Magic memories of legend Paul Daniels
He'll go down in history as a legend of the magic world after performing to fans for almost 50 years.
Tributes have been paid to magician Paul Daniels, who has died aged 77 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Daniels died peacefully in the early hours of Thursday at the Berkshire home he shared with wife Debbie McGee.
He rose to fame in the 1970s and 80s, wowing TV audiences with his magic tricks and humour on The Paul Daniels Magic Show for 15 years, becoming one of the biggest stars on British TV, attracting 15 million viewers nationally and the show being seen in 43 countries.
See also: Gallery - The late, great Paul Daniels through the years
Daniels also presented game shows in the 1980s and 90s such as Wipeout, Every Second Counts and Odd One Out.
He also toured extensively and appeared at Dudley Concert Hall, Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock and, just last year, at the Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton.
As part of The Intimate Magic Tour, he was due to perform at Perton Community Centre last Saturday as part of Codsall Arts Festival but had to cancel due to his illness. John Harris, chairman of Codsall Arts Festival, said he was greatly saddened by the news of his death. He said: "We were really looking forward to his show but were told some time before he unfortunately would have to cancel. It only became apparent some weeks later as to why, as we had no idea he was so ill.
"He was such a popular man and it is with unbelievable sadness I learn that he has died.
"We were hoping that after this recent cancellation we could book Mr Daniels back in for a future appearance, as he was so good at what he did and the audience would have loved him. It is such a tragedy, I send my best wishes to Paul's family." Daniels was also always keen to back local charity campaigns. In 1984 he was pictured in the Express & Star as he backed the paper's Ethiopia famine relief appeal. Magician and entertainer Paul Rushworth, from Shrewsbury, said Daniels used to stay with his family when he came to visit the town.
"We knew him very well. We can't believe it has happened so quick.
"People who knew him saw him as a genius. He was a brilliant entertainer who was brilliant live. He was funny, sharp and quick." Mr Rushworth, along with his father Geoff, who is a magician with more than 50 years experience, helped make props for Daniels. He said his family made around a dozen illusions for Daniels's TV and stage shows and in return he got advice on his own act. Daniels was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year.
