Davina McCall has revealed that a routine health screening, which she initially considered pointless, led to the discovery of a brain tumour that could have killed her. The 57-year-old TV presenter underwent the screening in June 2023 after a friend, gynaecologist Dame Lesley Regan, suggested it in exchange for a talk on menopause. McCall, who described herself as 'the healthiest woman you've ever met', was shocked to learn she had a colloid cyst, a benign fluid-filled sac in her brain.
The cyst, which McCall nicknamed 'Jeffrey', measured 14mm—significantly larger than the 10mm threshold for a 'big' colloid cyst. Although benign, it posed a serious risk if left untreated. McCall initially resisted surgery, but after consulting with a specialist in the US, she agreed to the operation. She is now fully recovered and says she is still processing the experience.
McCall, who presented 'Big Brother' for 10 years and 16 series, spoke candidly about her health journey, including her past struggles with addiction to alcohol and heroin. Today, her focus is on fitness and wellbeing. She also discussed the importance of her children's privacy, noting that she has never posted pictures of her son online.
The diagnosis came while McCall was working as a judge on 'The Masked Singer'. She described the discovery as 'fluky' and acknowledged that without the screening, the outcome could have been very different. McCall's story highlights the value of preventive health checks, even for those who feel perfectly healthy.
