DEBBIE McGEE and her dancing partner Giovanni Pernice are through to next Saturday’s spooky Strictly Come Dancing after their tribute to her late husband Paul Daniels.
In a video seen before the pair danced, we saw Giovanni and Debbie reminiscence about the master magician.
The pair dance a rumba to Tracy Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You and the judging panel loved their routine, saying that Ms McGee caresses the floor with her feet and adding that it was her best dance yet.
“Giovanni and I have really become mates, so I thought it would be nice to share some of my past with him,” Debbie said.
Watching old videos of Paul Daniels conjuring on his hit TV show which ran for 15 years, Debbie said that it brought back happy memories: “I feel lucky to have had just such as amazing life with him”.
Shirley Ballas – who will be in Woodley next month – said: “Very emotional, I’ve lost a loved one so I know what it means, no bells or whistles, classic rumba, poised and balanced, and I’ve never seen such a beautiful standing leg.”
Craig Revel Horwood mimicked missing judge Bruno Tonioli by waving his arms around and then falling off his seat.
Craig falls off his chair (yes, really), pure frills from Ruth & Anton, and Joe McFadden gets fierce! See our favourite #Strictly moments ✨ pic.twitter.com/oFf04qhKle
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 22, 2017
All three judges gave Debbie and Giovanni nines, placing them at the top of the leaderboard for the week.
And when it was revealed that Debbie was through for another week her face lit up with a massive grin before she embraced Giovanni, who had punched the air in delight.
We’ll be seeing plenty more @thedebbiemcgee and @pernicegiovann1 magic, they’re through for another week ✨ #Strictly pic.twitter.com/hm7ZPqR3ou
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 22, 2017
And now the couple are preparing for a special Hallowe’en style dance next Saturday … and also Debbie’s birthday. She’ll be 21 again on Tuesday, October 31.
Always ready boss. Wo ho ho what will we get up to for Halloween week? Have you started baking my Birthday cake?????? https://t.co/NTR0eSP78s
— Debbie McGee (@thedebbiemcgee) October 22, 2017
And it wasn’t the only tribute to Paul broadcast over the weekend.
Channel 5 screened Paul Daniels: My Life In Magic, which fused home video with rare archive clips to tell the story of his rise to fame.
