Debbie McGee reveals she starred in Wolverhampton panto while suffering with breast cancer
Debbie McGee starred in the pantomime in Wolverhampton over Christmas while suffering with breast cancer, she revealed.
The star underwent surgery to remove two tumours on January 17, just four days after Sleeping Beauty ended at the Grand Theatre.
The wife of the late Paul Daniels was diagnosed in October but completed the panto run. Sleeping Beauty was hailed as one of the most popular festive performances to ever come to the Grand.
She received treatment after cancerous tissue was found in her left breast.
McGee, aged 60, said she believed the stress of losing her husband may have brought on the disease, which was diagnosed at an early stage.
She said: "Stress, I think caused mine. I've never been through the stress I've been through since I lost Paul.
"Grief hits you in so many ways you're not expecting."
McGee appeared in Sleeping Beauty alongside comedian Doreen Tipton and Richard Cadell, with TV favourite Sooty.
During a visit to the Express & Star in December, she said of the show: “It just couldn’t be better, it’s fabulous at every level.
“Because I’m part of a very strong show with a bunch of amazing people, the audience can feel how well we get on.
“I’ve been to Wolverhampton before but never stopped, it’s lovely to get to know the community. Wolverhampton probably has the friendliest people, everyone says ‘alroight’ and I’m getting to know the local lingo. I’d love to do another panto here in the future."
The TV and radio star found fame as Daniels' assistant before they married in April 1988. The couple had been married for 28 years, and were together for a decade before that, when Daniels died of a brain tumour at the age of 77 in March 2016.
