Davina McCall, 58, has opened up about how she coped with a benign brain tumour and breast cancer within the same 12-month period, secretly marrying celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas. The TV presenter, who will judge The Masked Singer's Christmas special on ITV on Boxing Day, says her positive outlook helped her land the role, which she describes as a 'second spring'.
McCall, who struggled through the menopause, advises middle-aged women to buy new underwear to regain their sparkle. 'You can tell what mood I am in by the underwear I am wearing. If I don't like myself it is off-white, seamless comfortable underwear,' she said. She also recommends wearing 'pink boots' or 'mad earrings' to step out of one's comfort zone.
McCall feared her TV career was over after quitting Channel 4's Big Brother in 2010, but a lunch with ITV's entertainment boss Kevin Lygo six years ago led to her panel role on The Masked Singer. She suggested joining the panel rather than presenting, and Lygo agreed. 'If I had not said I wanted to be on the panel I don't think I would have been there,' she said.
McCall, who also hosts Long Lost Family, credits her husband Michael and stepmother Gaby for supporting her through her health battles. She recalled her stepmother's reaction before brain surgery in November 2024: 'She asked what nighties I had for hospital. I put one on and went with White Company pyjamas, but they were shorties. She was like “don't be flashing your brain surgeon”.'
McCall has forgiven her biological mother Florence Kock, who died in 2008, for a chaotic childhood. 'My birth mother was a gorgeous, French, exotic, mad, risk taker... but I just wanted Angela Lansbury. I wanted somebody with sensible shoes,' she said.
