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Debbie McGee says she feels sexier than ever as she approaches 60
The glamorous 59-year-old widow of the late conjurer Paul Daniels has wowed viewers with her suppleness and seductiveness as she continues to prove that age is just a number.
Her sultry performances – and gravity-defying leg flicks – have seen her labelled a sex symbol and shown a saucy side to someone who was always known as “the lovely Debbie McGee” during her decades as a magician’s assistant.
Despite being the oldest contestant left in the competition she is now odds-on favourite to win alongside her professional partner, Italian hunk Giovanni Pernice.
And in a statement of intent she revealed how she imagines herself clutching the glitter ball trophy.
I love hearing all the wonderful things being said about me
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Debbie said: “I am going through a wonderful renaissance and I don’t think I could wish for anything more at my time of life.
“I don’t think anyone thinks of themselves as a sex symbol, but I love hearing all the wonderful things being said about me.
“I have always felt sexy – I had a husband who told me I was sexy every day for 30 years.
“I get upset that we have to say we are not sexy and behave ourselves – it’s something about being British – French women are considered sexy until the day they die.
“It’s just a state of mind and all about confidence.”
Tonight, Debbie and Giovanni will attempt to launch themselves a step closer to the final when they dance an American Smooth to Memory from the musical Cats.
The couple are 9/4 with bookmakers to win the Grand Final on December 16 in what would make her the oldest winner in the show’s history.
She said: “I had [Hearsay singer] Suzanne Shaw on my radio show recently and I asked her how she got over her nerves on Dancing on Ice and she said she tried to imagine herself with the trophy, so that’s what I do: I imagine myself holding the glitter ball.
BBC
McGee is odds-on favourite to win alongside her professional partner, Italian hunk Giovanni Pernice
“Everyone has their eye on the final. If I didn’t think I could win Strictly I don’t think I could go out there every Saturday and do what I am doing and put in the performances I have.
“I would be delirious if I won, but you have to take whatever life throws at you.”
Paul, who died of a brain tumour aged 77 in 2016, met Debbie in 1979 during rehearsals for a summer season.
He was 40 and she was 20. The couple married in 1988.
During her time as his assistant Debbie said people probably thought of her as a “fluffy blonde who stood at the back during his magic shows and was not capable of achieving anything”.
But her star turn on Strictly has put them right about that.
She said: “People ask me ‘how on earth do you get your legs up there?’ and it’s stretching, pure and simple.
“At the end of the day I can hardly walk, but it doesn’t occur to me that I am nearly 60 because I am feeling more flexible than I have in years.
“I thought that by the time you reach my age everything stiffens up and there is no hope but I have surprised myself. I feel fantastic.
“I hope I am inspiring people and helping them realise that you really don’t have to sit still once you reach a certain age.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2017 in pictures
Sun, November 26, 2017
Strictly Come Dancing 2017: See Charlotte Hawkins, Ruth Langsford, Debbie McGee, Gemma Atkinson and more celebs waltz their way to victory on the BBC dance show.
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Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez did the rumba to Halo by Beyonce
While Giovanni, 27, has pushed Debbie to the limit she said talk of a relationship – or frequent bust-ups during training – was nonsense.
She said: “I have never had a meltdown. I am stubborn but I don’t have tantrums because I am an old school show business professional.
“Even if I am exhausted I will keep going until the job is done. Giovanni and I have never fallen out.
“He pushes me, of course, but we get on so well and make each other laugh all the time.
“Giovanni and I have the most wonderful relationship. Training is not easy, it’s exhausting, but I have never felt this full of energy.”
• Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight at 7.05pm on BBC One
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