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Exclusive: Davina McCall breaks down as she makes first public appearance since brain tumour operation

The Masked Singer presenter attended a Christmas charity celebration with partner Michael Douglas and her neurosurgeon

Davina McCall has made her first public appearance since undergoing a brain op. She attended a Christmas event for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign charity – where she gave an emotional speech.

The presenter, 57, revealed earlier this month that she was having surgery to remove a colloid cyst, a rare fluid-filled benign tumour in her brain and has kept fans updated with her recovery. In a clip from the Thursday event, Davina tears up as she gives a short speech. “I’m crying already, that didn’t go well,” she said, stepping on to the stage. I lost my sis to a brain tumour in 2012,” she continued, before talking about her own diagnosis. She was at the event at All Saints Church, Fulham supporting her neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill.

Davina at the Christmas event with neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill and partner Michael Douglas
Davina at the Christmas event with neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill and partner Michael Douglas

 

Davina was all smiles at the Brain Tumour Research Campaign charity event
Davina was all smiles at the Brain Tumour Research Campaign charity eventEarlier this month the Masked Singer host explained how she worried boyfriend Michael Douglas, 49, as she woke up “confused” after the op – but has since been recovering well. Thanking Kevin on Instagram, she said: “I’m gonna out my surgeon. He is called Kevin O’Neill and he has been amazing. Trying to find somebody who knew about colloid cysts was quite a challenge. Kevin is very experienced as a neurosurgeon. He had done another colloid cyst this year. He has been brilliant. He got the whole thing.”

She continued: “I know I gave him and Mike 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 good care of me. I’m going to take you and your missus out for an amazing dinner, Kevin.”

The charity thanked mum-of-three Davina for her heartfelt speech. Posting pictures of a smiling Davina, they wrote: “We were then moved by the inspiring words of the wonderful @davinamccall 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.”

Davina McCall
Davina has given regular updates on her recovery

Davina McCall
She underwent the operation on November 15 for the benign tumour 
Image:
davinamccall/Instagram)Davina discovered her condition thanks to a health check as part of her menopause work. She has long advocated on women’s health issues, and presented documentaries on contraception and menopause. Davina had previously said she was feeling “stronger and stronger”. “I am feeling much better now that I’m home,” she posted on Instagram. “I’m being brilliantly looked after by Michael and Gaby, my [step]mum. I’m now just trying to sleep a lot and get better. My short-term memory is really improving a lot every day, and it has been an example to me of how much sleep helps me recover from everything.”

Mum-of-three Davina launched podcast Begin Again in October and is adamant she will continue. Hair stylist Michael, 47 – who has been dating Davina since 2017 – said she plans to resume work around mid-January.