Debbie McGee stuns audiences with her fiery debut on 2017’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Who is Debbie McGee?
Born in Surrey, McGee started off her career as a ballet dancer, after graduating from the prestigious Royal Ballet School she joined the Iranian National Ballet in Tehran. Her career was cut short by the Iranian revolution, where she fled back to the UK in 1979 and began her career as a magic assistant for the legendary Paul Daniels. The role brought her to prominence and lasted over 15 years and she married the late magician in 1988.
Hitting Headlines…
58-year-old Debbie McGee has hit headlines recently as she wowed the nation with her debut performance on 2017’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Despite being the oldest contestant on the show, the former magician’s assistant has demonstrated she is a force to be reckoned with, moving fluidly and elegantly across the stage with dance partner Giovanni Pernice. Her flexibility stunned the audiences as she kicked her foot above her head like it was nothing before doing the splits.
Credit: BBC
She even threw in an impromptu kiss on the mouth to the unsuspecting Italian dancer before pushing him to the ground in the fiery climax to the performance.
‘It was a little bit cheeky and naughty. I don’t think Giovanni has recovered yet,’ she said.
McGee received an appraisal from the judges after the exuberant display. Craig Revel Horwood said she ‘looked like a 20-year-old’ on the stage, while Darcey Bussell said she was ‘on fire’ and the newest head judge Shirley Ballas exclaimed, ‘she has it all’.
The 58-year-old scored 30, putting her in second place for the night behind former JLS star Aston Merrygold.
McGee is now amongst the favourite to win, gaining the support of ex- Strictly contestant Judge Rinder who commented, ‘she is amazing and she may be the first over-50 winner we’ve had.’
Staying Fit
Talking about her fitness McGee explains, ‘gardening keeps me trim as does yoga and pilates, three to four times a week” she explained to The Mirror.
Yoga is one of the best positive ageing exercises out there. It aids flexibility and strength while preventing risk of osteoporosis, arthritis and hormonal issues.
Her effort is certainly paying off, with a figure most 20-somethings would be envious of and an impressive agileness and flexibility she brought to the stage.
After an impressive start to the show, we can’t wait to see what else McGee has to offer in the shows to come!
Catch her full performance here:
Image credits: BBC
