One of Britain's most famous magicians, he died this morning


Paul Daniels's tearful wife has paid an emotional tribute to her husband, describing how their 'fairytale' life was 'full of laughter' and how he was still 'laughing, joking and singing the Beatles' just hours before he died.

Debbie McGee, who was by her husband's side when he passed away this morning, said the 77-year-old spent his last days at their Thameside home in Berkshire eating 'lots of' Magnum in the sunshine - his favourite ice cream - and watching quiz shows.

Speaking for the first time since his death was announced, Ms McGee - who met Daniels when she was the assistant on his hit magic show - said the couple had enjoyed the marriage that 'everyone dreams of' and had stayed side-by-side sharing jokes until the end.

Wiping away tears, she told the BBC: 'Our life has been full of laughter and that's what it has been the last few weeks - up until the last 48 hours when he slipped into a sleep.'

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Paul Daniels's tearful wife Debbie McGee paid an emotional tribute to her husband in her first interview since his death, describing how their 'fairytale' life was 'full of laughter' and how he was still 'laughing, joking and singing the Beatles' just hours before he died

In a tearful interview about her husband (left and together right), she said the couple had enjoyed the marriage that 'everyone dreams of' and had stayed side-by-side sharing jokes until the end

Daniels passed away early this morning, with Ms McGee at his side. The star, who was fighting a brain tumour, had chosen to spend his final weeks at their home in Wargrave, near Reading, telling his son: 'When it's your time, it's your time'.

Describing how the couple dealt with Daniels's sudden illness, Ms McGee said she 'cried the whole night' when he was first diagnosed. But she said she vowed to make his final days 'the best time possible' - and never allowed him to see her cry.

She said: 'I said to myself: "OK, what would he do in this situation?" And I said: "OK, let's go and find out from the doctors what we're going to do", and then "whatever time he's got left I'm going to make it the best time possible”.

'And that's what I did - he never saw me cry. I smiled, I put my make up on and did my hair every day. I got him home and I looked after him for about ten days on my own.

'So we sat out here because the weather's been a lot like this. His favourite ice cream was Magnums - we had a lot of Magnums sitting out here. We went in and watched Bradley Walsh on The Chase every day at 5pm because Paul and I love Bradley, and that made us laugh every day.'

She added: 'Even minutes before he sipped into that sleep he was smiling at me and joking and singing Beatles songs.

'I had a letter yesterday from a lady who had met us, and she said "the thing is Debbie, you had a marriage that everyone dreams of". I did.'

Ms McGee, who married Daniels in 1988, said the main qualities which attracted her to her husband were his humour and his 'unselfish' way of celebrating other talent.

She continued: 'We always joked with each other and laughed every day - but when I first met him the thing that really, really attracted me to him was I'd worked with quite a lot of top performers and when I started working with Paul we had other acts on the live show - he would say "come and look at them".

‘He loved people with talent - he was really unselfish and would always say well if there's somebody on my show that's good, the audience will go home and say "did you see that fantastic act on The Paul Daniels Show?"’

Earlier today, Paul Daniels's son Martin revealed how a shooting star had passed over the magician's home just moments after his father had died, adding: 'What an exit'

In an emotional tribute, Martin Daniels (pictured with his father and Ms McGee at their wedding), also a magician, said the bright meteor (right) had flashed through the sky in the picturesque Berkshire village of Wargrave, near Reading, almost immediately after his father died

She added that he was hugely admired in their village and loved nothing more than spending time with fellow residents.

'Yes, he did television shows and people knew who he was and he did shows for royalty. We flew around the world - we had a fairytale life and we were so happy together,' she said.

'But Paul, if he was in the queue in the post office, he was either doing tricks on them or making them all laugh. And he was as happy doing that as he was walking on stage at the Palladium or doing a TV show.

'He loved people - he was interested in everybody, and if you talk to anyone in our village, they all adored him - and he just wanted to make people not just be happy, he wanted to make people feel special.’

