Debbie McGee has postponed two planned pantomime performances in case she waltzes into the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ final.
The 59-year-old former magician’s assistant is a frontrunner to lift the glitterball trophy on the BBC One ballroom and Latin show on December 16, after scoring a perfect 40 for her tango with professional dancer partner Giovanni Pernice last weekend.
And, just in case they are victorious on the live final, Debbie will reportedly no longer be starring as fairy Adorabella Marigold Angelpi in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the Grand Opera House in York, Northeast England on December 15 and 16.
A representative for the production told The Sun Online: "Debbie will not be performing on the 16th December, however, she will be doing all the other performances from 17th December until 7th January."
Instead, the entertainer’s understudy is to replace her for the two shows, for which Debbie was to perform alongside Blue singer Anthony Costa.
The spokesperson for the production added that they had thought she would’ve "been fitting her ‘Strictly’ rehearsals in whilst rehearsing for panto in York at the beginning of December."
At the end of last Saturday’s show Debbie and Giovanni sat firmly at the top of the leaderboard.
When judge Craig Revel Horwood was asked by host Tess Daly for his comments on their performance, he remained silent and walked down in front of the judging table, leaving everyone unsure what was about to happen. He then knelt in front of Debbie and praised her, before returning to his seat next to the other judges – Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell – who were visibly shocked.
Darcey told her: "You gave me tingles down my back. That was extraordinary. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tango like that from a celebrity."
Whilst Shirley added: "Debbie McGee, that was a beautiful international tango. So for me, it was outstanding. Every week you’re just flying high. That is the most difficult dance and you just executed with first class."
Debbie McGee postpones panto for Strictly Come Dancing
