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Everybody is aware of the professional differences that Paul Daniels and I have had over the past 35 years, but right now I would like to place that issue to one side. Ever since I learned about Paul’s very serious illness, I haven't stopped thinking about him and his family at this difficult time. He is the original pioneer of comedy magic and once he set that trend we all followed. Paul has made an epic contribution to the world of magic and he has my sincere admiration and respect. Wayne Dobson.

'Unbearably difficult' time for family of cancer-stricken Paul Daniels

Paul Daniels' family do not know how long the magician will live for after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, his son has revealed. The entertainer is sticking to his belief that when "it's your time it's your time" as he spends his last days at home surrounded by his family, Martin Daniels told The Sunday Mirror.

The 77-year-old fell at home and was rushed to hospital suspected of suffering a stroke, although he was later diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, his son said. "There's no treatment which can help him. Doctors haven't said how many weeks or months he might have – and we haven't asked.

Magician and entertainer Paul Daniels with his wife Debbie McGee: Paul Daniels diagnosed with brain tumour © PA WIRE Paul Daniels diagnosed with brain tumour "He knows things are not in his hands now and we are living in the knowledge every day is a bonus. "It is 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."

Mr Daniels, 52, who is a magician himself, had to cut short a tour in Argentina after receiving a call from his father's wife and assistant Debbie McGee, 57. The entertainer remained upbeat while undergoing tests in hospital that later revealed he had a "rapidly growing" brain tumour, his son said. "A couple of days after I arrived to see dad in hospital he was up and walking about trying to cheer up all the other patients. "He said to me, 'right I am going to have a wander round now and see if everyone is all right'. "He went round the beds saying hello, making jokes. He sat at the nurses' stations. He was doing a little ditty by the door to the ward saying, 'roll up, roll up, visiting time is over folks'."

Daniels, who is said to be "lucid", is now at his Thames-side home surrounded by his family, said his son, adding that the support of his fans had given them "tremendous strength at what is a very difficult time".

Mandrake wrote:Paul Wilson gave a tribute to Paul Daniels saying that without him, Paul Wilson would not have become a magician.