Relationships Talk

DEBBIE McGee has opened up about her heartache over her late husband Paul Daniels, who she sadly lost to a brain tumour in 2016.

The 60-year-old revealed her coping mechanism, and how she still struggles to get over the loss of her spouse, on the Christmas special of Channel 4’s Celebrity Call Centre.

Debbie McGee opens up about grief following loss of Paul Daniels

Debbie McGee

Debbie dishes out words of wisdom to grieving callers, and discuss her own battle with grief

When one caller asked the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant if she believed in the afterlife, Debbie replied: “I’ve always believed in life after death, and then when I married Paul he didn’t at all.”

Debbie went on to ask the caller: “Why do you want to believe in it? Is it because you want to believe you will end up with them one day?

“I think that’s really important to you and that’s something that you should believe in.”

However, the star believes that even a tiny glimmer of hope that you will meet your late loved one again inhibits those who have loved and lost from ‘moving on’.

PA:Press Association

Debbie McGee’s late husband passed away in 2016

Getty Images – Getty

Debbie says she can’t mention Paul’s name sometimes

She continued: “The only thing that would worry me about that is that it doesn’t allow you to move on. “But at the moment your grief is still so raw that that’s not in your head at all. Life has to go on without them.”

Debbie has admitted she still has “really bad moments” when she is overcome with sadness, but she says she has to be harsh with herself.

She added: “I think I’m only six or eight months further on than you are, and when I’m having my really bad moments I just keep saying to myself, ‘You can’t bring them back.’ You have to just feel lucky that you had that wonderful person in your life for that length of time.”

PA:Press Association

Debbie has passed on her advice to other people who are grieving

But Debbie urged those suffering to remember the good days they spent with their partner on the programme.

She advised: “The one thing I’ll say to you now is that the good days outweigh the bad days.”

However, the star has admitted there are times she can’t even say Paul’s name because she is so grief-stricken.

She said: “There are days where I can’t mention Paul’s name and there are other days I can, I sometimes have to tell myself off.

“That’s our survival mechanism.

“Your life is going to go on and you will be happy.”

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1. Your partner will not snoop through your phone, if you don’t act suspicious. Investigations happen only when you start acting funny.

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2. Your partner will not mind you having friends of the opposite gender, if you keep clear boundaries between them and are transparent. Make your partner secure.

3. Your partner will not mind you coming home late sometimes, if you have valid reasons and you indicate where you will be coming from and who you’re with. Informing your partner builds trust.

4. Your partner will not mind you raising the child you got with another before meeting him/her, if you make things clear to your baby daddy/mama that you are done and are only interested in raising your child. Don’t make your ex a threat.

5. Your partner will not mind helping you with money, if you don’t use that money to cheat and spoil others or use your partner as you hide your money. Don’t take advantage of the one who stands by you.

6. Your partner will not mind you travelling to another county or country to work or study, if you communicate a joint vision, maintain communication and be faithful in the distance. How can two walk together unless they agree?

7. Your partner will not mind you being online or chatting friends online, if you don’t ignore him/her or spend much of your attention on others. Make your partner feel special online and offline.

8. Your parents will not micromanage your relationship or marriage, if you two look like you know what you are doing. Parents like saving children who act like they are lost, their saving will either offend you or your partner and destroy your love life. Stop acting confused.

© Dayan Masinde

In my new book, MANHOOD SERIES, I help men to understand themselves in a holistic way; their pain, challenges, fears, potential, vision, wealth and character. I also show them how to cultivate friendship in their relationship.

In my other new book, WOMANHOOD SERIES, I help women to find themselves and find a healthy relationship with self and those around them. I address matters that women go through from sex, money, decisions, emotions to personal growth. I also show women how to cultivate friendship in their marriage.

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To purchase the MANHOOD SERIES written by Dayan Masinde, MPESA Ksh. 200 to 0721590954, then text the word MAN and your email address to the same number and the book will be sent to your email address for you to download and read on your phone or computer
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To purchase the WOMANHOOD SERIES written by Dayan Masinde, MPESA Ksh. 200 to 0721590954, then text the word WOMAN and your email address to the same number and the book will be sent to your email address for you to download and read on your phone or computer.

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