Davina McCall has been through one of the toughest chapters of her life, facing two major health battles back-to-back.
After undergoing brain surgery in 2024 and, more recently, breast cancer surgery, the presenter is easing her way back into normality with the determination she’s known for.
Even now, while still healing, she’s already lacing up her trainers again—because stopping has never really been her style.
Getting Back on Her Feet After Surgery
Just weeks after having a lumpectomy, Davina surprised fans by sharing that she’d quietly slipped back into running.
Fitness has long been her anchor, and at 58, she’s not letting a difficult year derail that routine.
Her love of exercise grew out of the life she rebuilt after overcoming addiction, and she’s stayed committed for more than three decades.
The Health Shock That Came Out of Nowhere
About a year ago, Davina revealed she had a colloid cyst—an unusual kind of brain tumour.
Doctors operated for six hours to remove the 14mm growth, a procedure she spoke about with remarkable bravery.
Nearly twelve months later, in early November, another blow landed: she discovered a lump in her breast while filming The Masked Singer.
The diagnosis that followed—a little over six weeks before she told the world—confirmed breast cancer.
Thankfully, the tumour was caught early, and doctors were able to remove it successfully.
She’s now waiting for radiotherapy, relieved to hear she has been given the all-clear.
Nutrition, Habits, and the Food She Keeps Close
True to her honest nature, Davina has shared plenty about how she fuels herself, especially now that her body needs extra care.
Her fridge is typically packed with colourful vegetables, leftovers from family meals, and edamame beans she snacks on often.
She’s upfront about her choices—healthy or not—and admits she doesn’t shy away from the occasional indulgence.
Her pantry is a mix of wholesome staples and everyday convenience foods: grains, nuts, noodles, popcorn, both wholemeal and regular pasta.
Though she avoids cured meats herself, she keeps some on hand because her children like them.
What She Eats in a Day
She rotates between three go-to breakfasts—granola with honey (her “good” one), porridge, or a simple crumpet with butter.
For lunch, she might toss halloumi in a pan, warm sweetcorn with a small pat of butter, and pile everything onto lettuce leaves for a makeshift wrap.
Dinner tends to be quick but hearty: chicken fillets, corn on the cob, potatoes, broccoli—nothing fancy, just real food made in half an hour.
Evening cravings are her weak spot, she admits with a laugh.
Her solution? A couple squares of dark chocolate and a calming purple tea.
Overcoming the Past and Staying Grounded
Davina has spoken for years about her younger struggle with drugs—including heroin, weed, and speed—before going completely sober at 25.
Therapy played a huge part in her recovery, and she has remained teetotal for more than 30 years.
She’s often described herself as strict with her habits, a mindset that has guided her through countless life changes.
Her Realistic Approach to Fitness
Although people assume she spends hours in the gym, Davina insists she rarely trains longer than thirty minutes, usually two to four times a week.
It’s all about efficiency now—strength training with her 0.5kg gloves, 5–6kg dumbbells, and occasionally a weighted vest.
After her brain surgery, she eased back into running through Couch to 5k, and now she’s celebrating completing her first post-lumpectomy jog.
She shared a beaming selfie in a red beanie, proud, relieved, and ready to keep going.
Opening Up to Help Others
She chose to speak publicly about her diagnosis because she knows how easily symptoms can be ignored.
She recalled finding the lump, how it seemed to disappear and then return, and how a reminder on the back of a studio toilet door pushed her to get checked.
Her biopsy confirmed the cancer, and the surgery followed quickly.
Davina says she’s grateful for the early detection and hopes that being open about her experience encourages others to pay attention to their own bodies.
Looking Forward With Optimism
With radiotherapy ahead and the toughest hurdles behind her, Davina is leaning on her routines—her children, her workouts, her cooking, the small moments that remind her life is still full.
She’s been knocked down twice in two years, but she’s getting up again with the same steady resilience that has defined her for decades.
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