ve lost a loved one so I know what it means, no bells or whistles. A classic Rhumba.’ Debbie scored 27 out of 30, topping the leaderboard.
Flexible: Fans have been stunned by Debbie’s performance this week, with one tweeting the star made her ‘well up’
Fabulous: Darcy Bussell added that this was Debbie’s ‘best dance’
Challenge: Debbie and Giovanni waited to hear the judges critiques
Hilarious: Craig Revel-Horwood decided to take note from absent judge Bruno Tonioli, giving an outlandish performance as his critique
Whoops! In typical Bruno style, Craig fell of his chair as the audience laughed in hysterics
Viewers were also won over by Debbie’s performance, sharing their love for her in a flurry of tweets, as well as prasing her bendy physique during the routine.
One posted: ‘Debbie McGee is just so damn elegant. I’m quite envious.’ Another wrote: ‘Debbie Mcgee has just made me well up about Paul Daniels?’
A third proclaimed: ‘Debbie McGee what a woman! I hope I look half as foxy as she does when I’m in my late 50s!’
Light-hearted: Bruno will be absent from Strictly this week due to work commitment, but Craig acted the Italian’s nature in hilarious fashion
Sensational: Debbie and Giovanni have been one of the strongest pairs in the competition, topping the leaderboard this week with their rhumba
What a woman! Fans praised the star on social media for her amazing performance