Paul Daniels: Magician said that 'death isn't scary' in 2013 interview

It was announced on Thursday Daniels had died aged 77

(Rex)

The magician Paul Daniels has died aged 77, just a few weeks after it was announced he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

His publicist confirmed he died in the early hours of Thursday morning at his Berkshire home with his wife Debbie by his side.

The news of Daniels’ “incurable” brain tumour was announced in February by his publicist. Just over a week ago, his son Martin told the Sunday Mirror the veteran magician had left hospital to spend his final days at home.

Nearly three years ago, in an interview with The Guardian, Daniels revealed how he wasn’t scared of death.

“Death isn’t scary - it’s just like going to sleep. It doesn’t bother me because when your time’s up, your time’s up. Some people can’t take that.”

The quote was repeated by Daniels’ son Martin who explained when announcing his decision to leave hospital: “There’s no treatment which can help him. Doctor’s haven’t said how many weeks or months he might have - and we haven’t asked. It’s unbearably difficult. He has said before when ‘it’s your time it’s your time’ and that’s how he is trying to face up to things.”