Television presenter Davina McCall has opened up about her recent health struggles, including a "very frightening" battle with breast cancer and a previous benign brain tumour, as she gears up to host Comic Relief: Funny For Money. The star revealed she is now putting these "dark times" behind her and focusing on raising millions for charity.
Mistaken Identity and Comic Relief Preparations
Despite being one of the UK's most recognisable TV faces, Davina McCall recently found herself at the centre of a humorous case of mistaken identity. While chatting with a hotel doorman, two fans approached her excitedly, only to reveal they thought she was Claudia Winkleman from The Traitors. "I got a bit cocky and was like, 'Oh, hi girls!'" Davina recalls. "Then one asked for a photo and said, 'My mum loves The Traitors!'"
This mix-up has inspired Davina to consider dressing as Claudia Winkleman when she hosts the Comic Relief telethon on Friday 20 March. "It happens to Claudia all the time as well, which is hilarious," she laughs.
Overcoming Health Challenges
Davina's return to television comes after a difficult period health-wise. In early 2026, she underwent radiotherapy following a breast cancer diagnosis in October last year, which required a lumpectomy. This followed another serious health scare a year earlier when she had a craniotomy to remove a benign brain tumour.
Describing her cancer diagnosis as a "very, very frightening thing," Davina expresses immense relief at being back at work, particularly for such a meaningful cause. "Comic Relief is in my DNA," she says. "I know the charity, I know how they work, and I know how much they care. What I love is that all the money raised will help people with the essentials that matter most – food, a place to sleep, and feeling safe."
Star-Studded Line-Up and Fears of Nan
Davina will be joined by comics Joel Dommett, Katherine Ryan, and Nick Mohammed for the telethon, with Catherine Tate appearing as her famously foul-mouthed character Nan. "What's so nice is that I'm hosting with Joel Dommett, and Joel's actually one of my best friends," Davina reveals. "It's so nice to be presenting with him."
However, she admits to being "mildly terrified" of Catherine Tate's Nan character. "How I'm going to stop her from swearing, I just don't know! Obviously 'please do not swear' was my catchphrase on Big Brother – so I'm going to have to stay on my toes."
When asked if she'll behave during the show, Catherine Tate responds bluntly: "No I won't and yes they should."
Highlights and Sketches
The Comic Relief night promises plenty of entertainment, with Davina particularly excited about a sketch featuring Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary. "We've got 'The Bank Job', which is a sketch with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary that will be really funny," she explains. "Basically, they have an utterly brilliant idea to raise massive amounts of money in a really quick, silly way – they're going to hold up a bank! That's going to be hilarious."
Bringing Light to Dark Times
With current news dominated by war, crime, and politics, Davina hopes Comic Relief will help restore viewers' faith in humanity. "I don't know any other nation to be so good at making fun of themselves, and we need to really celebrate that in dark times," she says. "Let's celebrate something that we are really brilliant at, and all behave totally ridiculously."
While thrilled with this year's line-up, Davina has even bigger dreams for future Comic Relief shows. "I'd have George Clooney, Kate Bush, and Michelle Obama in it," she reveals. "And funnier people than me would have to come up with the story! But that's what I want and I'm putting it out there to the universe. Make it happen."
Comic Relief: Funny For Money airs at 7pm on BBC1 on Friday 20th March, marking Davina McCall's triumphant return to television following her health battles and bringing much-needed laughter to audiences nationwide.
