Debbie McGee 'hated' how she looked during Strictly Come Dancing finale as she reveals shocking toll BBC show took on her body
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Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie McGee has revealed she 'hated' how she looked in the BBC dancing competition's finale after losing weight on the series.
The performer, who is best known as the wife and assistant of the late magician Paul Daniels, admitted she was left wincing at her own image before her final dance on the series after it saw her get 'too thin'.
She made it all the way to the final of the series back in 2017, alongside former show professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, who was axed from Strictly in 2024 over bullying claims.
Debbie, 66, exclusively told the Daily Mail: 'I lost so much weight, and in that final week I hated what they looked like because I was just so thin.
'Although a few people might enjoy that they've lost weight on the program...'
Debbie's not the only celebrity to come out and speak about losing weight on the show, with Nick Knowles last year revealing he lost two-stone thanks to the 'tough' rehearsal schedule.
Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie McGee has revealed she 'hated' how she looked in the BBC dancing competition's finale after losing weight on the series
The performer admitted she was left wincing at her own image before her final dance on the series after it saw her get 'too thin'
Last year, Debbie's former dance partner Giovanni was forced to leave the show because of a BBC investigation following Amanda Abbington's claims he bullied her.
While Giovanni, 35, was later cleared of 11 of the 17 allegations made by Sherlock actress Amanda, 51, he didn't return to the show.
In July 2024, the BBC announced that chaperones were to attend all rehearsals alongside the celebrity contestants following the complaints.
But Debbie insists she had nothing but 'joy' from the experience of taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, and has fond memories of the behind-the-scenes too.
Debbie, who was speaking via WhichBingo, continued: 'I enjoyed every minute of it.'
For Debbie, going on the show was a chance to 'rebrand' after losing husband Paul, who passed away aged 77 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
The star, who admitted she was struggling to deal with the loss before signing up to take part in the series, explained: 'It was the year after Paul died, so my grief was there.
'But it helped me, using today's vernacular, to rebrand myself - because after Paul died, I just went back to work, but people linked me with Paul completely.
Debbie revealed how the BBC show helped her move forward after her late husband Paul Daniels died from an inoperable brain tumour
Debbie made it all the way to the series final back in 2017, alongside former show professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, who was axed from Strictly in 2024 over bullying claims
'I didn't really know what else I could do, and I had a radio show and was getting invited to guests on things, but it kind of was a narrow road as such of where I could work.
'When I did Strictly, people realised there was a bit more to me than just being a magician's assistant, and it opened up so many doors.'
Last year, Debbie revealed she had been asked to give evidence in a BBC investigation into Strictly Come Dancing after a series of complaints, including a number against her former partner Giovanni.
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked by the show following similar claims of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired in 2023.
She told GB News: 'It's all very secret, and I'm sure everybody else who's ever danced with him and people that have worked alongside him would have been asked to give evidence to so I just hope it all turns out well for all parties.
'My experience of Giovanni, I know other people have said they've had a different experience, but mine was he really looked after me in my grief, and we had a great time, great memories.
'People can react differently to different circumstances, or you just don't have a chemistry with somebody that somebody else might have a chemistry.
'So I don't know what went on, but I'm sure that they will go into it in a lot of depth before making any decisions.'
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and iPlayer.
