Debbie McGee has revealed how she turned down Omar Sharif as a young woman after he spotted her in the BBC canteen.
The TV and radio star, 65, spoke on best’s Suddenly Single podcast about why she turned down the famous Hollywood Lothario before finding love with her late husband Paul Daniels, who died of a brain tumour age 77 in 2016.
Debbie admitted that she was worried that Omar, who was 26 years her senior, only wanted to sleep with her and she turned him down because of her young age.
During her appearance on the podcast, Debbie spoke about how she generally isn’t approached by men, before revealing her past encounter with Omar, who died of a heart attack age 83 in 2015.
She said: ‘I don’t get approached. I don’t think I got approached once on Strictly. I think being on TV and being seen on Red Carpets does the opposite – it put people off. I don’t know why.
Debbie McGee has revealed how she turned down Omar Sharif as a young woman after he spotted her in the BBC canteen
During her appearance on the podcast, Debbie spoke about how she generally isn’t approached by men, before revealing her past encounter with Omar, who died of a heart attack age 83 in 2015 (Omar pictured in 1965)
She said: ‘Omar Sharif asked me out when I was 21 and I didn’t go…it was at the BBC, and he was at the table next to us every day at lunch… I said I’d think about it. But I think I didn’t because I was very young, and I just expected he’d want to sleep with me’
‘Since Paul died, I haven’t had that many offers…. if you’re looking you end up unhappy because you’re wanting something that you haven’t got.’
‘Most men want a young totty, and I am getting older. I’m not on dating apps or websites. I really believe if you look for love, you won’t find it…’
‘Omar Sharif asked me out when I was 21 and I didn’t go…it was at the BBC, and he was at the table next to us every day at lunch… I said I’d think about it. But I think I didn’t because I was very young, and I just expected he’d want to sleep with me.’
Debbit went on to say she did fancy at other men while married to her husband of almost 30 years, but said she only ever ‘looked at the menu’.
She said: ‘I don’t think I have a type. Men that I’ve fancied over the years, and when you’re married it’s OK to look at the menu, it’s all about someone’s personality and never about how they look. That’s why I think going on a dating app wouldn’t work for me.’
On finding love again as a widow, she said that while she loves Paul she has learned to enjoy life without him but would be open to romance in the future.
She said: ‘I’m very contented with my life so if I’m honest I’m a bit frightened of upsetting that applecart. I’m in a very good place. I still miss Paul loads but I’ve learned how to enjoy my life without him.’
‘I really believe that if you look for romance you won’t find it. It has to just happen.’
‘I’ve learned to be happy on my own and if the universe brings somebody to me, that will happen, but I’m not going to go on websites to find them.’
The TV and radio star, 65, spoke on best’s Suddenly Single about why she turned down the famous Hollywood Lothario before finding love with her late husband Paul Daniels, who died of a brain tumour age 77 in 2016 (pictured Debbie and Paul in 1983)
‘I do need someone that has got a zest for life – who wants to get up every day and enjoy it. Somebody who wants to sit and watch TV every day and do nothing is not the person for me.’
‘I’ve got lots of gay friends that I go out with…if people saw us in a restaurant, they’d probably think we are together.’
‘I have lots of flirtations with men and I go out for dinner and drinks, but I haven’t found anybody where we both felt this could be more than a friendship.’
‘I find most men open up to me…I have got lots of male friends and they say we tell you things we don’t tell other people.’
‘If you are looking, you will be unhappy. I’ve learnt to be happy on my own. It might happen but I’m not going on websites to find it.’
Debbie went on to discuss how men want a ‘young totty’ and how Paul waited for years to date her hoping the press would be less harsh about their 20-year age gap.
She said: ‘When I met Paul, I didn’t know who he was. And I hated magicians, well I hated magic. We were married for 30 years and together for 9 years (before that).’
‘Paul thought I was far too young and kept saying ‘go and meet someone your own age’. So I had to do a lot of chasing. We had an instant chemistry and made each other laugh.’
‘For a long time, he’d take me out to dinner but say no, you’re too young for me. I had other boyfriends, and he had other girlfriends. When I got to about 27, I’d become very independent, had bought my own flat and was working in Europe, I think he suddenly thought I’m going to lose her. But he always said you’d got a bit older; I thought the press wouldn’t be so tough on us.’
‘He (Paul) had a girlfriend at the time and he said if I finish with her, would you be prepared to have a relationship? I said ‘finish with her and we’ll see!’