Debbie McGee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Debbie McGee
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McGee at Wicked 10th Birthday 2016
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Debra Ann McGee
31 October 1958 Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England
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| Occupation | Radio presenter and magician's assistant |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
Debra Ann McGee (born 31 October 1958) is a well-known English performer. She has worked in television, radio, and on stage. Many people know her as the assistant and wife of the famous magician Paul Daniels.
Debbie McGee was also a talented ballet dancer. For three years, she even led her own ballet company. Today, she hosts a Sunday morning radio show for BBC Radio Berkshire. In 2017, she was a finalist on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. She also won the Christmas Special of the show in 2019. You might also have seen her as a regular guest on the TV show Loose Women.
Early Life and Magic Career
Growing Up in Surrey
Debbie McGee was born on 31 October 1958. Her birthplace was Kingston upon Thames in Surrey, England. Her parents were Patrick McGee and Lillian Howes. She has two younger siblings, a sister named Donna and a brother named Robert. When Debbie was young, her parents ran a small corner shop. Later, her father worked for a company that made gold rings and other jewelry.
Becoming a Ballet Dancer
Debbie went to Our Lady Immaculate RC Primary School. Then she attended Tolworth Girls' School. At 16, Debbie tried out for the Royal Ballet School. She was accepted and studied there. After finishing her training, she joined the Iranian National Ballet Company in Tehran. By age 19, she was a part of the main dance group. She later became a soloist, performing on her own.
A New Path: Meeting Paul Daniels
Debbie's ballet career ended suddenly because of the Iranian Revolution. She had to leave Iran quickly and returned to the UK with very little. She looked for new work and auditioned for the Bernard Delfont Organisation. This company put on many big summer shows.
In 1979, Delfont found her a job. She would perform on stage with the magician Paul Daniels. Their show was at the Britannia Pier Theatre in Great Yarmouth. Debbie met Paul Daniels on 23 May 1979. They met during rehearsals for the show in London.
Joining the Magic Show
After her first summer with Paul Daniels, Debbie joined another dance group. She toured Europe with famous acts. She then worked in a pantomime show during winter. In 1980, she joined Paul Daniels again for his summer show in Bournemouth.
Later, she performed in his London stage show called It's Magic. This show opened in December 1980. It ran for 14 months, becoming the longest-running magic show in London's West End.
TV Fame with Paul Daniels
Debbie McGee became famous around the world through her TV appearances with Paul Daniels. A BBC producer saw her on stage. He asked her to appear in The Paul Daniels Magic Show on BBC1. This show started in 1979 and continued until 1994. It was very popular, with 15 million viewers in the UK. The show was also sold to 43 other countries.
Paul Daniels often called Debbie "The lovely Debbie McGee" on his shows. This phrase became very well-known. It became a common way to describe a magician's assistant. Debbie and Paul were married in Buckinghamshire in April 1988.
A Magician Herself
In October 1991, Debbie McGee became one of the first female magicians to join The Magic Circle. This is a special group for British professional magicians. To celebrate, she performed a magic trick on TV. Paul Daniels acted as her assistant, "The Lovely Paul." He was not allowed to speak during her performance.
In 2017, Debbie won the Magic Circle's Maskelyne award. This award is for "services to British Magic." Her husband, Paul Daniels, had received the same award in 1988.
Personal Life
Hobbies and Health
Debbie McGee enjoys playing golf in her free time. She has played in many golf events to help raise money for charity.
In January 2019, Debbie shared that she had faced breast cancer in 2018. She had a small surgery and was given the all-clear. This means she was healthy again.
Other Work and Appearances
Dance Company and Radio
In 2000, Debbie McGee and Paul Daniels started a ballet company. It was called Ballet Imaginaire. They wanted to produce ballet shows and tour them around the country. Debbie wanted to fulfill her dream of producing ballet.
Since 2008, Debbie has hosted a regular Sunday morning show. You can hear her on BBC Radio Berkshire from 9 AM to noon. In 2004, she presented a radio documentary for BBC Radio 4. It was called Box Jumpers and was about magician's assistants.
Television Highlights
Debbie McGee has appeared in many TV shows. In 2001, she and Paul Daniels were featured in a documentary. It was called When Louis Met... Paul and Debbie. This show was on BBC Two and later on Netflix.
In 1995, Debbie appeared on The Mrs Merton Show. The host, Mrs Merton, asked Debbie a famous joke question. This joke later became known as one of Britain's best one-liners. Debbie has said that this appearance helped her become even more famous.
Debbie also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Her dance partner was Giovanni Pernice. They danced their way to the final of the competition. She also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017. In December 2019, she was on the quiz show Tenable All Stars for a Christmas special.
Other Activities
Debbie McGee has worked with her husband Paul Daniels in many places around the world. She also wrote a cookery and party book. It was called Dine with Debbie.
In 2006, Debbie and her friend Sue Simons started a modeling agency. It was called Debbie McGee Models. Debbie is also known for her work with dogs.
See also
In Spanish: Debbie McGee para niños
