Davina has revealed why her cancer diagnosis forced a major rethink of her life.

Davina McCall has revealed she is stepping back from full-time work after a “frightening” breast cancer diagnosis forced her to reassess her life, health and career. The 58-year-old presenter opened up about the decision on the Miss Me? podcast, admitting that two major health scares in quick succession proved to be a stark wake-up call. Davina was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2024 before later discovering a lump in her breast.

Reflecting on her relationship with change, Davina said: “Change is something that all my life, I spent running away from. I absolutely hated it. Change was something that really frightened me. I always loved the status quo, knowing what I was doing and feeling safe in that.” The TV star has maintained a punishing workload for more than 30 years, fronting major shows including Big Brother, The Masked Singer, Long Lost Family and ITV’s My Mum, Your Dad. But she admitted her mindset has shifted dramatically.

Davina married hairdresser Michael Douglas last month in a low-key London ceremony (Image: Getty)

She said: “What has happened, actually, is that I have realised that all my really big growth has come from change — and often quite painful change.”

Davina previously underwent a six-hour operation to remove a colloid cyst from her brain in 2024, spending several days in intensive care before doctors described her recovery as remarkable. At the time, she said the ordeal made her realise she needed to reduce stress in her life.

She explained: “I had another huge breakthrough after I had my brain tumour removed. I realised that I needed to de-stress my life.”

However, it was her later breast cancer diagnosis that finally forced her to act. Davina revealed last November that she found the lump herself after noticing a change and getting it checked.

The 14mm growth was discovered during a health scan offered through her menopause advocacy work.

She said: “Interestingly, I realised that — but then the breast cancer, which I thought was a very, very frightening thing, made me realise that I really, really had to put that into place. And I have now.”

Following a successful lumpectomy and preventive radiotherapy, Davina confirmed that she is now reducing her workload.

She said: “I’m going to work a four-day week. I feel so much better now about my life and trying to get it more balanced.”

Davina added: “So now, really, as I hit this stage of my life, I want to take more care of myself. That is my latest project: me, because I can’t take care of anyone else if I’m not okay.”

Away from work, Davina married hairdresser Michael Douglas last month in a low-key London ceremony, two months after a surprise Ibiza engagement. She has said the experience of serious illness strengthened their relationship.

Davina shares three children – Holly, 24, Tilly, 22, and Chester, 19 – with ex-husband Matthew Robertson, whom she divorced in 2017.

Despite stepping back, she has made clear she is not retiring – but her health now comes first.