Davina McCall breaks down in tears at first public appearance following major brain surgery
The much-loved star has kept fans up-to-date with health battle
DAVINA McCall broke down in tears at her first public appearance following major brain surgery.
The 57-year-old presenter underwent an operation to remove a benign tumour last month.
Davina was diagnosed with a benign but very rare tumour purely by chance after being offered a scan a few months ago.
The Masked Singer star has now made her first public appearance since her operation.
It came when she attended an event at All Saints Church, Fulham to support her neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill, along with her boyfriend Michael Douglas.
Taking to the stage to make her speech, an emotional Davina said: “I’m crying already, that didn’t go well.”
Going on, she said: “I know lots of you here are on your own brain tumour journey and many of you have lost loved ones to a brain tumour.
“I lost my sister to a brain tumour in 2012 and my ex father in law a year ago.”
Thanking Davina for her attendance at the event, Brain Tumour Research Campaign posted: “What a truly magical Christmas celebration evening! A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event so special.’
“Our evening began with our incredible Chairman, Kevin O’Neill setting the tone with his warmth and passion.
“We were then moved by the inspiring words of the wonderful Davina McCall who shared her personal story with such courage and grace.
“Her message about the importance of funding for brain tumour research truly resonated with us all. Thank you, Davina, for being such a powerful voice for this cause.”
Meanwhile, Davina recently revealed how she gave her brain surgeon Kevin and her boyfriend Michael a fright after she woke from surgery.
Updating fans on her recovery, Davina said: “I thought I‘d do a catch-up post and out my surgeon.
“He is called Kevin O’Neill and he has been amazing.
“Trying to find someone who knew about colloid cysts and stuff was quite a challenge.
“Kevin came in as very experienced as a neurosurgeon, and he’d done another colloid cyst this year and he has been brilliant.
“Got the whole thing and I know I gave him and Mike a bit of a scare straight after the op because I was so confused but I am doing so well now.
“I just wanted to thank him and all the team for taking such really good care of me.
“Thank you and yeah, I am going to take you and the Mrs out for an amazing dinner.”
A craniotomy can take up to six hours and requires at least six weeks recovery.
Davina — mum to Holly, 23, Tilly, 21, and Chester, 18, from her former marriage to TV presenter Matthew Robertson — sought further medical advice before opting for a craniotomy.
The Masked Singer judge later told fans she is “getting stronger and stronger” every day.
Hairdresser Michael Douglas also shared promising news about when the popular star will return to work.
Speaking last week Davina’s boyfriend – who she has been with her since 2019 – said: “She’s quite tired atm.
“She sleeps really well at night and goes to bed at ten and
has nap in the morning, and sleeps for two or three hours in the afternoon.”
‘3 in 1m’ colloid cyst is benign
By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent
DAVINA’S brain tumour is a rare type of growth called a colloid cyst and is benign, meaning it is not cancerous.
It will not spread to other parts of her body so it is less dangerous than a malignant tumour.
Benign tumours often need removing because as they grow, they put pressure on important parts of the brain — potentially crushing nerves or cutting off the flow of blood.
Colloid cysts only affect about three in every one million people. They are thought to be present from birth and grow slowly over time.
The cysts may only be found once they cause symptoms — such as headaches and memory trouble — or during tests for other conditions.
Doctors often choose to watch and wait if the tumour is small or they may remove larger ones.
He went on: “It’s the way your brain heels is by resting.
“Her body is naturally forcing her to rest.
Speaking about when Davina will be returning to work, Michael said: “She’s off till mid January.
“She’s got a lot of time to relax and recuperate.
“It’s been a very very emotional and quite an incredible experience.
“We’re definitely out of the woods.”