Her emotional tribute came after Daniels's son Martin, who followed his father into the entertainment world, described how a bright meteor had flashed through the sky in the couple's picturesque village, almost immediately after his father died.

Leading the tributes to his father, Martin Daniels wrote: 'My dad passed away and meteor flashes in the sky. What an exit.'

His son Gary Daniels also posted a tribute to his father, using a picture of a rabbit in a magician's black hat with a tear it its eye. Outside the hat was an Ace of Hearts playing card with the heart broken. He added: 'It is with incredible sadness that I can confirm that Dad, Paul Daniels, passed away over night.'

This morning, a private ambulance arrived at Daniels's home in Wargrave, Berkshire, to take away the magician's body

Daniels's son Gary announced the news on Twitter this morning, tweeting this message with a picture of a tearful rabbit appearing from a hat. Tommy Cannon (right) posted a picture of a host of entertainers and described him as an 'absolute legend'

A number of stars took to Twitter this morning to paid tribute to Daniels, including Amanda Holden, Arlene Phillips, Paul Chuckle, Keith Chegwin and Louis Theroux. Scott Penrose, chairman of the magic circle, tweeted that it was a sad day for the magic world

Daniels, pictured at home with his wife Debbie McGee, who worked with him throughout much of his career. She cared for him for ten days before he died and was at his side when he passed away

Meanwhile, Daniels's 24-year-old nephew James Phelan, who also became a magician, praised his uncle for inspiring 'a whole generation of magicians'.

‘There is so much inspiration that I have drawn from his career - and it's not just me personally, he has inspired a whole generation of magicians,' he told Sky News.

MAGICIAN'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS The Paul Daniels Magic Show: Presented by Daniels with the help of his glamorous assistant - and later wife - Debbie McGee, it featured magic tricks and the popular 'Bunko Booth', in which Daniels exposed the confidence tricks of street performers.

Odd One Out: This weekly quiz show ran from 1982 to 1985 and was Daniels' first foray into presenting.

Iron Maiden Illusion: The magician sparked panic among his fans when he faked his own death in a live Halloween special aired in 1987. Some 11,000 people phoned the BBC fearing the magician had been killed, and Daniels had to make an appearance between programmes reassuring the public that he was indeed alive.

Wizbit: With its catchy theme tune and offbeat characters, Wizbit has become something of a cult classic. Narrated by Daniels, the show is set in Puzzleopolis - a magical town of walking, talking sponge-balls, dice, magic wands, rabbits and playing cards.

In what quickly became a classic one-liner, television host Mrs Merton famously asked Debbie McGee in 1995: 'So, what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?' Advertisement

'It makes it very difficult for us to be too sad when there is such a celebration of love and joy from all directions.'

The tributes came as family members were seen at his home, where a private ambulance was seen taking the magician away. Celebrities and other figures from the world of showbusiness also praised the magician's impact on the world of entertainment, with TV presenter Keith Chegwin writing: 'We've lost a magic man.'

It was announced last month that Daniels - known for his catchphrase 'You’ll like this ... not a lot, but you’ll like it' - wowing TV audiences with his magic tricks and humour on The Paul Daniels Magic Show, had terminal brain cancer.

Martin Daniels later said that the star fell at home in February and was rushed to Royal Berkshire Hospital suspected of having suffered a stroke. However, after tests were carried out by doctors, he was later diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Ms McGee worked alongside him as an assistant during his career and, earlier this month, she thanked fans for their 'wonderful messages' of support.

She wrote on Twitter: 'I wish I could answer all your wonderful messages individually but there are so many. They are all appreciated so much. Paul and I had no (idea) of how people felt. Truly amazing. Thank you.

Speaking earlier this month, Martin Daniels - one of three sons from the entertainer's first marriage - said the family did not know how long his father had left.

He said: 'There's no treatment which can help him. Doctors haven't said how many weeks or months he might have - and we haven't asked.

'He knows things are not in his hands now and we are living in the knowledge every day is a bonus. It is unbearably difficult. He has said before "When it's your time, it's your time" and that's how he is trying to face up to things.'

