Steve Price was speaking as tributes poured in for the British performer, who died from a brain tumour.
Paul Daniels was one of Saturday night television's most famous stars for decades, performing in the 70s, 80s and early 90s.
Born Newton Edward Daniels in Middlesbrough in 1938, Daniels became interested in magic as a young child.
After coming second in talent show Opportunity Knocks, he was offered a regular slot on the ITV variety show The Wheeltappers And Shunters Social Club.
In 1979 The Paul Daniels Magic Show hit UK screens on the BBC and he became a household name.
The illusionist married one of his magical assistants, Debbie McGee.
His first wife, Jacqueline Skipworth, bore him three sons.
Paul Daniels went to see Steve Price perform live at a church concert after a member of the congregation contacted him, inviting him along. The congregation was pleasantly surprised when he actually showed up.
Speaking about the occassion, Steve Price told Premier's News Hour: "He was wonderful, really encouraging and supportive, sat in the audience laughing and clapping.
"It was just a very strange feeling, thinking twenty years previously I'd been to see him in a show and there he was coming to see me in my show.
"He really has inspired a generation. Like myself, a lot of magicians started because they either saw Paul Daniels on television or had a Paul Daniels magic set.
"That was how I was bitten by the bug aged ten, and that was about twenty-five years ago!"
Listen to Premier's Antony Bushfield speaking to Steve Price on the News Hour:
