My brain tumour terror and the man who helped me through it: DAVINA MCCALL on how her outlook has changed, her extraordinary next steps – and why she fell for her hairdresser

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Davina McCall provides priceless suggestions for women over 50 who are having trouble finding their ideal partner – someone reliable in tough times, capable of bringing joy, and offering support during life-threatening moments: Don’t hesitate to seek compatible companions at your nearby hairdressing salon.

In this place, you can discover an excellent match – male hairdressers being likened to friends and partners combined.

It’s clear that Davina is aware of this situation, as she started dating her longtime friend and hairstylist, Michael Douglas, following her divorce from Matthew Robertson in 2017. They had already known each other even before her marriage.

Throughout the entire span of her hosting Big Brother, he consistently remained on the opposite side of the chair. He was also present during the dissolution of her marriage to Matthew, who is the father of Holly (23), Tilly (21), and Chester (18).

In 2019, we officially embarked on our journey as a couple and publicly announced it that very same year. Currently, we share a home and co-host the podcast “Making The Cut,” which serves to strengthen our connection even more.

She remarks that a woman’s hairdresser often knows just as much about her personal life as her closest friend, based on the conversations they share during appointments.

Michael fits right in during ladies’ nights out. He’s almost like a female counterpart, given his extensive conversations with numerous women about their lives as a whole.

Before starting our relationship, he already knew every detail about me. We didn’t feel attracted to each other initially, which allowed us to be incredibly open and honest, even more so than usual. It’s like we were sharing secrets with a close friend, revealing both the good and bad aspects. This openness was quite amusing, but also remarkably beneficial for our bond. It fostered a unique level of transparency and trust, promoting overall well-being in our relationship.

‘Then, I guess something changed. Michael gets me, because he understands.’

Davina chuckles and says, “It’s just like the 2000 movie ‘What Women Want,’ where a self-assured, misogynistic advertising executive, played by Mel Gibson, suddenly acquires the ability to hear women’s thoughts.

As a die-hard fan, let me share that Michael, renowned for gracing BBC’s The One Show and styling celebrities and supermodels during fashion weeks, was a pillar of strength for me during the darkest times of my life. Davina owes him a debt of gratitude.

Last November Davina, 57, underwent an operation to remove a benign colloid cyst from her brain.

During a regular examination focused on menopause health, it was discovered that a scan indicated she had an extremely uncommon tumor, which in some cases may lead to sudden and unexpected death.

After conquering my health hurdle, they performed a craniotomy to extract the tumor, leaving me as chipper as ever – if you know me, you’d expect nothing less! With my signature wit, I named that little guy “Jeffrey,” since I don’t happen to have any friends bearing that name. To celebrate his arrival, we threw him a birthday bash, complete with Michael tickling the ivories and belting out tunes.

By April 2025, following a final MRI scan, she announced the tumour ‘is not coming back’.

For her, it was a deeply frightening experience, but she’s overwhelmingly thankful – and immensely relieved – for making it safely.

Michael, aged 52, stayed by her side throughout her recovery process. He regularly posted updates about Davina’s progress on social media to keep her followers informed.

Yet, he has served as a steadfast support during her recovery process, enabling her to return to work just three months post-convalescence, as she attests.

Eager and proudly admitting her dedication to work, Davina was quick to take up opportunities to be in front of the camera again as soon as they became available.

After spending three months recovering, she went back to film the ITV series called Long Lost Family. She described it as feeling like returning home.

Michael understood that it would benefit me, so he stood by me as I returned. It was indeed nerve-wracking, but Michael suspected it would bring me the most joy. And he was spot on. After a brief respite of three months, that was all there was to it.

Davina seldom fails to flash a grin when we meet, such is her infectious enthusiasm for life both at home and in the workplace. She shares with me that her perspective on life has transformed following surgery.

Instead of postponing vacations or enjoyable activities due to work obligations, she now informs me that she, alongside Michael, are making the most of each day.

