Debbie McGee: Strictly has made me happy for first time since Paul’s death

DEBBIE MCGEE has said being a part of Strictly Come Dancing has made her “genuinely happy” for the first time since the death of husband Paul Daniels.

The 58-year-old TV and radio personality also shared her joy at the “connection” she and her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice have and how welcoming the stars on the BBC programme have been.

Magician Daniels died in March last year, and McGee told Christine Lampard on ITV’s Lorraine: “It really is the first time since I lost Paul that I actually feel genuinely happy.

Debbie McGee, Giovanni Pernice — Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice (BBC/Ray Burmiston/PA)

“I’m always giggling and having a good time, but until now there was still this knot in my stomach, and this kind of… Paul is there, the fact I’ve lost him.

“But the last three weeks on Strictly… everyone is so lovely on every level. I love all the other contestants, they make you feel so good and wanted.”

Susan Calman set to waltz on to screens as first Strictly dances and song choices revealed

On being partnered with Pernice, McGee said: “We are really plugged in. We have a connection.

“We feel really comfortable in each other’s company. There’s nothing that’s difficult. We’ve got the same sense of humour. We laugh a lot. We have the same work ethic, so we’re totally focused.

“We did a radio interview yesterday, he said, ‘the thing is, with Debbie, I look at her and she knows what I mean’, and I think that explains how well we get on. We’ve already melded together.”

So good to see and chat with you @clbleakley on @ITVLorraine earlier. You are so gorgeous ?x pic.twitter.com/zRYoi26mSd

— Debbie McGee (@thedebbiemcgee) September 21, 2017