Paul Daniels’ family do not know how long the magician will live after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, his son has revealed.
The entertainer is sticking to his belief that when “it’s your time it’s your time” as he spends his last days at home surrounded by his family, Martin Daniels told The Sunday Mirror.
(Ian West/PA)
The 77-year-old fell at home and was rushed to hospital in February, suspected of suffering a stroke, although he was later diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, his son said.
“There’s no treatment which can help him. Doctors haven’t said how many weeks or months he might have – and we haven’t asked.
“He knows things are not in his hands now and we are living in the knowledge every day is a bonus.
“It is unbearably difficult. He has said before when ‘it’s your time it’s your time’ and that’s how he is trying to face up to things.”
Paul with wife Debbie (Joel Ryan/PA)
Martin, 52, who is a magician himself, had to cut short a tour in Argentina after receiving a call from his father’s wife and assistant Debbie McGee, 57.
The entertainer remained upbeat while undergoing tests in hospital that later revealed he had a “rapidly growing” brain tumour, his son said.
“A couple of days after I arrived to see dad in hospital he was up and walking about trying to cheer up all the other patients.
“He said to me, ‘right, I am going to have a wander round now and see if everyone is all right’.
“He went round the beds saying hello, making jokes. He sat at the nurses’ stations. He was doing a little ditty by the door to the ward saying, ‘roll up, roll up, visiting time is over folks’."
Martin revealed that following his diagnosis, Paul made the decision to return to his home in Berkshire, where Debbie has been by his side.
"He's happy there - some days he is tired and spends most of his time in bed dozing. But even then he is happy," he said, adding Paul was "lucid" and the family were moved by the support from fans.
"We are very grateful and all of us are genuinely touched. It is giving us tremendous strength at what is a very difficult time."
Paul's TV career began with an appearance on talent series Opportunity Knocks in 1970.
He went on to front the BBC's Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran for 15 years, and became one of the biggest stars on British TV.
