Debbie McGee has recounted her experience of turning down Omar Sharif when he approached her in the BBC canteen during her youth. In an appearance on the Suddenly Single podcast, the 65-year-old TV and radio star explained her decision to decline the advances of the renowned Hollywood lothario.
Debbie expressed concern that Omar, who was 26 years her senior, was primarily interested in a casual encounter, which influenced her choice to reject him at that time. She also highlighted her young age as a factor in her decision. Following this encounter, she went on to find love with her late husband, Paul Daniels, who passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 77 in 2016.
During her appearance on the podcast, Debbie McGee discussed her experiences with men, noting that she generally does not receive many approaches. She recalled her past encounter with Omar Sharif, who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 83 in 2015.
Debbie remarked, “I don’t get approached. I don’t think I was approached once during my time on Strictly. I believe that being on television and appearing on red carpets tends to have the opposite effect; it seems to deter people. I’m not sure why that is.”
Debbie McGee shared her reflections on love and dating after the loss of her husband, Paul Daniels. She mentioned, “Since Paul died, I haven’t had that many offers. If you’re actively looking for love, you often end up unhappy because you’re chasing something that’s not there.”
She expressed her feelings about aging and dating, noting, “Most men want a young totty, and I am getting older. I’m not on dating apps or websites. I truly believe that if you seek love, you won’t find it.”
Debbie recounted an encounter with Omar Sharif when she was 21, explaining, “He asked me out while we were at the BBC, sitting at adjacent tables during lunch. I said I’d think about it, but I didn’t go. I was very young and assumed he only wanted to sleep with me.”
While married, Debbie admitted she found other men attractive but emphasized that it was always about personality over looks: “When you’re married, it’s okay to look at the menu. I don’t think I have a type; it’s about the person.”
Reflecting on life as a widow, she said she has learned to enjoy life without Paul but remains open to the possibility of romance. “I’m very content with my life, but I’m a bit frightened of upsetting that applecart. I still miss Paul a lot, but I’ve learned to be happy on my own. If the universe brings someone my way, it will happen naturally.”
Debbie McGee shared her insights on relationships and her past with Paul Daniels, emphasizing her desire for a partner with enthusiasm for life. She remarked, “I need someone with a zest for life who wants to enjoy each day. A person who just wants to sit and watch TV isn’t for me.”
She mentioned her social life, saying, “I have lots of gay friends, and if people saw us together in a restaurant, they might think we’re a couple.” While she enjoys flirtations and going out for dinner and drinks with men, she hasn’t found anyone with whom she felt a potential romantic connection. “Most men open up to me; I have many male friends who share things they don’t tell others,” she explained.
Debbie highlighted her belief that seeking love often leads to unhappiness: “If you’re looking, you’ll be unhappy. I’ve learned to be happy on my own, and if it happens, it will come naturally.”
Reflecting on her relationship with Paul, she noted how he initially hesitated to pursue her due to their 20-year age difference. “When I met Paul, I didn’t even know who he was, and I disliked magic. We married for 30 years and were together for nine before that.”
She shared how Paul felt she was too young at first, saying, “He would often tell me to meet someone my own age, but we had instant chemistry and made each other laugh.” Debbie described how, as she became more independent in her late twenties, Paul realized he might lose her. He eventually broached the subject of a relationship after ending his previous one, stating, “If I finish with her, would you be open to a relationship? I replied, ‘Finish with her and we’ll see!'”