Tributes have poured in from around the world of entertainment and magic, with fellow stars saying he was one of a kind and 'an inspiration'.

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden tweeted: 'RIP Paul Daniels. He was a trail blazer for magic and will be missed love to Debbie McGee and family X'

Fellow TV presenter Keith Chegwin tweeted: 'We have lost a lovely, kind and MAGIC man Paul Daniels. Love you and thinking of you, Debbie McGee. I shall miss him 'A LOT'.'

Louis Theroux, who made a fly-on-the wall documentary about Daniels and his wife, said: 'RIP Paul Daniels, a thoughtful skeptic, enemy of hucksterism and paranormal flimflam, and gifted magician. My condolences to his family.'

Magician Scott Penrose, who was proposed as president of the Magic Circle by Daniels, told MailOnline today: 'You'll never see another magician like him quite frankly.

Daniels became a favourite of audiences around the country in the 1970s, 80s and 90s with his TV magic show. He worked into his seventies

His wife Debbie, pictured with him in 1983, had worked alongside him as a magician's assistant throughout his career

Daniels pictured with his two sons Paul Junior (right) and Martin (left) in 1981. He had three sons with his first wife, Jacqueline Skipworth

'If you cast your mind back to the height of his career he was getting 20million viewers watching his show. You'll never see a magician attaining a record like that.

'He was a great all-round performer - he was an entertaining magician in so far as he was very funny, but he was a very talented magician as well. He was a great thinker of magic. He was an inspiration to not just my generation of magicians but probably the ones before and the generation after.

'He inspired so many. He was just a great all-round magician and everybody just loved him. He was amazing. The magic world has lost a friend, and I've lost a friend.'

Magician Dynamo also praised Daniels, saying he had taken 'so much inspiration' from his acts and that he was 'devastated' by the news.

FANS REMEMBER BOX OF TRICKS WHICH BROUGHT MAGIC TO THOUSANDS OF BRITISH HOMES One of Daniels's legacies will be his magic box sets, which were a hit with children across Britain who wanted to emulate his tricks in front of their friends and families. Among those remembering them today were author Mikey Walsh, who tweeted of his box: 'When I thought I could have people running in fear from my awesome magical powers .' Film reviewer Nick de Semlyen added: 'Wonder how many people, like me, put magic shows on for their families using the Paul Daniels trick set. My finale: lifting ice with string.' Advertisement

The Bradford-raised entertainer said: 'Paul was truly a giant of the entertainment world who really defined magic for over 20 years.

'As a working-class magician from the North, he was personally a huge inspiration for me and I know that he has inspired countless magicians around the world and will forever be known as one of the all-time greats. He's a magic legend to me.’

Top TV producer Johnny Hamp, who gave Daniels his big break after spotting his star qualities in the 70s, said he was 'probably the best magician this country's ever produced.'

'It's very sad, It's happened so quickly, it's unbelievable,' he said. 'It was expected, but I didn't think it was going to be so fast. I feel choked about it.'

He added: 'A lot of people said he was difficult to work with, but I always found him great; a good friend. I think it was because he was a perfectionist. He was meticulous about all his props, and people treated them with care.

'He used to play all sorts of tricks on the stagehands.'

Mark Linsey, acting director of BBC Television said: 'Paul was an outstanding showman and one of the great entertainers of BBC television.

'His long-running magic show delighted viewers, as did his BBC One quiz shows Odd One Out, Wipeout and Every Second Counts and children's favourite Wizbit. He will be missed and our thoughts are with his family.'

Before his death, Daniels encouraged members of the public to donate money for research into cancer and a gofundmepage to raise funds was set up by his son Gary.

A message on Daniels' official Twitter page said: 'If everyone donated just £1 we could give over £56000 to charity, this is to help others, not me.'

Since his death was announced, donations have been flooding in with £5,000 now raised. The proceeds will be split between The Brain Tumour Research.Org, The Royal Berkshire Hospital Charity, The Grand Order of Water Rats and the Royal Theatrical Fund.

