View 3 Images

Davina McCall tells fans ‘you saved me’ in emotional outburst after health battle(Image: Begin Again with Davina McCall)

Marking 12 months since launching her Begin Again with Davina McCall YouTube chatshow, the former Big Brother host emotionally expressed gratitude to her supporters, revealing that the podcast had “saved” her.

Looking back on the “incredible journey” of the past year, she said: “We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve grown together.”

Discussing a difficult year which included surgery for breast cancer—nearly a year after an operation to remove a brain cyst—Davina, 58, explained how interviewing guests for the podcast had helped preserve her mental wellbeing.

“I’ve been on quite a massive personal journey,” she said, “and coming here every week has at times kept me sane. And it’s meant a lot. This podcast has saved me … I’ve begun again.”

Wisdom and humour from guests including Jamie Oliver, Penny Lancaster and Katie Piper have helped Davina rebuild her life following such a difficult chapter.

View 3 Images

Davina announced earlier this week she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after spotting a lump early(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

After being diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour that can potentially “cause sudden death,” Davina admitted she was furious. “I was like, ‘How dare you control my daily life like this and make me feel every day like I’m in danger?’” she told entrepreneur and fellow podcaster Steven Bartlett during his appearance on her programme.

“I felt like this thing had taken control of me and I was so angry about that,” she added. She went on to describe confronting the reality of her situation: “I did go and address my will and make sure that was airtight. I talked to [her partner] Michael about my wishes. I wrote letters of wishes to all the children and put those in my will.”

Following successful surgery in November 2024, Davina felt rejuvenated — only to face another setback this year when she discovered a lump in her breast.

View 3 Images

Davina McCall(Image: Begin Again with Davina McCall)

She explained: “It was very, very small, so I got it very, very early, which is incredibly lucky. But I am so relieved to have had it removed and to know that it hasn’t spread.”

After her lumpectomy at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, Davina expressed her gratitude to the medical staff and urged women to get their breasts checked.

Addressing her 2.1 million followers on Instagram, she said: “I’m talking about this because I think it might help someone. And this is what I always do.”

In an emotional conclusion to this week’s message, a tearful Davina told viewers: “I love you all, my gang … and I love our guests. You make me cry,” she added.