Davina McCall reveals shock health diagnosis after brain tumour as she urges women not to ignore symptoms
Davina McCall has revealed she has cardiovascular disease, urging women to take their heart health seriously and seek medical advice if something does not feel right.
The television presenter, 58, opened up about the diagnosis during the latest episode of her podcast, Begin Again, in which she joined forces with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to mark World Menopause Day.
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she → reveal → Day
Reflecting on her own health experiences, McCall admitted that falling ill had left her feeling more vulnerable than before.
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falling → reflect → her
She said: “Anyone can get sick and when I had my cancer experience, you just suddenly feel vulnerable in a way you weren’t before.
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you → say → way
“Once you’ve been ill, you think, ‘Oh, I thought I was invincible.’”
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Davina went on to disclose her cardiovascular disease diagnosis, although she did not share further details about her condition.
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she → go → condition
The former Big Brother presenter used the episode to highlight the importance of recognising the risks of cardiovascular disease, particularly for women following menopause.
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She said: “Heart attacks and cardiovascular disease is rife out there, particularly in women post menopause.
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attacks → say → menopause
“If there’s one takeaway today, it’s not to brush things off.
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Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and if something feels wrong, listen to your body.”
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something → get → body
The special episode featured heart attack survivor Louise McGill and cardiologist Dr Rouchelle Sriranjan-Rothwell, who discussed the symptoms women should look out for and the relationship between menopause and heart health.
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women → feature → menopause
Louise was just 45 when she suffered a heart attack, despite having recently undergone a health check and being considered at low risk.
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she → suffer → risk
During the podcast, she shared how she initially mistook her symptoms for indigestion before the experience changed her outlook on life.
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experience → share → life
Dr Sriranjan-Rothwell also explored why cardiovascular disease in women can be misunderstood and how research funded by the BHF is helping scientists identify heart disease earlier.
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scientists → explore → disease
Davina's latest revelation comes after a series of health challenges in recent years.
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In 2021, the presenter, who previously released a popular series of fitness videos, revealed she had high cholesterol and was at risk of heart disease.
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she → release → disease
At the time, she recalled her surprise at receiving the news, saying: “When they said I had high cholesterol, I just looked at my GP and asked if it was a mistake!”
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it → recall → GP
In late 2024, Davina revealed she had been diagnosed with a benign brain tumour.
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She underwent surgery to remove the tumour before subsequently revealing that she had breast cancer.
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she → undergo → cancer
The presenter announced in April that she was cancer-free, having received support throughout her treatment from her partner, Michael Douglas.
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she → announce → partner
The couple married in December last year before holding a second ceremony in July.
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couple → marry → July
Davina has previously spoken warmly about her husband's support during her illness, describing him as the “kindest, smartest” man she had ever known.
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Reflecting on their relationship, she said: “I can’t believe that I am at this ripe old age, with everything I’ve been through, and was lucky enough to experience it with him at my side.
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I → reflect → side
“He had just the right mix of real wisdom, knowing the right thing to say at the right time, but also just the right side of funny.”
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Davina shares three children, Holly, 24, Tilly, 22, and Chester, 19, with her former husband Matthew Robinson.
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Davina → share → husband
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