Over the years, Daniels lent his time and support to various charities, often entertaining children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Last year, he supported the Garden Re-Leaf appeal, which aimed to raise funds to support families who use children's hospices around the UK.

Daniels has lived in the £2.5million home in Wargrave where he died since he and Ms McGee bought it together in 1998.

It was devastated by flooding from the River Thames in 2003 but survived more flooding in 2014 after they carried out major protective works including having floodgates and pumps installed.

Friend and singer Vince Hill, a neighbour to Daniels and his wife, who sung the worldwide hit Edleweiss, said: 'He was the most brightest of sparks and a true magician and a fantastic neighbour. He will be sorely missed by showbusiness as well as his friends and family.

'He was an oddball character but delightfully so. He was very smart and very clever.'

Jayne Worral, who works at his local pub The Bull in Wargrave, said she had known the entertainer for more than 40 years and that he had always been down-to-earth.

She first met him when he performed as part of the cabaret circuit at the Apollo Hotel in St Helier, Jersey, in 1972, where she worked for a car hire company.

Daniels, pictured (left) performing a trick in 1981, worked well into his seventies and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010

Daniels appeared on the Ali G in 2001, dressed as the comedian, to be interviewed by Caroline Aherne in her Mrs Merton guise

FROM DISAPPEARING MONEY TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS STUCK IN CHAIRS, PAUL DANIELS'S GREATEST TRICKS Paul Daniels was known for his charismatic performances, involving a string of magic tricks which wowed his audience. Scott Penrose, chairman of the magic circle, today described how his greatest tricks were ones that he performed throughout his whole career, from the days when he toured around the working men's clubs. He told MailOnline: 'When he performed on TV, he changed things up. But, before he became an overnight success, Paul had been cutting his teeth in a harsh environment for years. His best tricks were one that he did throughout his whole career, because he did them week in, week out.' Mr Penrose said Daniels's act was more than just a series of one-off tricks, but said he had a few stand-out illusions he repeatedly performed throughout his career: The Chop Cup: A different take on the classic 'cups and balls' trick, the Chop Cup was Daniels's favourite trick and involved using one cup and one ball to perform a series of appearances and vanishes. His most common trick would be to lift up the cup, and reveal a piece of fruit in place of the ball. Mr Penrose said: 'If you'd booked him 20 years ago, he would have performed you the Chop Cup. And if you've booked him before Christmas, he would also have performed the chop cup. It was his signature trick.' Electric chairs: In this routine, Daniels would line up a row of chairs and get members of the audience to sit on them - before they became stuck and were unable to move. He would eventually release them. Borrowed money: Daniels would borrow money off an audience member, usually a £10 note, before it would vanish. He would then show the audience a lemon, from which he would pull out an egg. He would then crack the egg, to reveal a walnut. Inside the walnut would be the £10 note. Advertisement

Mrs Worral said: 'They gave me a free ticket for one night. I was completely mesmerised by him and thinking "how does he do it?" One trick gelled into another. I went every night for two weeks and I watched him like a hawk.

'I remember saying to him "if I don't see your name in lights, I want to know why". One day I was reading the Radio Times and I saw this name Paul Daniels and thought "it has to be him", and it was."

They remained in contact and coincidentally both moved to the Thameside village of Wargrave in 1998.

Mrs Worral said: 'The nice thing about Paul is that fame and fortune didn't change him at all. He didn't play out a role - "I'm Paul Daniels". What you saw on TV, that was Paul. He never sought attention, he'd have a quiet meal with his family. He was an ordinary guy, a boy done good.

'Debbie McGee, my heart goes out to her big time. They weren't just husband and wife, they were soulmates.'

Steven Lee, 42, who wrote the play Don't Dribble On The Dragon, which was the last show Daniels ever worked on, said the star had 'tremendous enthusiasm.'

Mr Lee, of Guildford, Surrey, said: 'We hope Don't Dribble On The Dragon will be a tribute to his amazing legacy.

