Davina McCall reveals ‘letting go’ was toughest move after brain tumour surgery

Davina McCall has opened up after going under the knife to remove a benign tumour from her brain and admits that not having control over her life was a tough journey

TV star Davina McCall revealed her brain tumour diagnosis was one of the greatest things to happen to her
TV star Davina McCall revealed her brain tumour diagnosis was one of the greatest things to happen to her(Image: Mark Cant / Women’s Health UK)

Davina McCall has revealed that letting go of the control she had over her life was her toughest journey. Last year, the veteran TV presenter underwent surgery after doctors discovered a tumour on her brain. The tumour was later confirmed to be benign.

The former Big Brother presenter first discovered her colloid cyst after being offered a health check due to her ongoing work surrounding the menopause. Following the surgery, Davina was admitted to an intensive care unit but later updated fans, confirming she was “on the mend” and felt “really lucky.”

Now, Davina, 57, admits that it was the “greatest thing” that happened to her. However, speaking in a new interview with Women’s Health UK, she explained that letting go was her “toughest journey” as she was so used to being in control of her life. She told the publication: “I think letting go is probably my toughest kind of journey.

Davina admits not being in control was something that she struggled with
Davina admits not being in control was something that she struggled with(Image: Mark Cant / Women’s Health UK)

“It’s something that I struggle with so much and I think it’s because, since [I was] a little girl, controlling things or making sure everything is just so has made me feel safe…

“There have been moments where things have happened – like drugs and being with my mum sometimes – where I [felt] completely unsafe and it’s often because I had no control, like everything’s gone mad, no one’s behaving normally. I can’t tell what’s going to happen.”

Despite the terrifying ordeal, she told her partner, Michael Douglas, that if she made a recovery, her tumour would be the “greatest thing” that would happen to her.

She explained: “Because of the learnings, yes – and because of the places I’ve had to go to deal with it… I’m sort of going through a slightly mind-blowing phase of my life where I’m just asking questions about everything. I keep thinking: I’ve survived this thing, but I don’t know how that happened or why it happened.”

She spoke candidly to Women's Health UK
She spoke candidly to Women’s Health UK(Image: Mark Cant / Women’s Health UK)

Davina’s admission comes just days after she made an unexpected appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. During TK Magic’s performance on Sunday’s semi-final, he correctly guessed that judge Amanda Holden would choose a number on a placard which had Davina’s name alongside it.

He later asked Amanda to FaceTime Davina during the show, leaving both the TV star and Holden gobsmacked. But as her impromptu appearance came to an end, she shared a touching message to her friend Amanda.

She said: “I just very quickly want to say thank you to Amanda Holden, who, after my operation, made the schlep all the way down the country to come to see me. I really, really appreciate you. Thank you.” The NHS states that non-cancerous brain tumours are more common in people over the age of 50.

Symptoms include headaches, seizures, changes in eyesight, feeling dizzy or sleepy, speech problems, behavioural changes and even blackouts. While surgery is commonly used to remove the tumour, other treatments include radiotherapy, which uses radiation to kill the cells, and chemotherapy.

The full interview is available in the June issue of Women’s Health UK, on sale now

Related Posts

A former Red Bull Formula 1 star has expressed his belief that Max Verstappen may leave the team sooner than expected, raising questions about the future direction of both the driver’s career and the championship landscape.

Photo: © IMAGO Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has been tipped to quit Red Bull at the end of this season, by a fellow Dutchman. Verstappen’s future with…

Ferrari’s Fight for Survival: Can the Scuderia’s Latest Upgrades Unlock the SF25’s Potential and End Their Nightmare Season at Austria, or Are They Doomed to Watch Rivals Roar Past?

Ferrari’s High-Stakes Gamble in Austria: Can They Salvage the 2025 Season or Are They Doomed to Watch from the Sidelines Again? Ferrari, once the undisputed titan of…

Christian Horner’s recent statement about Red Bull’s future promises reassurance to Max Verstappen, quelling the swirling rumours of a potential move to Ferrari, and signalling strong team commitment as the Formula 1 season intensifies.

Max Verstappen is patiently waiting for Red Bull to bring some effective updates to his car in his bid for a fifth consecutive Formula 1 title. Currently…

Charles Leclerc recalls intense frustration after losing the Austrian Grand Prix to Max Verstappen’s aggressive late-race move – a controversial moment that not only cost him a long-awaited victory, but also sparked tensions between two of Formula 1’s fiercest rivals.

Charles Leclerc will return to the site where he was denied a first Formula 1 victory by Max Verstappen in 2019 at the Austrian Grand Prix this…

McLaren Shock Fans as Rising Star Alex Dunne Takes Over from Lando Norris in FP1 at Austrian Grand Prix – Supporters React with Surprise, Concern, and Curiosity Over Unexpected Driver Swap in Crucial Practice Session

McLaren have decided to replace Lando Norris with upcoming Formula 2 star Alex Dunne during first practice for the Austrian Grand Prix. Norris, who trails teammate Oscar…

Nico Rosberg Reveals Ferrari’s Strategic Expansion into the UK — A Move That Could Significantly Influence the Future Direction of Formula 1

Ferrari at a Crossroads: Reinvention or Ruin in the Heart of Formula 1 It started with a few carefully chosen words—subtle, almost offhand—from 2016 World Champion Nico…