Paul Daniels’ wife, Debbie McGee, has thanked fans for their “wonderful messages” in the wake of the magician’s diagnosis with terminal cancer.
The 77-year-old fell at home and was rushed to hospital suspected of suffering a stroke, although he was later diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, his son has said.
Paul Daniels (Ian West/PA)
Debbie wrote on Twitter: “Paul and I had no (idea) of how people felt. Truly amazing. Thank you.”
I wish I could answer all your wonderful messages individually but there are so many. They are all appreciated so much. Paul and I had no
— Debbie McGee (@thedebbiemcgee) March 7, 2016
Cont: of how people felt. Truly amazing. THANK YOU
— Debbie McGee (@thedebbiemcgee) March 7, 2016
Paul’s son, Gary Daniels, one of his three children by his first wife Jacqueline Skipworth, has also been calling his father with messages of support.
My youngest Stepson Gary has phoned everyday since his Dad took ill and he has now lost his voice. Missing your calls so get better soon xxx
— Debbie McGee (@thedebbiemcgee) March 7, 2016
Another of the entertainer’s sons, Martin Daniels, said the family do not know how long his father has left.
He told the Sunday Mirror: “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.
Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee in 1992 (Martin Keene/PA)
“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.”
Martin, 52, who is a magician himself, had to cut short a tour in Argentina after receiving a call from Debbie, 57.
Paul Daniels (Suzanne Hubbard/PA)
The entertainer remained upbeat while undergoing tests in hospital which 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’.
Ola Jordan and Paul Daniels on Strictly Come Dancing 2010 (John Wright/BBC)
“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’.”
Paul, who is said to be “lucid”, is now at his Thames-side home surrounded by his family, said his son, adding that the support of his fans had given them “tremendous strength at what is a very difficult time”.