'This was the absolute last thing he did. It is humbling.'

He added: 'Paul Daniels had tremendous enthusiasm and endless energy. He was an old-fashioned guy with dignity and good morals, he said he would do the show and there was never any question he wouldn't.'

Britain's Got Talent magician Jamie Raven tweeted this morning: 'I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Paul Daniels. All my thoughts are with Debbie McGee and family.'

Musician Rick Wakeman, who played with David Bowie, tweeted: 'I am so sad at so many friends passing away. Paul Daniels and Debbie were great friends & a wonderful couple. I shall miss Paul greatly.'

And magician Stephen Barry said on Facebook: 'Just heard the sad news that Paul Daniels died this morning. He was my inspiration as a child and this is a sad loss to the magic community.

'I was very lucky to have interviewed him at his house for a college project I was doing back in 1998 and am also proud to have shared the stage with him at the Magic Circle.'

Former England cricket caption Michael Vaughan tweeted: 'Gutted... loved Paul Daniels ... 'You'll like this, not a lot, but you'll like this'. #RIPPaul.'

Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips said on Twitter: 'Sorry to hear of the death of Paul Daniels. My thoughts are with you, Debbie McGee.'

Dancer James Jordan, the husband of Strictly professional Ola Jordan who was partnered with Daniels in 2010, said: 'Such sad news about Paul Daniels. I grew up watching him and his show on BBC. RIP. My thoughts are with Debbie and your family.'

James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said on Twitter that Middlesbrough-born Daniels was a 'childhood TV fixture and Teesside legend'.

Escapologist Jonathan Goodwin added: 'A very sad day indeed. RIP Paul Daniels. An inspiration to so many. The amazing speciality acts on his show inspired me to do what I do.'

London-based magician Richard Wiseman tweeted: 'Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee inspired an entire generation of magicians, including me and my pals. RIP Paul.'

And Australian magician Matt Tarrant said: 'Incredibly sad news for the magic community as we lose a great. RIP Paul Daniels, my love to Debbie and family.'

'A natural showman who wanted to make people happy': Television star Paul Daniels fell in love with magic aged 11 and had his first break at a Newquay summer season before spending his life entertaining fans

By Steph Cockroft for MailOnline

Paul Daniels was one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers who charmed the nation for decades with his rare magic touch.

During the Eighties and Nineties, his success in the magic and entertainment world was unrivalled and he could often draw in audiences of up to 20m.

His glittering 41-year career was dominated by The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which gave a vital new lease of life to magic on TV and took the coveted prime-time Saturday night slot on the BBC for more than 15 years .

An inspiration to generations of performers, the magician moved from stage to television with ease, his wit, charm, and magic skills earning him a reputation which landed him performances for Princes William and Harry, Prime Ministers John Major and James Callaghan and others.

Paul Daniels (pictured left in 1985 and right with his wife Debbie McGee) was one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers and a star of Saturday night television in the Eighties and Nineties, who success in the magic and entertainment world was unrivalled

His 41-year career was dominated by The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which took the coveted prime-time Saturday night slot on the BBC for more than 15 years, after its launch in 1979

Famous for his self-deprecating humour, his catchphrase - ‘You’ll like this ... not a lot, but you’ll like it!’ - became known the world over and fans from Australia, Canada and Japan flocked to see him.

But the showman truly consolidated his place in the public's heart through his double act with his wife Debbie McGee, to whom he was married for 28 years. The pair had met when McGee auditioned for his show and they went on to form one the most established magician-and-assistant acts in the world, vowing never to retire from the industry they Daniels so passionately loved.

Even in his hospital bed as he battled terminal cancer, Daniels was ever the showman. In a stirring anecdote about his father's charm, his son Martin - one of three children from his first marriage - described how Daniels would go around the patients' beds, saying hello and making jokes, before chanting 'roll up, roll up, visiting time time is over folks', as people left the hospital.

