Davina McCall, the 57-year-old TV presenter and fitness advocate, has revealed she is recovering from brain surgery after a health scan discovered a 14mm benign tumour. The tumour, described as 'very rare' with an incidence of three in a million, was found during a routine check for a menopause company talk. McCall admitted she was 'blindsided' by the diagnosis, having assumed she would 'ace' the scan given her healthy lifestyle.
In an emotional Instagram video, McCall explained that while the tumour posed no immediate risk, doctors feared it could grow and cause complications. She decided to undergo surgery to remove it. 'It's quite big, it's 14mm wide and it needs to come out because if it grows it would be bad,' she said, asking followers to 'say a prayer' for her. She is expected to remain in hospital for nine days before continuing her recovery at home.
McCall's boyfriend, hair stylist Michael Douglas, has taken over her social media to reassure fans. He posted: 'She is in great shape and in very good hands' and noted she would be 'off grid' while recuperating. The NHS states that benign brain tumours grow slowly and do not spread; if completely removed, they usually do not return.
This health scare is not McCall's first. She has previously spoken about her struggles with drug addiction, which began at age 14 when she tried cocaine with her sister. By 16, she had used heroin. A turning point came at 24 when a friend confronted her about her lies, leading her to seek help. McCall has also been an outspoken advocate for women's health, particularly menopause, drawing from her own difficult experiences.
