What Davina McCall Told Her Children Before Going In For Brain Surgery Will Break You

Discovering you have a brain tumor ranks among the most terrifying diagnoses anyone can receive, even when doctors classify it as benign.

The word “surgery” carries weight on its own, but when it involves your brain…the organ that controls everything about who you are…the stakes feel impossibly high.

For someone in the public eye like Davina McCall, that fear played out while millions watched and offered support.

Last November, the former Big Brother host shared news that shocked her fanbase. A routine health scan, something she’d expected to pass easily, revealed a 14mm colloid cyst that would require surgical removal.

McCall was characteristically open about the diagnosis, posting a video explaining the situation and what came next.

The procedure went well; her partner later described it as “textbook, but the weeks leading up to surgery were filled with the kind of preparation nobody wants to do.

During a recent episode of her Begin Again podcast, McCall opened up about those preparations in detail.

She didn’t shy away from discussing the darker possibilities, including the conversations she had with doctors about risks like stroke, epilepsy, and brain bleeds.

At 57, she knew she couldn’t ignore those possibilities, no matter how much she trusted her surgical team.

So she did what any parent would do when facing uncertain odds: she made sure her children would have something from her, no matter what happened in that operating room.

McCall's Tumor was discovered unexpectedly

Samir Hussein/WireImage

McCall's tumor discovery came unexpectedly after she delivered a talk about menopause for a company that offered her a complimentary health scan as thanks.

She said: "A few months ago, I did a menopause talk for a company, and they offered me a health scan in return, which I thought I was going to ace, but it turned out I had a benign brain tumour called a colloid cyst, which is very rare."

The 14mm growth needed immediate attention before it could enlarge and cause more serious complications. Surgery became inevitable, and despite the benign classification, the procedure carried significant risks that McCall couldn't ignore.

Doctors recommended surgery as soon as possible after the 14mm tumour was discovered on her brain

Speaking on her podcast with host Steven Bartlett, McCall walked through the medical realities she faced: "When I'd spoken to the doctors, they talked about things like stroke, epilepsy, these being risks. Nicking an artery or a blood vessel in the brain and having a bleed… so there were a lot of things that could be a risk. And obviously, because of my age, you know, I'm 57. That was another thing that mattered to me. I said, 'Look, I've got to plan for it if it doesn't go according to plan.'"

Those conversations with doctors forced her to confront worst-case scenarios. Brain surgery, regardless of how skilled the surgeon, always carries the possibility of catastrophic complications.

McCall approached this reality practically, working with her partner Michael Douglas to ensure everything was in order.

The preparations included updating legal documents and having difficult conversations, but the most emotionally devastating task involved her three children: Holly, Tilly, and Chester, whom she shares with ex-husband Matthew Robertson.

McCall added: "I did go and address my Will and make sure that was airtight. I talked to Michael about my wishes. I wrote letters of wishes to all the children, and put those in my Will."

She wrote letters to her children before having surgery

Begin Again with Davina McCall

Writing those letters must have been unbearable. Imagining what you'd want your children to know if you never got another chance to speak to them requires confronting your own mortality in the most intimate way possible. Yet McCall did it, ensuring that if something went wrong during surgery, her kids would still have her words.

Despite these dark preparations, she entered the operating room with remarkable peace. She also added that she fully trusted her surgeon and went into the procedure feeling at peace, thinking: "'Everything will be okay, whatever happens.' And it felt like I'd climbed a mountain, but it was a good mountain to climb."

The surgery ultimately succeeded, with Douglas later confirming the procedure went exactly as planned. Prior to going under, McCall received overwhelming support from fans and fellow celebrities.

Former Pop Idol judge Nicki Chapman wrote: "You and I have chatted about this day… You are in amazing hands with your surgeon and the team. Everyone loves you. Thank you for not only being a brave girl but for sharing your condition. You will help sooooo many other people, big hugs. 30-second rule. See you soon, N."

Author and former Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac said: "You gorgeous woman. Sending every ounce of love."

McCall's willingness to share these intimate details offers a glimpse into what it means to face major surgery with grace while also being brutally realistic about the risks. \

Writing goodbye letters to your children just in case is the kind of preparation nobody should have to make, yet it's what responsible parents do when facing uncertain outcomes. Her story ended well, but the emotional weight of those pre-surgery days stays with her.

For anyone facing similar medical challenges, her openness might provide comfort knowing they're not alone in those dark thoughts.

What would you want your loved ones to know if you faced a similar situation? Share your reflections in the comments.