'He had to put his hands between my legs during a lift!' Debbie McGee speaks of 'special chemistry' with Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice... and says she always put beloved late husband Paul Daniels first

Published: 16:27 GMT, 19 December 2017 | Updated: 20:13 GMT, 19 December 2017

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She delighted Strictly fans during her stint on the show, impressing the judges with her glittering moves and sizzling chemistry with pro partner Giovanni Pernice.

And finalist Debbie McGee, 59, has opened up about her 'special' relationship with the Italian ballroom dancer, 27, while revealing just how close they had to get to perfect their sparkling routines on Tuesday's Loose Women.

The former magician's assistant also paid tribute to her late husband of 28 years, Paul Daniels, who died in March 2016 and credited their longevity as a couple due to her putting him first.

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Dance sensation: Strictly Come Dancing finalist Debbie McGee, 59, has opened up about her 'special' relationship with dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 27, while revealing just how close they had to get to perfect their sparkling routines

Grace and elegance: When panellist Gloria Hunniford asked if it was strange for Debbie to get close to another man after her beloved husband Paul Daniel's death, she responded:'From day one, I felt comfortable with Giovanni. There wasn't anything that made me feel shy'

When panellist Gloria Hunniford asked if it was strange for Debbie to get close to another man after her beloved husband Paul Daniel's death, she responded:'From day one, I felt comfortable with Giovanni. There wasn't anything that made me feel shy.

She then humorously added 'One of those lifts, he had to put his hands between my legs, that's as close as you can get to a man! ...

'I can't explain why, we were just really comfortable in each other's company. I never felt like anything was wrong so we just had a lovely time.'

Speaking about the romance rumours that began swirling due to the pair's close bond, she was quick to dismiss the speculation.

Banter: She then humorously added 'One of those lifts, he had to put his hands between my legs, that's as close as you can get to a man!

28 years wed: Debbie also paid tribute to her late husband Paul Daniels, who died in March 2016 and credited their longevity as a couple due to her putting him first, taking a backseat in her own career

Chemistry: On romance rumours with Giovanni she said: 'They’re totally ludicrous, we do have a special chemistry, he’s a very special person to me, I’m sure I am to him, we love each other to bits, but there’s nothing more than a friendship there'

Happy: The star said was thrilled she made it all the way to the final on the BBC show and admitted she felt like she had been 'reborn'

Talent: She said: 'People always thought I couldn't do anything and I was just blonde. I do have my blonde moments ... but it was really nice for me to show everybody that there's a bit more to me than that'

'They’re totally ludicrous, we do have a special chemistry, he’s a very special person to me, I’m sure I am to him, we love each other to bits, but there’s nothing more than a friendship there,' she said:

The star said was thrilled she made it all the way to the final on the BBC show and admitted she felt like she had been 'reborn'.

She said: 'People always thought I couldn't do anything and I was just blonde. I do have my blonde moments ... but it was really nice for me to show everybody that there's a bit more to me than that ... It does feel like that [being reborn].'

The star said that while she had fully immersed herself in the race for the glitterball, she had no regrets about letting her career take a backseat during her marriage because her relationship with Paul was the most important.

Forever love: The star said that while she had fully immersed herself in the race for the Glitterball, she had no regrets about letting her career take a backseat during her marriage because her relationship with Paul was the most important.'

Support: And Debbie thinks Paul Daniels would have loved her stint on the show and would be 'looking down' on her with pride

Walk on the wild side: Debbie donned a stylish leopard print blouse and leather skirt, paired with metallic stilettos for her TV appearance

'When I met Paul, I had had a really good career in the business but I just had seen lots of showbiz marriages split up and go awry. I always put him first. I have no regrets over that.

'I had over 30 amazing years with Paul and in those days, I thought, if I go and push my career, we won't see each other. If it [work] took me away from him too long, I thought, 'Oh I won't do that again,' because I want to be with him.

'Life's too short. I don't want to sit in a hotel room on my own and him be in another hotel room somewhere else. I wanted to be with him.'

And Debbie thinks Paul Daniels would have loved her stint on the show and would be 'looking down' on her with pride.

She added: 'He would have absolutely loved it because if I did well, he would always be happy for me. He would be looking down on me ... When Paul did it, I got more nervous for him then I did getting nervous for me doing the show because it really wasn't his thing.'