Debbie McGee opened up to the Loose Women panel on Monday about being alone after the death of husband Paul Daniels
Debbie McGee joined Loose Women on Monday to discuss her latest TV project as she opened up on feeling lonely after the death of her husband and magician Paul Daniels.
The Strictly Come Dancing star visited Northern Ireland for the BBC ‘s B&B by the Sea but admitted she struggled at first with the idea of going on holiday on her own.
She told Denise Welch, Janet Street-Porter, Gloria Hunniford and host Kaye Adams : “One of the things I was a little bit concerned about is I’ve never holidayed on my own. I’ve got used to being on my own but I don’t choose it, it was thrust upon me.
“I’m so lucky I’ve got a close family, I’ve got lovely friends that invite me on holiday with them but I’ve never chosen to go on my own so I was a bit worried, although you’re with a film crew, of waking up and it just being me.”
“For all those years I always had my rock there, Paul, who woke me up with a joke most mornings so I wondered how I’d feel waking up in this place that was right out in the sticks really on my own.”
The Loose Women panel quizzed Debbie on how she has learnt to live with grief after the heartbreaking loss of her husband.
“What’s kept me going is how lucky I was to have him in my life,” she remarked.
The panelists went on to talk about how she pushed herself out of her comfort zone to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up in 2017.
Debbie married Paul, 21 years her senior, in 1988 ( Image:SWNS.com)
Paul died in 2016 aged 77 following a battle with brain cancer ( Image:Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The widow finished as a runner-up with Ballroom and Latin dancer Giovanni Pernice.
Reflecting on the experience, she revealed she was nervous to let people see the real her away from her late husband before praising the experience.
“People had just seen me as Paul’s sidekick and I allowed him to be the [centre of attention],” she added.
Meanwhile, Debbie previously admitted she hadn’t ruled out finding love again if the right person came along.
She told the How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams: ‘If I met somebody that I had real charisma with, then I’m not going to say no and push them away. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to live and I believe in enjoying every day as much as you can.
But until now I just haven’t met that person. So, if there’s somebody out there, I believe life will bring me to them at the right time, but I don’t feel there’s a void. I love my life so I’m just enjoying each day for what it brings me.”
Debbie McGee bravely shared her feelings of loneliness with the Loose Women panel, opening up about the challenges of being alone following the passing of her husband, Paul Daniels. During her appearance on the show to discuss her new TV project, B&B by the Sea, Debbie admitted that she had never holidayed alone before and was initially apprehensive about the idea.
Despite having a supportive family and friends who invite her on trips, she found herself facing the reality of waking up in a remote location all by herself.
Having lost her beloved husband, Paul, Debbie spoke candidly about coping with grief and how she holds onto the memories of their time together. She fondly recalled Paul as her rock, the one who would always wake her up with a joke, and expressed gratitude for the years they shared. The conversation turned to Debbie’s decision to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, a move that pushed her out of her comfort zone and allowed her to showcase her true self beyond being known as Paul’s sidekick.
Reflecting on her journey on the dance competition show, Debbie confessed to feeling nervous about revealing her authentic self without Paul by her side but ultimately found the experience rewarding.
Despite the challenges she faced, Debbie demonstrated resilience and a willingness to step into the spotlight on her own terms. Looking ahead, Debbie remains open to the possibility of finding love again, emphasizing the importance of living life to the fullest and being open to new connections if the right person comes along.
As Debbie continues to navigate life post-Paul, she inspires others with her courage and positive outlook. Her story serves as a reminder of the strength that lies within us to embrace change and seek happiness, even in the face of loss. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and valuable insights as we strive to bring you content that uplifts and empowers.
