Stars and celebs pay heartfelt tribute to the late Paul Daniels

Magician Paul Daniels gazes into his crystal ball at the Special Magician's Screening of The Illusionist at the Soho Hotel in central London. (Image credit: PA WIRE)

Actors, celebrities and fellow magicians have rushed to pay tribute to the late Paul Daniels, the TV magician who entertained the UK for decades.

Paul died today, aged 77, from brain cancer, a diagnosis that was made public in late February.

His loss has been felt widely, not least by the Magic Circle. Magician Dynamo posted a picture of himself with Paul and said he was 'devastated' by his death.

Devastated to hear that Paul Daniels has passed. A giant of the entertainment world who will be sadly missed. RIP pic.twitter.com/eS3B3iEFJd

— Dynamo (@Dynamomagician) March 17, 2016

 

Former EastEnders star Michelle Collins recalled a fun time with him on a show in the 1990s...

Have very funny , warm memories of being in Belfast in the early 90 s on the #kellyshow with Paul Daniels we all had a lot of fun nice man .

— Michelle Collins (@missmcollins) March 17, 2016

 

Actress Keeley Hawes fondly recalled working with him on Comic Relief.

RIP Paul Daniels. Had the pleasure of working with him and his lovely wife Debbie on a Comic Relief sketch...thoughts are with his family. X

— Keeley Hawes (@Misskeeleyhawes) March 17, 2016

 

Piers Morgan put it simply: 'A great entertainer."

RIP Paul Daniels.

A great entertainer. pic.twitter.com/uBkK6NmlJl

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 17, 2016

 

Louis Theroux, who made a memroable documentary with Paul and his wife Debbie McGee, remembered him as a 'thoughtful skeptic... and gifted magician'.

RIP Paul Daniels, a thoughtful skeptic, enemy of hucksterism and paranormal flimflam, and gifted magician. My condolences to his family.

— Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) March 17, 2016

 

Rock star Rick Wakeman said he was 'so sad at so many friends passing away... Paul Daniels and Debbie were great friends'.

I am so sad at so many friends passing away. Paul Daniels and Debbie were great friends & a wonderful couple. I shall miss Paul greatly.

— Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) March 17, 2016

 

Inside No.9 star Reece Shearsmith said Paul's magic shows were a 'huge joyous part of childhood'.

RIP Paul Daniels. His magic shows were a huge joyous part of childhood.

— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) March 17, 2016

 

Ex EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison...

Loving wishes and thoughts sent to the family and friends of Paul Daniels . Magic of an era .. Sad day

— Cheryl Fergison (@cherylfergison1) March 17, 2016

 

Paul Daniels, 1938 - 2016. Rest in peace

Magician Paul Daniels gazes into his crystal ball at the Special Magician's Screening of The Illusionist at the Soho Hotel in central London. (Image credit: PA WIRE)

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.