Thank You For The Magic

TV magician Paul Daniels dies after brain tumour diagnosis.

20:11 18 March 2016

Magician Paul Daniels has died in the early hours of Thursday at his Berkshire home. He was with his wife Debbie.

 

His publicist said: "Debbie and the family would like to thank everyone for their support and asks that their privacy be respected at this sad time.”

 

Daniels was born in Middleborough and made his TV debut on talent series Opportunity Knocks. He had his first BBC show in 1979 and was known for a string of catchphrases, including the line: “You’ll like this…not a lot, but you’ll like it.”

 

BBC correspondent Nick Higham said: "Paul Daniels could be chippy and some thought him smug. He fell out with BBC managers who dropped his show in the 1990s.

 

"But there was no doubting his popularity - or his talent."

 

In February, Daniels was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour.

 

His son, Martin Daniels, said at the time: "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."

 

Meanwhile, Magician Dynamo said: "Without Paul Daniels I don't think I'd be doing magic today, so it's really a testament to how important he is for the magic world, he was a true master and [his death] is just such sad news.

 

"He was a real personality, he didn't just perform a bunch of tricks, he knew how to take something and make it magical but humorous at the same time.