Davina McCall announces breast cancer diagnosis
The presenter revealed the news in a video posted on her Instagram account
Last updated 8th Nov 2025
Presenter Davina McCall has revealed she has had breast cancer and underwent surgery three weeks ago.
In a video posted to her Instagram account on Saturday morning, the 58-year-old said she was "very angry" when she found out but feels in a "much more positive place" following a lumpectomy.
Davina McCall said: "I have had breast cancer. I found a lump a few weeks ago. It came and went but then I was working on The Masked Singer and Lorraine, the TV show, and Lorraine Kelly had put signs on the backs of all the doors saying 'check your breasts' and every time I went for a wee I did that.
"It was still there, and then one morning I saw myself in the mirror and thought 'I'm going to get that looked at'.
"I had a biopsy. I found out it was indeed breast cancer and I had it taken out in a lumpectomy nearly three weeks ago."
The news follows the 58-year-old having surgery last year to remove a benign brain tumour, known as a colloid cyst, which was found after she was offered a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.
The former Big Brother presenter also thanked staff at the Royal Marsden hospital in London, along with her family, her "brilliant kids" and she sent an "extra special thanks" to her partner, hairdresser Michael Douglas.
"It's been a lot. I was very angry when I found out, but I let go of that, and I feel in a much more positive place now," she said.
"I think my message is, get checked if you're worried, check yourself regularly. If you are due a mammogram, then get it done. And I have dense breasts, and I had a mammogram in August, and I was postponing the ultrasound. I just couldn't find time to do it. Don't do that.
"Get the ultrasound, and thanks for watching. And I'm sending you all a massive hug."
The post received thousands of comments from friends and fans alike, praising the presenter and sending well wishes.
Among those were broadcaster Amanda Holden, writer Elizabeth Day and All Saints singer Nicole Appleton.
Pushing Daisies actress Anna Friel said: "Oh ... I am so sorry you are going through so much. You are shining and still smiling in the face of adversity. It's a lesson to us all."
Meanwhile, comedian Dawn French called her a "phenomenal woman" and said: "Blimey Davina! What a warrior you are. Must've been stressful."
According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women in the UK, although anyone get it, with those at higher risk including people over the age of 50, if you have dense breast tissue or have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Women are also more likely to get breast cancer if they have higher levels of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone which may occur if they started periods before they were 12, went through the menopause after turning 55, have not given birth, gave birth for the first time after 30 or did not breastfeed their children.
The NHS also said people may be at higher risk if they have used the contraceptive pill in the last 10 years or take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), although "these only slightly increase your risk and for many people the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks".
McCall is known for hosting Big Brother between 2000 and 2010 during its Channel 4 run, and has long advocated on women's health issues, including presenting documentaries on contraception and the menopause.
She has also co-presented BBC Comic Relief and Sport Relief, Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer, The Million Pound Drop, Long Lost Family and dating programme My Mum, Your Dad.