Born in Middlesbrough in 1938, Daniels's interest in magic began at the age of 11 when he read a book about entertaining at parties. After his National Service, Daniels developed his magic skills in working men's clubs

The showman went on the marry Debbie McGee, his assistant during the show's reign, and the pair became one of the most established magician-and-assistant acts in the world as they toured all over the world

'But that’s Dad,' Martin said. 'He is a natural showman, a natural entertainer and even at a time like that he wanted to try and make others happy.'

Born in Middlesbrough in 1938 as Newton Edward Daniels, Daniels's interest in magic began at the age of 11 when he read a book called 'How to Entertain at Parties' while on a rainy summer holiday with his family.

'We couldn't go out because of the bad weather and one of the books in the place we were staying in had magic tricks in it that you could do yourself,' he said in an interview.

'I was very shy but found out I could go to school and do some tricks. The fact that people didn't know how the hell I was doing it made me continue doing it.'

But, even by his own admission, Daniels's success came slowly. After training as an accountant, working in his parents’ grocery business and completing his National Service, Daniels eventually began developing his magic skills in working men's clubs in the late 1960s. While performing at a club in Bradford, he adopted his famous catchphrase as a way to deal with a heckler.

Pictured in 1990, magician Paul Daniels seen adopting the Marlene Dietrich look for an episode of the popular Paul Daniels Magic Show

An inspiration to generations of performers, the magician transcended every medium of entertainment, moving from stage to television with ease. He later toured with Ms McGee (with whom he is pictured left and right in 1995) and was doing shows just weeks before he died

In 1969, he was offered a summer season at Newquay and decided to become a full-time performer. The following year, Daniels made his TV debut on talent series Opportunity Knocks, and came second.

But it was in 1975 that he got his big TV break, after being spotted by producer Johnnie Hamp - responsible for the early TV appearances of The Beatles, Cilla Black and Woody Allen - who gave him a regular slot on The Wheeltappers And Shunters Social Club, a variety show on ITV hosted by the late Bernard Manning.

Four years later, Daniels launched The Paul Daniels Magic Show on BBC, which came an instant hit, quickly making Daniels one of the best-paid entertainers on British television.

One of its most popular items was the Bunko Booth in which Daniels exposed the techniques of confidence tricksters. The show attracted audiences of 15 million in the UK, and was sold to 43 countries, before it was axed in 1994 due to a ratings slump.

In 1983, in honour of his popularity and success, Daniels was presented with the prestigious 'Magician of the Year' Award by the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts in Los Angeles.

But, despite having stopped the show nearly 20 years ago, Daniels continued as a household name. He went on to host popular quiz shows for the BBC including Every Second Counts, Odd One Out and Wipeout and narrated the children's TV show Wizbit.

Mr Daniels was a divorcé with three teenage sons when he met Ms McGee — and eyebrows were raised when he fell for the 20-year-old dancer who was auditioning for his show in Great Yarmouth. They married in 1988

Daniels also toured around USA, Canada and New Zealand, and appeared in West End theatre shows in Las Vegas and Broadway.

One of his most enduring legacies will be his magic box sets, which were a hit with children across Britain who wanted to emulate his tricks in front of their friends and families.

In later years, Daniels and McGee participated in various TV shows including Channel 5's The Farm, ITV's The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars and Channel 4's Celebrity Wife Swap, in which Daniels tried living with Vanessa Feltz.

The couple also found themselves in the public eye in 2001, when Louis Theroux made a fly-on-the-wall documentary about them as they tried to re-establish Debbie’s former career as a ballet dancer.

Daniels married his first wife, his childhood sweetheart Jacqueline Skipworth, in 1960, but they separated when their youngest son was just six weeks old, something which led to fractious relationship with his sons. He went on to marry his second wife Debbie McGee, a trained ballet dancer, in 1988.

When McGee met Daniels at an audition for the show in Great Yarmouth, she was a soloist in the Iranian National Ballet in Tehran who had been forced to flee the country when the 1979 Iranian Revolution broke out.

