Strictly's Debbie McGee, 59, says she is 'sincerely happy for the first time' since husband Paul Daniels died

Strictly's Debbie McGee has revealed how the contest has made her feel ‘sincerely happy’ for the first time since the death of her husband Paul Daniels.

McGee, 59, the oldest contestant left on the show, said dancing with Giovanni Pernice, 27, had helped her to get her sparkle back.

But speaking just before last night’s show, she revealed she would not have had the confidence to take part 12 months ago.

She said: ‘It if had been last year it wouldn’t have been the same because I was still very upset and feeling weaker as a person. Strictly came at the right time. When Paul died I just completely lost my sparkle. Strictly has given me the sincere feeling of happiness back.’

The star, who danced a tango last night to I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas, said the show had helped her regain ‘her strength as a person’. She added: ‘The people are all so wonderful and dancing gets the adrenaline pumping. I am just loving it and loving dancing with Giovanni.’

McGee married TV magician Paul in 1988 and the pair were inseparable. He died in March 2016 from a brain tumour aged 77.

While many pundits had expected viewers to support McGee out of a sense of sympathy, they had not realised just what an impact she would have.

Her unexpected but very obvious chemistry with Giovanni has proved to be dancefloor dynamite.

The couple, who yesterday lined up to support Strictly’s Children In Need special later this month, have wowed the show’s 11 million fans with daring routines.