The magician Paul Daniels has died today aged 77, his publicist has said, just a few weeks after it was announced he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The TV star and entertainer left hospital 10 days ago in order to spend his final days at home with his family, his son Martin Daniels said at the time.

Britain's most famous magician, Daniels rose to international fame through his long-running BBC programme The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran from 1979 to 1994. He famously married his long-time assistant, Debbie McGee, in 1988.

In a statement, Daniels' agent said he had died in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday morning, "at home with Debbie at his side".

"Debbie and the family would like to thank everyone for their support and asks that their privacy be respected at this sad time," the statement read.

Born Newton Edwards Daniels in Middlesbrough in 1938, Daniels later said he became interested in magic as a young child - but only turned professional in 1969 with a summer season in Newquay.

Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels pictured holds playing cards, in London, 1977 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels in the 'Fall In, The Stars', 1977 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures British magician and entertainer Paul Daniels with a white rabbit in a hat, 1982 Getty Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels with his award and the magician's traditional top hat after being named Show Business Personality of 1981 by the Variety Club of Great Britain, 1982 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels with his girl dancers from his award-winning Montreux Show, 1985 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels conjuring up a festive pantomime for Boxing Day when he presents the fairy tale 'Snow White & the Seven Dwarves', 1985 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee on their wedding day in 1988 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels adopting the Marlene Dietrich look for an episode of his 'The Paul Daniels Magic Show' on BBC One, 1990 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels in 1993 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Magician Paul Daniels at a charity golf game in 1998 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels and wife Debbie McGee in 2007 PA Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels in London, 2010 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels, Debbie McGee and Donna Air at the Virgin Media Tivo Halloween horror quiz in London, 2011 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniles, Debbie McGee and Bradley Walsh in 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show' in 2013 7 Oct 2013 Paul Daniels: Life in pictures Paul Daniels in the 'Lorraine Live', 2014

The following year Daniels came second in talent show Opportunity Knocks, which led to him being offered a regular slot on the ITV variety show The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club.

Famous for his self-deprecating humour, his catchphrase was: "You'll like this... not a lot, but you'll like it."

In his later years, Daniels and his wife toured the country with magic and comedy shows, entertaining old fans and new generations alike with his skills.