Television magician Paul Daniels died aged 77 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The television star was released from hospital last week after being told that the tumour was incurable.
On 7 March, Daniels' wife Debbie McGee said the family had been inundated with "wonderful messages " of support from fans and friends.
The tumour was found when the entertainer fell and was rushed to hospital suspected of suffering a stroke.
Daniels was at his Berkshire home with McGee when he died in the early hours of Thursday.
A statement from his publicist said: "One of our most beloved entertainers, Paul Daniels, has passed away at the age of 77.
"The TV star, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year, passed away peacefully at home with Debbie at his side in the early hours of this morning.
"Debbie and the family would like to thank everyone for their support and asks that their privacy be respected at this sad time."
Daniels' son Gary tweeted to confirm his father's death alongside a picture of a crying white rabbit in a magician's black top hat.
:: Read the tributes to Paul Daniels here
One of the most popular magicians of the 20th century, his success was unrivalled in the magic and entertainment world.
His wit, charm, and magic skills earned him a reputation which meant that he performed for Princes William and Harry, Prime Ministers John Major and James Callaghan, Prince Rainier of Monaco and others.
Born in South Bank, Middlesbrough as Newton Edward Daniels, the TV personality's interest in magic began aged 11 when he read a book called How To Entertain At Parties.
After serving as a conscript with the 1st Battalion, the Green Howards, in Hong Kong he started working in clubs where he developed his famous catchphrase: "You'll like this ... not a lot, but you'll like it."
He made his television debut on Opportunity Knocks in 1970 where he came second.
ITV gave him his own show in 1978 and he moved to the BBC the following year with The Paul Daniels Magic Show which attracted 15 million viewers in the UK and ran until 1994.
Daniels also starred in his own stage show called It's Magic which became one of London's longest-running magic shows in the 1980s.
It was at this time that he met his second wife McGee, whose role as his assistant became a major feature of his act and the couple married in 1988.
In 1987 Daniels hosted a controversial Halloween live special where he replicated a trick called the Iron Maiden. It was deliberately staged to look as though it had gone wrong and that he had been killed.
Dozens of people complained to the BBC when the credits rolled but he later made an appearance between programmes to show he had successfully escaped from the device.
Daniels was known for his outspoken views on everything from the Conservative Party to climate change. He was dismissive of modern illusionists, describing David Blaine as "not very original".
In 2012 Daniels cut off his left index finger and the tip of his ring finger while using a circular saw in his garden. He drove himself to hospital where the index finger was reattached.
In his later years, Daniels and his wife toured the country with magic and comedy shows, entertaining old fans and new generations alike with his skills.
He had three sons with his first wife Jacqueline Skipworth. His youngest son Martin regularly appeared on his TV shows and is now an entertainer himself.
Culled from SkyNews... Read more...
The television star was released from hospital last week after being told that the tumour was incurable.
On 7 March, Daniels' wife Debbie McGee said the family had been inundated with "wonderful messages " of support from fans and friends.
The tumour was found when the entertainer fell and was rushed to hospital suspected of suffering a stroke.
Daniels was at his Berkshire home with McGee when he died in the early hours of Thursday.
A statement from his publicist said: "One of our most beloved entertainers, Paul Daniels, has passed away at the age of 77.
"The TV star, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year, passed away peacefully at home with Debbie at his side in the early hours of this morning.
"Debbie and the family would like to thank everyone for their support and asks that their privacy be respected at this sad time."
Daniels' son Gary tweeted to confirm his father's death alongside a picture of a crying white rabbit in a magician's black top hat.
:: Read the tributes to Paul Daniels here
One of the most popular magicians of the 20th century, his success was unrivalled in the magic and entertainment world.
His wit, charm, and magic skills earned him a reputation which meant that he performed for Princes William and Harry, Prime Ministers John Major and James Callaghan, Prince Rainier of Monaco and others.
Born in South Bank, Middlesbrough as Newton Edward Daniels, the TV personality's interest in magic began aged 11 when he read a book called How To Entertain At Parties.
After serving as a conscript with the 1st Battalion, the Green Howards, in Hong Kong he started working in clubs where he developed his famous catchphrase: "You'll like this ... not a lot, but you'll like it."
He made his television debut on Opportunity Knocks in 1970 where he came second.
ITV gave him his own show in 1978 and he moved to the BBC the following year with The Paul Daniels Magic Show which attracted 15 million viewers in the UK and ran until 1994.
Daniels also starred in his own stage show called It's Magic which became one of London's longest-running magic shows in the 1980s.
It was at this time that he met his second wife McGee, whose role as his assistant became a major feature of his act and the couple married in 1988.
In 1987 Daniels hosted a controversial Halloween live special where he replicated a trick called the Iron Maiden. It was deliberately staged to look as though it had gone wrong and that he had been killed.
Dozens of people complained to the BBC when the credits rolled but he later made an appearance between programmes to show he had successfully escaped from the device.
Daniels was known for his outspoken views on everything from the Conservative Party to climate change. He was dismissive of modern illusionists, describing David Blaine as "not very original".
In 2012 Daniels cut off his left index finger and the tip of his ring finger while using a circular saw in his garden. He drove himself to hospital where the index finger was reattached.
In his later years, Daniels and his wife toured the country with magic and comedy shows, entertaining old fans and new generations alike with his skills.
He had three sons with his first wife Jacqueline Skipworth. His youngest son Martin regularly appeared on his TV shows and is now an entertainer himself.
Culled from SkyNews... Read more...
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