Magical moment hero Hammond delivered Debbie her beloved Merc

SHE LIKES IT QUITE A LOT: Debbie and Richard with Merc that reminds her of late husband Paul

- By James Rampton

DEBBIE McGee is moved to tears when Richard Hammond reunites her with her treasured classic car.

The widow of magician Paul Daniels was distraught when her Mercedes SL — registration 8 DEB — was written off after being damaged by flooding.

Not wanting to scrap the car due to its connection to her late husband, who died in 2016, she took it to former Top Gear host Richard’s garage to be restored.

The results — and emotional handover — can be seen in tomorrow night’s episode of Richard Hammond’s Workshop.

Debbie, whose weekly Strictly Come Dancing column you can read in tomorrow’s Daily Express or at express.co.uk, says: “I love everything about that car. Obviously, there is the emotional attachment to Paul. It was also my dream car.”

When Richard, 55, returns the immaculately restored Mercedes to her, Debbie is overwhelmed by emotion and at first is unable to speak.

Clasping her face in her hands, the 66-year-old manages to finally say: “Wow! Oh, my goodness! I’m a lot better now that I’ve seen my car!”

After stroking the Mercedes’ bonnet she adds: “Hello, you're back!”