Television presenter Davina McCall has shared an emotional message with her fans after a significant personal milestone, while also tackling the negative connotations of so-called 'National Quitters Day'.
An Emotional Health Milestone
The 58-year-old Masked Singer UK detective, known for her role alongside panellists Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama, took to Instagram to reveal she had completed a course of radiotherapy treatment. "It was very, very emotional," McCall confessed, fighting back tears in the video. She added that the experience was "much more emotional than I thought it would be."
This treatment followed surgery in November last year to remove a small lump after a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer. The five-day radiotherapy course in January was described by Davina as an "insurance policy" to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Reframing 'National Quitters Day'
In the same social media post, filmed on January 9, McCall addressed the date's statistical label as the day people are most likely to abandon their New Year's resolutions. "But there's nothing happy about that. We shouldn't be celebrating that," she stated.
Instead, the broadcaster proposed a positive reframe: "We should have a happy 'congratulations on still going for it when everyone else is giving up day'. That's what we should say." She acknowledged the post-holiday slump, noting, "all of the buzz of Christmas and New Year has subsided, and it is just a grey, stormy day."
A Journey of Awareness and Support
Davina McCall discovered her original lump through a self-examination, inspired by fellow presenter Lorraine Kelly's awareness campaign. She has been vocal about her experience to encourage others to perform regular checks for early detection.
In her Instagram caption, she sought to reassure supporters, writing: "I'm good, don't worry about me x it's been an emotional day, but I'm relieved, grateful, happy and hopeful." She also promoted her podcast, Begin Again, calling it the "reset podcast" for those needing a fresh start.
Fans and followers quickly flooded the comments with messages of love and support. One wrote, "Sending so much love Davina. Let's Begin Again - all together x," while another added, "Well done Davina... you are doing so well... so happy you completed treatment."
This health update comes after McCall previously received treatment for a benign brain tumour towards the end of 2024. The Masked Singer UK is available to stream on ITVX.
