Beloved English TV presenter Davina McCall, 57, is currently recovering in intensive care after undergoing surgery to remove a rare benign brain tumor, known as a colloid cyst. Her partner, Michael Douglas, shared the update with fans on Friday evening (Nov 16), assuring everyone that the operation was successful.
“Davina is out of surgery, and according to the surgeon, it was textbook,” Douglas wrote. “She’s currently recovering in ICU as a precaution. As you can imagine, she’s utterly exhausted. Thanks so much for all the love from everyone on here… it’s powerful stuff; we are super grateful.”
A Period of Recovery
Douglas also informed McCall’s 1.9 million Instagram followers that she would remain offline during her recovery.
“@davinamccall will be ‘off grid’ for a bit while she recovers from this brain operation. She is in great shape and in very good hands,” he explained.
To keep fans updated, Douglas plans to occasionally post from McCall’s account.
“I’ll do the odd update from her account here for anyone interested. I’m sure she’ll read all the comments when she’s able to, so feel free to send love. The support of people is amazingly powerful.”
The Journey to Diagnosis
The discovery of McCall’s tumor came as an unexpected shock. In a heartfelt video message shared prior to her surgery, McCall revealed how a routine health scan led to the diagnosis.
“I thought I was going to ace it [the test]. But it turned out I had a benign brain tumor called a colloid cyst, which is very rare—three in a million,” she shared.
The tumor, described as “big” and measuring 14mm wide, required immediate attention.
“It needs to come out because if it grows, it would be bad,” she said, adding that while she initially delayed action, consultations with multiple neurosurgeons convinced her to proceed with the operation.
Understanding Colloid Cysts
Colloid cysts are a rare form of benign brain tumor. These non-cancerous growths develop in the brain and are often slow-growing. While they are unlikely to spread, their location and size can make them dangerous if left untreated.
Symptoms can include headaches, blackouts, behavioral changes, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Such tumors are more commonly found in individuals over the age of 50. Despite being benign, these tumors can be life-threatening if they obstruct the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
Davina McCall: A Trailblazer in Television and Advocacy
McCall’s illustrious career has made her a household name. She rose to fame as the host of the iconic reality TV show Big Brother and later won hearts with her work on Long Lost Family, My Mum, Your Dad, and charity telethons like Comic Relief and Sport Relief.
In addition to her television work, McCall has been a passionate advocate for women’s health, particularly menopause awareness. Her 2023 book on menopause, co-authored with Dr. Naomi Potter, won the top prize at the British Book Awards.
An Outpouring of Support
Fans and colleagues from across the globe have rallied to offer support and well-wishes for McCall’s recovery. Known for her resilience and positivity, McCall’s journey through this challenging time is being met with immense empathy from her community of supporters.
As Douglas aptly put it, “The support of people is amazingly powerful.”