When McGee met Daniels at an audition for the show in Great Yarmouth, she was a soloist in the Iranian National Ballet in Tehran who had been forced to flee the country when the 1979 Iranian Revolution broke out. They are pictured left in 2005 as Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in Stars in their Eyes and right in 1988

At the time, he was a 40-year-old divorcé of 18 years with three teenage sons - and eyebrows were raised that he had fallen for the 20-year-old dancer, who was only a few years older than his children.

But they tied the knot nine years later, leaving to a 28-year marriage, in which they also remained professional partners. They lived together in a £2.5m riverside house in Wargrave, Berkshire

Describing the moment they met in an interview, he said: ‘I remember her sitting on a wall outside the rehearsal room, looking like the little mannequin drawing between the paragraphs of Playboy magazine. We got chatting. She had personality and life — and presence.'

Ms McGee was famously humiliated by comedian Caroline Aherne on The Mrs Merton Show in 1995, when she was asked: ‘So, Debbie, what attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?’ She laughed it off, insisting: ‘When I married Paul - in 1988 - he wasn’t one.’

Daniels has previously spoken openly about his relationships with women. In his 2000 autobiography, Under No Illusion, he boasted of having sexual liaisons with 300 women. He also had an encounter with a schoolgirl hitchhiker, but asked her to get out of his car when he realised her age. The book had an entire chapter entitled Casual Sex.

The showman, who has three sons from his first marriage to Jacqueline Skipworth, is pictured with his girl dancers from his award-winning Montreux Show in 1985

Mr Daniel's career took him around the world with his magic shows performed in countries including USA, Canada, New Zealand. He was well known for his 'You'll like this ... not a lot, but you'll like it' catchphrase

In 2006, Daniels’ exploits made the front pages after he was photographed kissing a student at a magic show at Hull University. In a subsequent interview, he said: ‘I kissed about 60 girls that night.’

Meanwhile, professionally, Daniels had plenty to keep him busy in later life. He ran a £100-a-head magic lessons, an online merchandise business and a party shop in Wigan. Daniels also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, on which he was partnered with Ola Jordan, and exited after three weeks.

Away from the TV screens, Daniels entertained children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and took part in numerous charity events, especially those with children at their heart. Last year, he supported the Garden Re-Leaf appeal, which aimed to raise funds to support families who use children's hospices around the UK.

Daniels's career took him around the world with his magic shows performed in countries including USA, Canada, New Zealand and he appeared in West End theatre shows in Las Vegas and Broadway

Daniels (left in 1980 and right in 1993) got his big break in 1975 when he was seen by TV producer Johnnie Hamp - responsible for the early TV appearances of The Beatles, Cilla Black and Woody Allen - and given a regular slot on The Wheeltappers And Shunters Social Club

He entertained children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and took part in numerous charity events, especially those with children at their heart. He is pictured with McGee in 1989

In later years, Daniels and McGee participated in various TV shows including Channel 5's The Farm, ITV's The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars and Channel 4's Celebrity Wife Swap, in which Daniels tried living with Vanessa Feltz (pictured together)

Daniels also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 with his partner Orla Jordan. One cha cha dance saw him reprise his role as a magician

He was in the middle of tour around the UK with McGee - the Intimate Magic Show - when he was forced to pull out of the shows.

In an interview last year, while appearing in a pantomime production of Aladdin in Ipswich, he hinted that he was having health problems - but refused to let them get in the way of what he loves doing most.

‘Yes, things suddenly slam you down, but you’ve got to get up and fight again,’ he said. ‘I have a wonderful happy life and a fabulous wife.’

It was later reported that his wife had taken him to hospital after he lost his balance and fell at his home on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire. She then provided him with round-the-clock care took him into Royal Berkshire Hospital where a scan showed he had inoperable brain cancer.

Three years ago, he had spoken openly about his own mortality: 'Death isn't scary - it's just like going to sleep. It doesn't bother me because when your time's up, your time's up. Some people can't take that,' he said.