Davina McCall recovering after brain tumour surgery

Television presenter Davina McCall is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a rare brain tumor, her partner Michael Douglas has confirmed. The 57-year-old star, known for her work on Big Brother and Long Lost Family, was diagnosed with a benign colloid cyst, a type of brain tumor that, while non-cancerous, can grow slowly and cause serious health issues if left untreated.

McCall first shared the news of her diagnosis with her 1.9 million Instagram followers, posting a video explaining how the tumor was discovered unexpectedly. “A few months ago, I did a menopause talk for a company, and they offered me a health scan in return,” she said. “I thought I was going to ace it, but it turned out I had a benign brain tumor called a colloid cyst, which is very rare—only three in a million people have it.”

The tumor, located in her brain, was 14mm wide and was affecting the space it occupied. McCall revealed that, after consulting multiple neurosurgeons, she decided to have it removed through a procedure known as a craniotomy, where a part of the skull is temporarily removed to access the tumor. “It needs to come out because if it grows, it could be dangerous,” she explained. “I have all the faith in the world in my surgeon, and I’m handing the reins over to him. I’m going to do the getting-better bit after.”

In an update shared Friday evening, McCall’s partner, Michael Douglas, confirmed that the surgery was a success and that McCall was recovering in hospital. He thanked supporters for their well-wishes and mentioned that McCall was “utterly exhausted” following the procedure. “She’s out of surgery and resting,” Douglas wrote. “We’re so grateful for all the love.”

Colloid cysts are fluid-filled cavities that typically form in the brain’s central structures, particularly the third ventricle. They are rare, accounting for less than 2% of all primary brain tumors. Many cases are discovered by chance during scans for other conditions, and in some cases, doctors may adopt a “watch and wait” approach if the cyst is small and asymptomatic. However, if these cysts grow large enough, they can obstruct the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), potentially leading to headaches, nausea, vision problems, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness, coma, or even sudden death.

Fortunately, McCall’s cyst had been detected in time, and the surgery was described as “textbook” by her medical team. She had previously assured her followers that she was not overly concerned. “I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m doing that enough myself,” she said before the surgery. “But I’m not worrying too much. I’m in a good space, and I have full confidence in my surgeon.”

The Brain Tumour Charity and Brainstrust, two organizations supporting people affected by brain tumors, expressed their support for McCall. Will Jones, Chief Executive of Brainstrust, said, “Brain tumors can affect anyone, and they are more common than people might think. We are grateful to Davina for sharing her story so openly. Her courage will help others feel less alone.”

McCall’s openness about her diagnosis has raised awareness of colloid cysts and the impact of brain tumors. The Brain Tumour Charity added that it hoped her story would inspire further funding for research into brain tumors, which affect more than 80,000 people in the UK alone.

McCall’s career has spanned decades, including her long tenure as the host of Big Brother and her role on ITV’s Long Lost Family. She is also known for her advocacy work on menopause awareness, particularly following her own experiences with the condition. In 2022, she co-wrote Menopausing, a best-selling book on the topic, which won the top prize at the British Book Awards. Her work has contributed to a surge in demand for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the UK, a phenomenon dubbed the “Davina effect” after the release of her Channel 4 documentary Sex, Myths and Menopause.

As McCall continues her recovery, fans and supporters have shown their gratitude for her willingness to share such a personal journey. Her positive attitude and commitment to raising awareness of both brain health and women’s health issues have only deepened her connection with the public. McCall, who is expected to spend several days recovering in hospital, has reassured her followers that she will be “doing the getting-better bit” as soon as possible.

Despite her health challenge, McCall’s contributions to television, her activism, and her advocacy work have made her a beloved figure in the UK, inspiring many with her strength and openness. As she focuses on her recovery, her supporters will undoubtedly be cheering her on every step of the way.