Davina McCall recently made her first public appearance since undergoing brain surgery, where she spoke at a Brain Tumour Research Campaign (BTRC) event on Thursday.
The 57-year-old presenter shared her personal journey with the audience at All Saints Church in Fulham.
Earlier this month, she underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumour known as a colloid cyst, after a company offered her a health scan in exchange for giving a menopause talk.
She was introduced on stage by BTRC chairman Kevin O’Neill, the neurosurgeon who performed her surgery.
Sharing about her emotional journey, McCall said, “I’m not going to cry… I’m crying already. That didn’t go well.” She then acknowledged others on their own brain tumour journeys and those who have lost loved ones to the illness.
Her sister Caroline Baday, who passed away from lung and bone cancer in 2012 at 50, also had two brain tumours, adding a personal resonance to McCall’s involvement with the cause.
The charity expressed gratitude to McCall for her support and recognized her as “a powerful voice for this cause.”
When she first revealed her brain tumour diagnosis, she described it as “big” and explained the necessity of its removal to prevent further complications. She described the cyst as “very rare” and acknowledged the slim chances of having it, saying, “three in a million.”
McCall shared details about the surgery process, mentioning a craniotomy procedure where the cyst was removed to ensure her well-being.
She later shared an update from her recovery bed, noting some memory lapses and her coping mechanism of writing things down for safety.
According to the NHS, non-cancerous brain tumours are serious, slow-growing, and potentially life-threatening despite their non-malignant nature.
McCall, known for her hosting roles on various TV shows, has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. She was honored with an MBE in 2023 for her contributions to broadcasting and continues to make a difference in the public eye.
Living with her partner Michael Douglas since 2022, McCall’s journey with her recent health challenge has touched many and emphasized the importance of raising awareness and support for brain tumour research.