Davina McCall fights back tears on Comic Relief as she reflects on brain tumour ordeal: ‘Hardest thing I’ve ever been through’
Davina McCall broke down in tears during Friday night’s Comic Relief as she opened up about her brain tumour surgery.
The 57-year-old presenter became visibly emotional whilst reflecting on the operation she underwent just four months ago.
“I had a pretty mad year this year. Doctors found a benign brain tumour, by chance, and after a lot of deliberating, I had it removed,” she told viewers.
McCall struggled to contain her emotions as she delivered the heart-wrenching update on-air.
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“It’s been, quite possibly, the hardest thing I’ve ever been through,” she admitted, her voice cracking with emotion.
The presenter reflected her ordeal had: “Made me really think deeply about what life is all about and what really, really natters when things get tough.”
“I needed the brilliance and the skill of lots of experts to make me okay,” she continued.
However, the 57-year-old broke down as she discussed the toll of her health woes.
“I needed the love and support of… sorry,” stuttered and paused, overcome with feeling.
McCall took a moment to collect herself as others off screen offered help.
“No, no. I’m good. Thanks guys,” she tearfully assured.
The presenter was celebrated with applause as she concluded: “… of my friends and my family.”
McCall underwent surgery in November 2024 to remove a benign brain tumour known as a colloid cyst.
The 14mm tumour was discovered by chance when she was offered a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.
A colloid cyst is a rare, non-cancerous tumour filled with a thick gel-like substance, affecting just three in a million people.
The presenter endured a six-hour operation on November 15 to remove the growth from her brain.
Following the procedure, McCall spent three days in intensive care before remaining at London’s Cleveland Clinic for a further five days.
Had the cyst remained untreated, McCall faced serious risks including being “unable to retain a short-term memory beyond five minutes”. There was also a one percent chance of her dying suddenly without warning.
Four months after her surgery, McCall has shared that she feels “exactly the same” despite the life-changing experience.
“Obviously it changes [things]. You have a new look on life, gratitude, love for people, love for nature, love for architecture – everything looks beautiful,” she explained.
The presenter is now back at work and making good progress in her recovery.
“Now I’m back to work and everything’s beginning to work again. I’m beginning to process it a lot more, in a good way,” she revealed.