Paul Daniels’ son feared he’d lose stepmum Debbie McGee too after cancer scare
Martin Daniels feared his stepmum Debbie McGee might die after being diagnosed with breast cancer
MARTIN Daniels, the youngest son of magician Paul Daniels, says he feared he would lose stepmum Debbie McGee to cancer.
The former Strictly star found two lumps in her chest and was warned she might have to have a full mastectomy.
Speaking to the the 55-year-old revealed he was terrified he might lose his stepmum, three years after his dad Paul Daniels died of a brain tumour.
Debbie, 60, told Martin in October last year that doctors had discovered cancerous cells and he instantly feared the worst.
Martin, a magician just like his dad, said: “She didn’t want to worry me.
"She was concerned between the time she found the lump and until the tests came back.”
Last month Debbie revealed how she had undergone surgery to remove the lumps and said the cancer diagnosis had “scared her to death”.
The former magician's assistant was warned by doctors she might need to have a full mastectomy to get rid of all the cancerous cells and would need to have a skin graft taken from her thighs to heal the wound.
Calling herself the “luckiest person in the world”, Debbie and her family were over the moon when she was given the all clear.
Martin said: “Debbie’s strong. She had to be after losing Dad and she has used that strength to get through her cancer battle.”
Thanks to regular checks and mammograms the lumps in Debbie’s chest were discovered early.
Martin said his stepmum hopes to inspire others to check themselves and get tests regularly.
He said: “She said she was lucky because they found it early.
“Before the operation she said she was worried about the scarring and what it would look like.
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“Then when she had the dressing off she was happy it was just two stitches and minimal scarring.”
World-famous TV magician Paul, 77, passed away in 2016 from a brain tumour and Martin revealed it was Debbie who cared for him in his final days.
Martin said: “That’s the hardest thing she’s faced. She nursed my dad. We got him home from the hospital and she took care of everything in his final days.
“She went through a tough time after losing my dad.
“Who knows if that [Paul’s death] could have caused this cancer? She’s always looked after herself. She’s kept herself in shape. It just shows that anyone can get cancer.”
Martin is currently on a magic tour performing in Central America but plans to visit Debbie when he is back in the UK.
He said: “We’re still really close. I’ve known Debbie as long as my dad did. We were all in the same show. That was 40 years ago.
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