Davina McCall has revealed she’s undergoing brain surgery today to remove a benign tumour.
The TV presenter, 57, shared the news in an Instagram post, saying she has a ‘very rare’ colloid cyst that affects only three in a million people.
She explained that she received the diagnosis by chance after booking in for a ‘health scan’.
Davina said in a video: ‘I was offered a health scan which I thought I was going to ace but it turned out I had benign brain tumour which is very rare, three in a million.
‘I slightly put my head in the sand for a while, I saw a few neurosurgeons, had quite a lot of opinions and realised I needed to take it out.
‘It’s quite big, it’s 14mm wide and it needs to come out because if it grows it would be bad. I’m having it removed.’
She added: ‘Say a prayer for me. I’m in good spirits.’
Davina explained that while she was at no immediate risk, doctors were concerned that the tumour could grow larger and cause complications.
Davina McCall has revealed she’s undergoing brain surgery to remove a benign tumour today, sharing the news with her 1.8 million Instagram followers
She revealed she had been feeling ‘up and down’ and explained she would be in hospital for at least nine days before coming home.
While she has known of the diagnosis for a few months, Davina hasn’t allowed it to slow her down and she was pictured last week enjoying a night out at Garnier’s celebration hair mask party.
A colloid cyst is a slow-growing tumour typically found near the center of the brain. The benign growth contains gelatinous material.
Most patients present with headaches, although other symptoms including vertigo, memory problems and double vision can occur.
If large enough, a colloid cyst obstructs the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain which leads to a high risk of sudden death.
Davina’s partner Michael Douglas uploaded the video for her, captioning the post: ‘Hey everyone. Michael here. She will be “off grid” for a bit while she recovers from this brain operation.
‘She is in great shape and in very good hands. I’ll do the odd update from her account here for anyone interested.
Davina said in a video – which featured a cameo from boyfriend Michael Douglas: ‘I was offered a health scan which I thought I was going to ace but it turned out I had benign brain tumour’
While she has known of the diagnosis for a few months, Davina hasn’t allowed it to slow her down and she was pictured last week enjoying a night out at a Garnier party
Davina is passionate about health and fitness and is in the shape of her life after devoting herself to ritualistic daily workouts
‘I’m sure she’ll read all the comments when she’s able to so feel free to send love ❤️ . The support of people is amazingly powerful. Have a great day everyone. Michael xxx’.
Following her announcement, celebrities including Amanda Holden, bokep Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis reached out to the presenter.
Holly Willoughby wrote: ‘I’m sending you all the love and then a whole lot more’.
Dame Denise commented: ‘Love you darling. You’ve got this. See you on the other side of the op’, while Amanda said: ‘Sending so much love.’
Ashley Roberts typed: ‘All the love gorgeous one. Sending all the healing vibes. Love you.’
Fellow bandmate, Kimberly Wyatt said: ‘Oh babe, thinking about you – I can only imagine what you must be feeling.
‘Keeping you in my heart and on my mind, take it easy lovely one.’
Former Holby City star Lisa Faulkner added: ‘Sending all my love to you. Best wishes and all positive prayers for a speedy recovery.’
BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac described McCall as a “gorgeous woman” and said she was sending “every ounce of love”.
Another fellow presenter Rylan, who won the 11th series of Celebrity Big Brother and later presented spin-off Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, also replied: ‘We’re all thinking of you beautiful.’
Davina has been dating celebrity hairdresser Michael, 49, for five years and though the pair are blissfully happy, they have no plans to walk down the aisle together.
With the pair having both been married before, Davina explained that they didn’t need to ‘rock the boat’ by tying the knot, insisting that for now, marriage is ‘off the table’.
Speaking to The Sun, she responded ‘no’ both times when asked if she was engaged to Michael or planned to marry down the line.
Giving her reasons for her refusal, she went on: ‘That’s not even on the table, it’s just not. He’s been [married before] so we both just feel like we are happy, let’s not rock the boat. Let’s just keep things on the down-low.