Television personality Davina McCall has made her first public appearance since revealing her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this month, showing remarkable strength as she supported her fiancé at a prestigious London awards ceremony.
A Festive and Brave Appearance
The 58-year-old Masked Singer judge attended the British Hairdressing Awards at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on Monday, standing by her partner Michael Douglas, 52, who works as a celebrity stylist. McCall chose a festive ensemble for the occasion, wearing a red sparkly top paired with velvet hotpants, heels, and a black crossbody bag.
Despite her recent health challenges, the presenter maintained a positive demeanour, posing for photographs with Douglas throughout the evening. This public outing comes just weeks after McCall disclosed her diagnosis during her Dine With Davina charity event.
The Diagnosis and Early Detection
McCall's cancer journey began when she discovered a lump in her breast while performing routine checks. She credited Lorraine Kelly's lifesaving Change + Check campaign with prompting her to remain vigilant about her health.
'I found a lump a few weeks ago and it came and went,' McCall explained. 'But then when I was filming The Masked Singer, the show Lorraine put signs on the back of their toilet doors saying "check your breasts" and every time I went for a wee I did that, and it was still there.'
Following this discovery, McCall underwent a biopsy which confirmed breast cancer. She subsequently had the tumour removed in a lumpectomy procedure nearly three weeks ago.
The TV star emphasised that her cancer had been caught 'very very early', describing herself as 'incredibly lucky' that the disease was detected at such an early stage and hadn't spread beyond the initial site.
Treatment and Recovery Journey
While the cancer was small and detected early, McCall will undergo five days of radiotherapy in January as what she describes as an 'insurance policy' to remain cancer-free. This preventative measure aims to ensure any remaining cancer cells are eliminated.
The presenter shared her emotional journey through the diagnosis, admitting: 'I was very angry when I found out, but I let go of that and I feel in a much more positive place now.'
This health challenge comes less than a year after McCall underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumour in November last year, making it her second significant health scare in recent months.
Wedding Plans and Personal Life
Despite these health setbacks, McCall and Douglas are moving forward with their personal plans. The couple, who got engaged in Ibiza in July after six years together, are reportedly planning to marry in the New Year.
According to sources close to the couple, 'After all she's been through Davina feels she can't take anything for granted. Not just one, but two health scares really send home the poignant message of who and what really matters.'
Originally considering a large celebration, the couple now plan an intimate wedding in 2025 with only close friends in attendance, particularly those who have supported McCall through her recent health challenges.
A Vital Health Message
McCall used her platform to deliver an important health message to women everywhere, captioning her announcement: 'The message here, is know your boobs. Notice any changes. Don't procrastinate. Get your free checkups. And never ignore a niggle.'
Her experience highlights the critical importance of regular self-examinations and responding promptly to any changes in breast tissue. Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the UK, with more than 55,000 new cases diagnosed each year according to medical statistics.
McCall's openness about her journey serves as both a cautionary tale and a story of hope, demonstrating that early detection can significantly improve outcomes for those facing breast cancer diagnoses.
