Debbie McGee talks about her role in the Wolverhampton Grand's panto Sleeping Beauty
She’s an absolute belter. Are we still allowed to say that, in an age of political correctness and trying not to offend? Gah. Who cares. That’s what Debbie McGee is. The woman who was famously asked on TV’s Mrs Merton ‘what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?’ has become something of a national treasure.
Resilient, loving, kind and a right good laugh, Debbie has faced down her critics and found the showbiz sweet spot.
A trouper who had a successful career prior to her long, loving and happy marriage with Paul, a woman who has found new affection and warmth from the general public following his passing, she smashed it on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing. Debbie struck up a remarkable double act with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice as the duo reached the final, only to be beaten by Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.
Since then, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Her agent calls every day with new requests and offers of work. And though Debbie doesn’t have time to accept every request, one that got the thumbs up was an offer to feature in the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre pantomime. She’ll star in Sleeping Beauty until January 13 along with Richard Cadell and Sooty. Panto favourites Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams are both back by popular demand, returning for a third consecutive season, while West End star Oliver Ormson (Book of Mormon, The Addams Family) will play the Prince. Make no mistake, however, Debbie is the star name in this year’s production and she can’t wait for the curtain to go up.
“I love panto and I’ve been to the Wolverhampton Grand a few times for work. When I’ve been to Wolverhampton before, however, it’s always been for one night and then I’ve moved on.
“But I do really enjoy the theatre, it’s such a beautiful place, and I’ve also got lots of friends in the area. I have family that live nearby too and whenever I’m in that area I always find the people are so warm and friendly. So, yes, I’m really looking forward to it.
“When I do panto, I stand on the side of the stage and I can’t wait to get on and do my turn. I can’t explain that excitement. It’s like going to the best party every performance. You know, it’s Christmas and the atmosphere from everybody, not just the kids, is so warm. So I just get drawn into that. Something that Paul used to say and it’s very true is this: As a performer, if you have a good time then the audience will too. I’m a big believer in that.”
For performers, panto means discipline with so many shows and matinees each week. So Debbie will be sticking to a strict regime and avoiding junk food, fuelling herself with healthy snacks to remain in top form.
She got the gig, like so many other things, after dazzling the nation on Strictly. Her success wasn’t simply down to being a great dancer – she had a formal ballet training, which helped – it was also because she was fighting against grief and because she struck up such a warm and genuine bond with Giovanni. The tabloids speculated, as the tabloids do, that they’d found romance, though such headline-grabbing and salacious stories were nonsense. The two of them simply became the best of friends and remain so one year on.
“I have to say, Strictly was nothing but good. From the moment I heard I’d got it until now, it’s all been great. I was well and truly in the Strictly bubble. When people ask me what it’s like to be on Strictly, I tell them it’s like drinking Champagne every day.
“It’s really hard work but it’s also very rewarding. When I came into showbiz, Strictly was the type of show that got me in. It’s glamorous and you’re learning something every day.
