Debbie McGee is forced to move out of £3million Berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the Thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late TV magician husband Paul Daniels

  • The £3million home in Wargrave, Berkshire, is suddenly under 4ft of water  

Debbie McGee has been forced to flee her luxury home after flooding from the nearby River Thames caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The widow of magician Paul Daniels’ £3 million home in Wargrave, Berkshire, is under around 4ft of water after the Thames burst its banks last week.

Debbie, 64, has moved to a nearby flat which is being paid for by her insurance company after her home was left without power and made unliveable, with much of the furniture, carpets and interior destroyed.

High levels of water have also left the grounds of the house submerged with the main gates at the entrance unable to close after the loss of electricity.

Tragically for Debbie, this is the second time in the space of a month that her home has been deluged. In January it was hit by flooding following heavy rain and wet weather, but she did not have to move out on that occasion.

debbie mcgee is forced to move out of £3million berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late tv magician husband paul daniels

Debbie McGee has been forced to flee her luxury home after flooding from the nearby River Thames caused thousands of pounds worth of damage

debbie mcgee is forced to move out of £3million berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late tv magician husband paul daniels

The widow of magician Paul Daniels’ £3 million home in Wargrave, Berkshire, is under around 4ft of water after the Thames burst its banks last week

debbie mcgee is forced to move out of £3million berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late tv magician husband paul daniels

Tragically for Debbie, this is the second time in the space of a month that her home has been deluged

She has spent the past few weeks overseeing work to clean and dry out the property and just as it was completed, it was hit by flooding again following the recent wet weather.

A friend told MailOnline: ‘Debbie’s had a terrible time. When her home was flooded in January, the water went very quickly and just as she finished all the work to sort things out and get herself straight, it’s flooded again.

READ HERE: Debbie McGee’s riverside home floods again as banks of the Thames burst around star’s multi-million-pound Berkshire mansion she shared with her late TV magician husband Paul Daniels

‘But this time it’s a lot worse. There’s a lot more damage, much of the inside of the house has been destroyed, particularly the ground floor and there’s no power. She can’t live in it, but the insurance company have been very good with helping her out.’

The friend added: ‘They’ve put her in a lovely flat close to her home and are paying the rent. She’s actually quite enjoying it there despite the state of her own home.’

Debbie and Paul’s home has been flooded several times over the past few years, leading them to install a pumping system to avoid further damage. But following the most recent deluge, this failed after the high waters overpowered the system.

A friend said: ‘Despite what’s happened, Debbie is in good spirits. Flooding affecting her home is not a new thing, but this is the worst it’s ever been and it’s happening more regularly.

‘She thought the pumping system would prevent this kind of water damage but sadly it didn’t work because there was no electricity.’

According to the friend, work to dry out and repair Debbie’s home is expected to start over the next few days, and she is hoping to move back in within a month.

debbie mcgee is forced to move out of £3million berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late tv magician husband paul daniels

Debbie and Paul’s home has been flooded several times over the past few years, leading them to install a pumping system to avoid further damage

debbie mcgee is forced to move out of £3million berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late tv magician husband paul daniels

Speaking after her husband’s death, Ms McGee – who met Daniels when she was the assistant on his hit magic show – said the couple had enjoyed the marriage that ‘everyone dreams of’ and had stayed side-by-side sharing jokes until the end. Pictured: The pair together in 1983

debbie mcgee is forced to move out of £3million berkshire mansion as it floods again after banks of the thames burst around luxury home she shared with her late tv magician husband paul daniels

Describing how the couple dealt with Daniels’s sudden illness, Ms McGee said she ‘cried the whole night’ when he was first diagnosed. But she said she vowed to make his final days ‘the best time possible’ – and never allowed him to see her cry

Television personality Debbie worked as magician Paul’s assistant for years with the pair first meeting in 1979 when she performed on stage with him at the Britannia Pier Theatre in Great Yarmouth. They married in 1988.

Paul died in 2016 aged 77 after he was told that he had an incurable brain tumour.

Debbie, a former ballet dancer was once artistic director of her own ballet company and made it to the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, just a year after Paul’s death.

She is well known in the local area where she lives, with friends claiming that they are looking forward to welcoming her back and that many other residents have also been affected by flooding.

One said: ‘Debbie is a very big part of our community and what’s happened to her house is very sad. But we are all supporting her, she’s gone through a difficult time but so are a lot of other people.

‘Sadly, flooding is happening more regularly and is having a big impact on our lives.’

Debbie’ s home is the latest belonging to a public figure to be hit by high waters from the Thames.

Hollywood star George Clooney lives less than 10 miles from Debbie’s home and has seen his back garden hit by severe flooding in recent days, prompting him to relocate to the South of France with his lawyer wife Amal and their two children.

Homes belonging to other locals along the Thames, worth millions of pounds have also been affected by severe flooding.

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