When talking openly about addiction, bereavement, and her divorce from her ex-husband Matthew Robertson, Davina McCall, 55, acknowledges that drugs filled “a hole in her heart.”

Davina McCall, aged 55, has openly discussed her experience with drugs, revealing that they helped fill an emotional void left by her late mother Florence Kock. In a comprehensive interview, the television presenter acknowledged her struggles with addiction, recounting how she found solace in therapy and sobriety after overcoming her dependence on substances at the age of 25. The interview also touched upon her journey through grief, following the loss of her sister Caroline to lung cancer 11 years ago, the passing of her grandmother Pippy five years ago, and the recent death of her father due to Alzheimer’s.

In addition, the conversation delved into the dissolution of her marriage and subsequent separation from her former husband Matthew Robertson in 2017. Speaking about her partner Michael Douglas, with whom she shares a 20-year friendship that blossomed into a romantic relationship, Davina referred to him as “the icing on her life.”

During her extensive dialogue with The Times, Davina candidly explored her well-documented struggles with addiction, articulating, “I had a void here [gesturing to her heart], and drugs filled that gap.” She described a process of self-healing, wherein therapy sessions acted like pieces of tape gradually covering those emotional voids. Although she expressed a sense of healing, she remains vigilant, affirming her commitment to abstaining from alcohol and her newfound appreciation for sobriety.

Regarding grief, Davina admitted that receiving an MBE for her contributions to broadcasting was bittersweet, as the three individuals who would have been most elated about the honor have all passed away. The interview further shed light on her marriage to Matthew, whom she wed in 2000 and shares three children with. Davina revealed that they were living separate lives, devoid of arguments but lacking in happiness. Her sister’s passing in 2012 prompted her to reevaluate her life, leading her to realize that her pursuit of happiness was not selfish.

After undergoing intensive therapy to unpack her emotions, Davina came to the conclusion that despite their love for each other, the marriage wasn’t fulfilling. She also shared her current contentment in a romantic relationship with her longtime hairdresser, Michael Douglas, who has two children of his own. Davina emphasized that Michael enhances her life, but her sense of fulfillment is rooted in a broader context beyond career and material possessions.