Paul Daniels dead: Wife Debbie McGee says magician did not know he was dying

McGee said the pair enjoyed a “fairytale” life together

Daniels with his wife Debbie McGee (PA)

Paul Daniels did not know he was dying in the final weeks of his life, his wife Debbie McGee has said.

Daniels, Britain's most famous magician, passed away at his home in Berkshire on Thursday just weeks after being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. The 77-year-old chose to spend his final days at home with his family and McGee, who he famously married 28 years ago when she was working as his onstage assistant.

In an emotional interview with the BBC, McGee said her last weeks with her husband were full of laughter, with Daniels cracking jokes shortly before passing away.

“Paul didn't know at all," she said. "The tumour was pressing on the part of the brain that processes information. So although he was talking and communicating and knowing who I was and everything, he actually wasn't taking in new information, which is actually quite hard to tell.

“On the day he was diagnosed the tumour had already spread so far that they knew he only had a few weeks to live. Then, in two days he deteriorated from feeling lethargic to having other symptoms, so he actually didn't really know what was going on."

McGee said the pair enjoyed a “fairytale” life together, flying around the world for his performances.

“I cried the whole night [after being told about the tumour] and then I said to myself, right. What would he do in this situation? Right, let’s go and find out from the doctors what we are going to do and then whatever time he has left, I’m going to make it the best time possible. And that’s what I did. He never saw me cry.”