
Davina McCall, 57, insists she's 'not scared of dying anymore' in powerful confession following life-changing brain tumour
The TV presenter, 57, who is now in the all clear, admitted the life-changing tumour has given her a new lease of life as she no longer fears dying.
Davina was diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumour in November and underwent a six-hour operation.
Her brain tumour forced Davina to have difficult conversations with her family in case she never woke up from the operation.
Speaking at Fearne Cotton 's Happy Place Festival at Gunnersby Park over the weekend, Davina explained how it has shifted her perspective on life.
'I am not afraid of dying anymore and it was the biggest journey of my life from August 2023 to November 2024', she admitted.
The TV presenter, who is now in the all clear , admitted the life-changing tumour has given her a new lease of life as she no longer fears dying (pictured in March)
'I want to help people on their deathbed on my Begin Again podcast now so they can say "I have lived the life I wanted and not think things like "I wish I had not done that job. I wished I had not stayed in this relationship".
'Sometimes I feel like there are other powers at play. All the fear that comes around the word "tumour". Fearne and I understood each other at that time.
'I mean, it's a really amazing place to get to, not being scared of dying. I think having no regrets and feeling like you are living fully in the life you want to be in, it's quite rare.'
Last month, discussing her recent health battle, Davina explained to Women's Health: 'When I got this brain tumour I said to [my partner] Michael, "If I make it, this will be the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."'
Continuing her positive outlook following the devastating ordeal, Davina insisted she would 'not change anything'.
She continued: 'Without sounding arrogant I now love myself. I have been on a massive life journey and I have been through terrible struggles.
'That is where the learning comes from. If something rally hard happens now I know it is a good thing.
'The learning that I have made in the past two years has been so immense and enriching. I would not change it for the world.
'Obviously when it happened it was like calamity but to not be afraid of disasters that will make you a better person.'
Davina appeared in a video with her partner Michael Douglas, where she confirmed she had received the all clear after undergoing an MRI scan.
The TV personality also shared unseen before and after snaps from her scan revealing that the tumour has completely disappeared from her brain.
Accompanying the video, Davina wrote: 'So here it is. Our final brain surgery update. Had the final MRI this week. @brain.surgeon.uk got everything out during surgery, it's not coming back.
'Thanks so so much to everyone at @onewelbeck and @clevelandclinic . To my mum and @mdlondon for taking such good care of me . To Sarah for being my BFF to my amazing kids. To @brain.surgeon.uk for being the GOAT.
'I am so so grateful particularly because I know a lot of people have inoperable tumours and and I know I'm lucky to be able to draw a line under this and move on with my life when so many people can't. And I'm just gonna say this one more time. Benign does not mean fine.'
She told how she had her final MRI and admitted that she was nervous' as if any of the tumour was left that it would grow back and she'd have to 'go through the whole thing again'.
She noted that she'd 'mentally prepared herself' for that scenario, while Michael added that he too was nervous as it had been 'a huge journey'.
Laughing with joy and relief, Davina then added: 'but it was clear!'
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BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
BBC pay 2024-2025: The full list of star salaries
The BBC has published the salaries of its highest-paid stars as part of its annual of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who departed in May after apologising for reposting a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration considered antisemitic, was again the corporation's top earner in the region of £1,350,000 - £1,354,99 - the same amount as the previous is followed by former Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball, who also left her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December - three quarters of the way through the financial year meaning her salary is lower than last year - but having already earned approximately £515,000 - £519,999. In May, she began hosting a Saturday