When Davina McCall shared the news last week that she was undergoing a major operation to remove a benign, but extremely rare, brain tumour, the presenter’s fans were left reeling.
The star took to her Instagram account to tell her followers that, after a scan found the tumour, she was advised she would need surgery to have it removed. Her partner Michael Douglas then took over her account to keep everyone updated on her recovery.
Thankfully, Davina’s operation was successful and the former Big Brother host is now recovering. Michael informed her 1.9million Instagram followers in the days that followed that Davina, who he’s been dating for five years, was out of intensive care and making ‘mega progress’.
And now insiders say the entire experience has provided a whole new outlook on life for Davina, 57.
‘The brain tumour has been a game changer,’ we’re told. ‘Davina’s been telling pals that it’s made her realise you actually have no idea what’s around the corner, and that having a bucket list is suddenly becoming very real. There have been a lot of tears, but her ex-husband Matthew Robertson has been helping support the kids, and Michael has been by her side, looking after her as she recovers. Since the op, Davina has confided she feels saved and that this will open up a whole new chapter in her life.’
Given her famously spiritual outlook on life and positive attitude towards her health, it’s no surprise the operation has had this effect on Davina. Shortly before the surgery, the presenter – who hosts the Begin Again podcast, about embracing your mid-life – put on a brave face for the camera as she shared the news of her health scare in a video. Davina explained that she’d learned she had the tumour a couple of months ago after undergoing a private medical scan, which she’d done in exchange for giving a talk about her menopause experience.
Davina explained that the chances of her having the tumour were ‘three in a million’ and that while it was currently benign, ‘if it grows it would be bad’. Michael, 49, was by her side for the whole video, and after the operation, he wrote, ‘Thanks so much to all the well wishers. She has made an enormous leap forward in the last 24 hours.’
Michael has known Davina for two decades, thanks to his work as her hair stylist long before their romantic relationship began in 2019, and sources tell us that he has been a rock for the presenter and their blended families. The My Mum, Your Dad presenter has kids Holly, 22, Tilly, 21, and Chester, 18, with Matthew, who she split from in 2017, after 17 years of marriage.
Michael, meanwhile, has two children from previous relationships. He was singled out by Davina on stage at this year’s National Television Awards, when she delivered an impromptu speech after being surprised with the Special Recognition Award. She addressed her partner with the words, ‘Thank you. I love being on this journey with you. You make me a better person and you make me so happy.’
Given both Davina and Michael’s marriage histories, Davina has previously insisted that another wedding was ‘not on the table’. But insiders tell heat that this recent experience has changed everything for her.
The source says, ‘It’s been a life-changing time for Davina. No more making excuses – life really is too short for that. This is her second chance and pals wouldn’t be surprised if she married Michael very soon. But right now, her top priority is her recovery.
‘Despite being a workaholic, she’s been ordered to rest – though that’s hard for her when her career is going so well. She wants to keep it up.’