Debbie McGee has revealed that she has been secretly undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
The star, who dazzled on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, has opened up about her treatment and revealed that she had surgery to remove two tumours in her breasts earlier this month.
Debbie said that she was diagnosed with the disease in October after doctors found cancerous tissue during a routine screening and she underwent treatment to remove the tumours on Thursday 17 January.
The star, who is the widow of celebrated magician Paul Daniels, told The Sun she believed that the stress of losing her husband may have triggered the cancer.
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She said: “Stress, I think caused mine. I've never been through the stress I've been through since I lost Paul. Grief hits you in so many ways you're not expecting. It's not all about sadness.”
Debbie added that she felt “lost” going through treatment without her husband of 28 years, who passed away in 2016 aged 77 after battling an incurable brain tumour.
However, the star revealed that she won’t need chemotherapy or radiotherapy following the operation and she feels lucky to be given the all clear. She added that she attends breast screenings every two years but never expected to be told she had cancer – particularly as there is no history of breast cancer in her family.
CHECK OUT Celebs that love their pets
Celebs that love their pets
1 of 22Jack Fincham
Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer welcomed puppy Sandy into their relationship shortly after leaving the Love Island villa.
2 of 22Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is known for her love of dogs. The U.S singer snuggles up to her beloved pooch in this cute snap.
3 of 22Binky Felstead
Binky Felstead's loyal pooch Scrumble has long been a part of her family - and nothing changed when she gave birth to her first daughter, India.
4 of 22Georgia Kousoulou
TOWIE'S golden couple Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett share cute pomeranian, Monkey in their Essex home.
5 of 22David Beckham
Victoria Beckham shared this adorable snap of hubby David snuggled under a plush Louis Vuitton blanket with pooch, Olive.
6 of 22Caroline Flack
Often papped walking her french bulldog around London, Caroline Flack isn't shy of making displays of affection with her much-loved dog, Ruby.
7 of 22Kady McDermott
Kady McDermott first got cutie Coby when she was dating Scott Thomas after the Love Island villa in 2016. Once they pair broke up, Coby stayed with mum Kady.
8 of 22David Walliams
David Walliams' dog Bert frequently features across his Instagram feed - and with that adorable, scruffy face it's no wonder he's a fan-favourite.
9 of 22Kate Wright
Kate was gifted cute Chihuahua Ronnie from ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar. Although Kate and Dan are no longer close, the TOWIE star still has sweet little Ronnie.
10 of 22Louise Thompson
Louise Thompson and fiancé Ryan Libbey have been sending fans wild with their adorable snaps of King Charles Cavalier spaniel, Koji.
11 of 22Saint West
The Kardashian family are known for their love of animals - and it looks like the younger generation are taking this on board. Saint West was spotted walking one of Kim's adorable dogs.
12 of 22Lucy Watson
Animal rights campaigner and vegan, Lucy Watson often features her adorable pooch on her Instagram. It's fair to say we're head over heels for him.
13 of 22Royal Family
Kate Middleton and Prince William posed for their first family portrait with eldest son, George when he was a newborn in 2011. Family spaniel, Lupo was rightfully included.
14 of 22Megan McKenna
Megan McKenna often shares her adoration for cute dog, Daisy with fans on social media. We're totally obsessed with the cute pup.
15 of 22Pete Wicks
Pete Wicks adore his furry friends - and has often been outspoken in standing up for animal rights. During his stint on Bear Grylls' Celebrity Island his beliefs even landed him in hot water with the other celebs.
16 of 22Olivia Buckland
Olivia Buckland shares dogs, Winnie and Reggie with husband Alex Bowen. The happy family live in a luxurious Essex home.
17 of 22Vogue Williams
Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews live in a luxurious London apartment with their sweet baby, Theodore and cute dog Winston.
18 of 22Queen Elizabeth II
And no one loves animals more than the royals. The Queen is famous for her love of adorable pet corgis.
19 of 22Tanya Bardsley
Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley was horrified when her English Bulldog Buzz was stolen off the streets. Luckily they found him and he's now back in the fold being as cute as ever.
20 of 22Lauren Pope
Expectant mum Lauren Pope did the most low-key gender reveal ever when she posed heavily pregnant with her Frenchie puppy Cookie and captioned the post "Just me and my girls". She also calls impossibly adorable Cookie her "first born" and we can't with the cuteness.
21 of 22Mrs Hinch
When Mrs Hinch, AKA cleanfluencer Sophie Hinchcliffe reached 2M Instagram followers, she celebrated by posing for a family pic with her hubby and pampered pooch Henry.
22 of 22Holly-Willoughby
Let's hear it for the cats, shall we? Holly's gorgeous ragdoll cat Bluebell is the stuff of fluffy dreams and we love her.
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The star urged other women to keep going to their mammogram appointments and described her fear when doctors told her she may need a full mastectomy, which would mean taking flesh from her thighs to reconstruct her breasts.
The former ballet dancer gained fame when she became Paul Daniels’ assistant in 1979. In 2017, she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing where she reached the final with partner Giovanni Pernice after audiences were stunned by her ballroom skills, but the couple were beaten to the glitterball by Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.
Despite her husband’s passing, Debbie credited the magician with giving her the strength to go through treatment and also praised her sister, brother and four close friends for rallying around her while she rests following the treatment.