Since my operation, my perspective on life has shifted dramatically. I feel more determined than ever before to accomplish everything I set out to do. In fact, instead of planning things for several years from now, I now find myself eager to act immediately – whether it’s in a few weeks or even this very year.

After taking a memory test prior to her surgery, she has established an uncommon personal objective for herself.

‘I know this sounds really mad, but I had a test and was told I was good at non verbal reasoning.’

It seems I should have mastered that subject, given my fondness for math. However, I failed my A-Level Maths after just a year. Now, I’ve found an app on my smartphone and worked my way back to the level of GCSE Maths.

Although this show is intended for children, I’ve found myself quite captivated by it and have decided to revisit my Maths A-Level studies as a result. This is something I wouldn’t have considered before my operation, but now I see it as unfinished business for me. Completing this task will bring a sense of satisfaction and well-being.

After a break from our screens, Davina, 57, is back – and on both the BBC and ITV.

This week, we’ll discuss the upcoming BBC show where 12 singles will be paired, wed, and then transported to a secluded tropical island to see how well they can survive and maintain their relationships under challenging conditions with minimal supplies.

Next month, Long Lost Family will be back on air, a show that Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell have been hosting together for 14 years.

The show, that reunites estranged family members, is one particularly close to her heart.

She expresses that nothing brings her more joy than her family, for they are incredibly generous individuals. The McCalls have consistently shown hospitality and a warm welcome to others by offering them shelter.

When Davina was just three years old, her parents divorced. Her biological mother, Florence, who struggled with alcoholism and had a complicated bond with Davina, went back to France. As a result, Davina grew up primarily under the care of her father, Andrew, and his new spouse, Gaby.

During my younger years, our home served as a refuge for those in need. My stepmother and father extended their generosity by providing temporary shelter to a male model, who found himself without a place to stay, for approximately half a year. Additionally, during my late teens, I opened our doors to a dear friend who was experiencing hardships. She stayed with us for six months as well.

My grandmother was always welcoming guests and took care of everyone from our church community when they fell sick.

I was brought up with a generous nature, and at times, folks may advise me to ‘give less’, yet helping others brings me a sense of warmth and satisfaction.

In the upcoming episodes of Long Lost Family, audiences can expect to witness a heartwarming reunion when a British Airways flight attendant is reunited with his biological family, all thanks to Davina’s assistance. This touching story begins when the flight attendant recognized Davina during their flight and asked for her help in tracking down his long-lost relatives.

‘During a flight, a woman confided in me that she was adopted. I asked her to share her tale, to which she agreed. I mentioned that our team might be able to assist her and suggested she consider applying for the program, wishing her good fortune.’

When researchers tracked down her family members, Davina went to see her.

‘It’s such a joy. It was an emotional one… although I suppose they’re all emotional,’ she says.

Davina has made significant progress since her first television appearance on MTV’s music channel back in 1992. Over the years, she has presented numerous shows such as Big Brother, The Jump, My Mum Your Dad, and The Masked Singer. Her continued work as a presenter, now three decades later, brings both happiness and astonishment.

At the age of 47, she expressed her intention to retire by the time she turned 50. However, contrary to her belief that television would lead to her retirement, she’s found that it didn’t happen as expected. Instead, she’s still active.

It seems many television companies consider me capable in my role, likely due to my lengthy experience. Perhaps they view me as reliable, knowing my capabilities well. I aim to remain professional and deliver top-notch work on every task. I’m deeply thankful for continuing in this role because I adore it so much.

She tells me her television idol is Cilla Black.

‘She’s a trailblazer,’ says Davina. ‘She was the light for me.’

Similar to Davina, Cilla too had a knack for uniting people. In response, she confessed that she too enjoyed this immensely, much like myself.

Indeed, Cilla was famously recognized for her role as the matchmaker on Blind Date, serving as a bridge between the show’s single participants. In essence, it’s similar to Davina’s function as a relationship advisor for couples who get married on Stranded on Honeymoon Island.

So, I ask, having found new love with Michael, is she ready to walk down the aisle again herself?

‘We’re in no rush,’ she smiles. ‘We’re really happy.’

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2025-08-23 03:52