Davina McCall, 57, send sweet message to Emma Willis, 49, after presenter shares shock heart surgery news
Davina McCall has rushed to support fellow TV presenter Emma Willis following her recent heart surgery revelation.
The former Big Brother host, 57, was quick to offer her support after Willis shared news of her operation on social media.
McCall, who herself recently underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumour, commented on Willis’s Instagram post: “Oh Wow!!! @emmawillisofficial!! What a shocker!! Thinking of you all and sending you huge healing hug.”
The heartfelt message was accompanied by four red heart emojis.
McCall’s supportive response was one of many from celebrities reacting to Willis’s unexpected health news.
Emma Willis, 49, has revealed she underwent keyhole heart surgery after discovering she had been living with a heart defect her entire life.
The Birmingham-born presenter shared the surprising news with her two million Instagram followers on Wednesday night.
Willis explained she had been “pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware” of the hole in her heart.
The condition was discovered during medical investigations last year, leading to her recent surgery.
Willis, who took over from McCall as Big Brother host when the show moved from Channel 4 to Channel 5, thanked staff at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for their care following her diagnosis.
Willis shared a series of photos with her post, including one showing her in a hospital gown with hands on her hip.
Another image captured her resting her head on husband Matt Willis’ shoulder.
A third photo showed her in her hospital bed connected to ECG and blood pressure monitors.
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In her heartfelt message, Willis wrote: “A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud.”
She praised her husband Matt who “never left my side” throughout the ordeal.
Willis expressed amazement at “the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day.”
Willis particularly praised her surgeon, Dr Ee Ling Heng, who was recommended as a “spectacular pair of hands”.
“She has an ease and warmth that made me feel instantly comfortable all whilst being incredible professional and informative,” Willis wrote.
She added: “I knew as soon as we met that she was the woman I wanted poking around in my heart.”
The NHS notes that symptoms of a hole in the heart can include rapid heartbeat, extreme tiredness and a blue tinge to the skin or lips.
Some defects are noticeable at birth while others develop later in life.
Mild cases often don’t require treatment, but more serious defects may need surgery.
Several other celebrities also offered their support to Willis on her Instagram post.
Spice Girls icon Melanie Chisholm commented: “Bl**** hell! Sending lots of love. Already knew you were a super woman but wow, watch out for Willis version 2.0!”
Vocal coach Yvie Burnett wrote: “So glad it’s all done and you are on the mend. Much love.”
Giovanna Fletcher, wife of McFly’s Tom Fletcher, added: “Love you treacle!!! Strongest of hearts – even when that hole was there!!
“Imagine the strength of your heart now these legends have worked on it!!!” (sic)