Paul Daniels 'has incurable brain tumour'

Magician Paul Daniels has had a TV career spanning nearly four decades

Magician and entertainer Paul Daniels, 77, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, his family has said.

A statement from his publicist said the entertainer had been diagnosed with "an incurable brain tumour", and thanked well-wishers for their support.

Middlesbrough-born Daniels, whose career has spanned nearly four decades, found fame in the 1980s with his BBC TV series The Paul Daniels Magic Show.

His wife, Debbie McGee, tweeted: "With great sadness."

Mark Linsey, acting director of BBC Television, said: "We're sorry to hear this sad news and our thoughts are with Paul and his family."

Catchphrases

Daniels, whose real name is Newton Edward Daniels, developed his magic skills in working men's clubs.

He made his TV debut on talent series Opportunity Knocks in 1970, and came second.

He was then given a regular slot on ITV variety show The Wheeltappers And Shunters Social Club, hosted by the late comedian Bernard Manning.

Daniels is married to his former assistant Debbie McGee, seen here in The Paul Daniels Magic Show in 1992

He made the move to the BBC in 1979 and launched The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran for 15 years.

He became one of the biggest stars on British TV, becoming known for a string of catchphrases, including the line: "You'll like this... not a lot, but you'll like it."

He said he had first used the line at a club in Yorkshire as a way of dealing with a heckler.

Daniels and his wife, a fellow performer and his on-stage assistant, married in 1988.

Fellow Magic Circle member Steve Allen, also a LBC radio presenter, was among those to tweet their reaction