Television presenter Davina McCall has been open about her struggles with drug and alcohol dependency. She started drinking during her teenage years before spiralling into heroin addiction, but successfully got clean and has remained sober for over three decades. One close friend has now revealed the extraordinary story of how she "locked" Davina in her car, ultimately transforming the trajectory of her life.
Friend's Intervention
Author Sarah Hiscox first encountered Davina at a house party during their 20s, confessing that she "loved her instantly." At that point, the former Big Brother presenter was employed at a modelling agency while running nightclubs in the evenings. Although Sarah was grappling with her own struggles, including the eating disorder bulimia, she grew "increasingly worried" about Davina's drug use.
She told The Times: "I would watch her when we went out, dancing on tables, the centre of everything. It was difficult to watch, this beautiful, vital girl who was slowly consumed by something infinitely more powerful than herself."
The Car Locking Moment
The situation reached breaking point when Sarah locked Davina in her car in a desperate final attempt to persuade the star to transform her lifestyle. It proved a masterstroke and a pivotal moment for Davina, who responded dramatically to the confrontation.
Sarah said: "I locked her in my car one night. When I challenged her, she crumbled immediately. 'I know, I know,' she was crying. 'I'm scared.' Soz (as she called me). I'm afraid I can't stop and I don't know what to do. I keep making deals with myself, telling myself I'll only use on a Tuesday and Thursday and then weekends, but it's turned into every night and now I can't go for a day without them."
Sarah recalled how she then put her arms around Davina and reassured her that it was "going to be OK."
Path to Sobriety
During the years before achieving television stardom, the presenter lacked the financial means to enter rehab or even consult a therapist. Her friend therefore proposed she begin attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Sarah explained: "I suggested: 'You're bound to know lots of people there, so you won't be alone. Knowing you, you'll end up loving it!" Davina's pal revealed the former Big Brother host agreed to go to a meeting the next day and has remained sober ever since.
Career Transformation
Achieving sobriety had a profound effect on the 58-year-old's career trajectory. Following her recovery, she made the leap into television, landing her first role on MTV Europe. She then clinched the presenting role on groundbreaking reality TV programme Big Brother in 2000, which propelled her to unprecedented levels of fame. Her subsequent credits have included The Masked Singer, The Million Pound Drop and Long Lost Family.
Davina has been candid about her struggles with substance abuse. Speaking on The Diary of a CEO, she acknowledged she continues to remain "vigilant" about her progress to protect herself against slipping back into the pattern of addiction.