show on the same of the Day pundit Alan Shearer, in third place, took home £440,000 - £444,999, while in fourth, Radio 1 presenter Greg James received £425,000 - £429,999. Fifth on the list is Question Time host Fiona Bruce who earned £410,000 - £414,999. The wages of all three increased year-on-year. Some famous BBC faces such as Rylan Clark, Claudia Winkleman, David Mitchell and Rob Brydon don't make the list as the BBC does not have to disclose the salaries of stars who are paid through production companies like BBC Studios , which is classed as a commercial entity. Who's missing from the BBC salaries list, and why?BBC pay 2023-2024: The full list of star salariesHere are the list of presenters who earned more than £178,000, according to the BBC's ▼, ▲ and ➤ icons show whether their salary has moved up, down or remained the same. A ★ icon represents a presenter making a new appearance or re-entry onto the list. ➤ Gary Lineker - £1,350,000 - £1,354,99Match of the Day, Premier League, FA Cup, Sports Personality of the Year2023/2024: £1,350,000-£1,354,9992022/2023: £1,350,000-£1,354,9992021/2022: £1,350,000-£1,354,999▼Zoe Ball - £515,000 - £519,999Radio 2's Zoe Ball Breakfast Show2023/2024: £950,000-£954,9992022/2023: £980,000-£984,9992021/2022: £980,000-£984,999▲Alan Shearer - £440,000 - £444,999 Match of the Day: Premier League, FA Cup2023/2024: £380,000-£384,9992022/2023: £445,000-£449,9992021/2022: £450,000-£454,999▲Greg James - £425,000 - £429,999Radio 1 Breakfast Show2023/2024: £415,000- £419,9992022/2023: £395,000- £399,9992021/2022: £390,000-£394,999▲Fiona Bruce - £410,000 - £414,999Question Time and presenting on BBC One2023/2024: 405,000 - £409,0002022/2023: £395,000-£399,9992021/2022: £410,000-£414,999▲Nick Robinson - £410,000 - £414,999Radio 4's Today programme, Radio 4's Political Thinking podcast2023/2024: £345,000 - £349,0002022/2023: £275,000 - £279,9992021/2022: £270,000-£274,999➤Stephen Nolan - £405,000 - £409,999The Nolan Show on Radio Ulster, Nolan Live on BBC One (Northern Ireland), The Stephen Nolan Show on 5 Live2023/2024: £405,000-£409,9992022/2023: £400,000-£404,9992021/2022: £415,000-£419,999▲Laura Kuenssberg - £395,000 - £399,999Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, documentary series2023/2024: £325,000 - £329,9992022/2023: £305,000 - £309,9992021/2022: £260,000-£264,999▲Vernon Kay - £390,000 - £394,999Radio 2 mid-morning show, Radio 2's Dance Sounds of the 90s2023/2024: £320,000 - £324,999▲Justin Webb - £365,000 - £369,999Radio 4's Today programme, Americast podcast2023/2024: £320,000 – 324,9992022/2023: £280,000 - £284,9992021/2022: £255,000-£259,999 ▲Scott Mills - £355,000 - £359,999Radio 2 early afternoon show and now breakfast show, plus Pop Top 10 on BBC Sounds and other appearances.2023/2024: £315,000 - £319,9992022/2023: £300,000 - £304,9992021/2022: £400,000-£404,999▲Naga Munchetty - £355,000 - £359,999BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live's Naga Munchetty Programme, UK general election2023/2024: £345,000 - £349,9992022/2023: £335,000 - £339,9992021/2022: £365,000-£369,999▲Sophie Raworth - £350,000 - £354,999BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten. UK General Election2023/2024: £325,000 - £329,9992022/2023: £365,000 - £369,9992021/2022: £305,000-£309,999▲Clive Myrie - £335,000 - £339,999BBC News at One, Six and Ten and UK General Election, Music Matters on Radio 3.2023/2024: £310,000 - £314,9992022/2023: £285,000 - £289,9992021/2022: £255,000-£259,999▼Mishal Husain - 325,000 - £329,999Radio 4's Today programme, BBC One presenting, Today debates for Radio 4 and other projects. UK General Election debates2023/2024: £340,000 - £344,9992022/2023: £315,000 - £319,9992021/2022: £275,000-£279,999▲Mark Chapman - £325,000 - £329,999Radio 5 Live Sport, Match of the Day 2, Challenge Cup, European Football Championships, Olympics2023/2024: £260,000 - £264,9992022/2023: £325,000 - £329,9992021/2022: £250,000-£254,999▲Amol Rajan - £315,000 - £319,999Radio 4's Today programme, Amol Rajan Interviews, Radio 4's Rethink, The Today Podcast2023/2024: £310,000 - £314,9992022/2023: £335,000 - £339,9992021/2022: £325,000-£329,999▲Jeremy Vine - £310,000 - £314,99Radio 2 shows and News Election shows2023/2024: £285,000 - £289,9992022/2023: £285,000 - £289,9992021/2022: £290,000-£294,999▼Sara Cox - £310,000 - £314,99Radio 2 early evening show. Various other engagements across public service2023/2024: £315,000 – 319,9992022/2023: £285,000 - £289,9992021/2022: £275,000-£279,999▲Nicky Campbell - £300,000 - £304,999Radio 5 Live Nicky Campbell Show, Different2023/2024: £295,000 - £299,9992022/2023: £295,000 - £299,9992021/2022: £295,000-£299,999▲Evan Davis - £300,000 - £304,999Radio 4's PM and Radio 4's The Bottom Line2023/2024: £290,000 - £294,9992022/2023: £280,000 - £284,9992021/2022: £270,000-£274,999▲Reeta Chakrabarti - £300,000 - £304,999News at One, Six and Ten. UK General Election2023/2024: £270,000 - £274,9992022/2023: £215,000 - £219,9992021/2022: £200,000-£204,999▲Ros Atkins: £295,000 - £299,999Analysis Editor, The Media Show2023/2024: £290,000 - £294,9992022/2023: £260,000 - £264,999▲Tina Daheley - £295,000 - £299,99Radio 2 Breakfast Show, cover for Jeremy Vine, BBC One News Bulletins, BBC Breakfast2023/2024: £270,000 - £274,9992022/2023: £240,000 - £244,999*Emma Barnett - £285,000 - £289,999Presentation days, Woman's Hour and multiplatform interviews▼Victoria Derbyshire - £275,000 - £279,999Newsnight, Ukrainecast podcast2023/2024: £295,000 - £299,9992022/2023: £295,000 - £299,9992021/2022: £240,000-£244,999▲Chris Mason - £270,000 - £274,999Political editor2023/2024: £260,000 - £264,9992022/2023: £225,000 - £229,999▲Jeremy Bowen - £260,000 - £264,99International Editor2023/2024: £240,000 - £244,9992022/2023: £230,000 - £234,9992021/2022: £230,000-£234,999▲Sarah Montague - £250,000 - £254,999Radio 4's World at One, HARDtalk cover, multiplatform interviews2023/2024: £245,000 - £249,9992022/2023: £245,000 - £249,9992021/2022: £245,000-£249,999▲Trevor Nelson - £245,000 - £249,999Radio 2's Rhythm Nation, plus other shows on Radio 2 and 1Xtra and other engagements2023/2024: £235,000 - £239,9992022/2023: £240,000 - £244,9992021/2022: £210,000-£214,999▲Katya Adler - £240,000 - £244,999Europe Editor, The Global Story podcast2023/2024: £230,000 - £234,9992022/2023: £225,000 - £229,9992021/2022: £215,000-£219,999Jon Kay – £240,000 - £244,999BBC Breakfast, Radio 4 Pick of the Week, Radio 4 Saturday Live, Radio 4 Podcast Fairy Meadow, UK General Election2023/2024: £225,000 - £229,999▼Faisal Islam - £235,000 - £239,999Economics editor, Newsnight cover2023/2024: £260,000 - £264,9992022/2023: £230,000 - £234,9992021/2022: £240,000-£244,999▲Fergal Keane - £235,000 - £239,999Special Correspondent2023/2024: £225,000 - £229,9992022/2023: £215,000 - £219,9992021/2022: £210,000-£214,999▲Rick Edwards – £235,000 - £239,9995 Live Breakfast Show, Fighting Talk, 5 Live Football coverage2023/2024: £215,000 - £219,9992022/2023: £178,000 - £184,999▼Jo Whiley - £230,000 - £234,999Radio 2 evening show, and other engagements2023/2024: £245,000 - £249,9992022/2023: £230,000 - £234,9992021/2022: £265,000-£269,999▼Jason Mohammad - £230,000 - £234,999Daily BBC Wales programme, Final Score, Radio 2's Good Morning Sunday2023/2024: £245,000 - £249,9992022/2023: £255,000 - £259,9992021/2022: £285,000-£289,999▲Sarah Smith - £230,000 - £234,999North America Editor2023/2024: £225,000 - £229,9992022/2023: £220,000 - £224,999 ▼Simon Jack - £225,000 - £229,999Business Editor, Radio 4 Today cover, podcasts2023/2024: £240,000 - £244,9992022/2023: £210,000 - £214,9992021/2022: £205,000-£209,999➤Rachel Burden - £220,000 - £224,995Live Breakfast Show, BBC Breakfast.2023/2024: £220,000 - £224,9992022/2023: £195,000 - £195,999*Katie Razzall - £220,000 - £224,99Media and culture editor, and The Media Show plus Newsnight cover▲Mark Easton – £210,000 - £214,999Home Editor2023/2024: £205,000 - £209,9992022/2023: £195,000 - £195,999▲Stephen Sackur – £210,000 - £214,999HARDtalk interviews2023/2024: £200,000 - £204,9992022/2023: £190,000 - £194,999*Orla Guerin - £210,000 - £214,999Senior international correspondent▼Ben Thompson - £205,000 - £209,999BBC Business presentation, BBC Breakfast presentation, BBC News Channel presentation cover 2023/2024: £225,000 - £229,999▼Christian Fraser - £205,000 - £209,999Presentation days, Newsnight cover and UK General Election▼Alex Scott - 205,000 - £209,999Football Focus, Women's Super League, European Football Championship, Sports Personality of the Year2023/2024: £220,000 - £224,9992022/2023: £185,000 - £189,999➤Lyse Doucet - £205,000 - £209,999Chief International Correspondent2023/2024: £205,000 - £209,9992022/2023: £205,000 - £209,999*Jonny Dymond - £205,000 - £209,999Royal correspondent and Radio 4 programmes including the World at One▲Chris Sutton - £200,000 - £204,999BBC Radio 5 live Sport, 606, Football Focus, Final Score2023/2024: £190,000 - £194,999*Lucy Hockings - £200,000 - £204,999Presentation days, Global Story podcast, Ukrainecast cover*Ben Brown - £200,000 - £204,999BBC News at One and News channel*Matthew Amroliwal - £200,000 - £204,999Presentation days*Sally Nugent - £200,000 - £204,999Presentation days and UK General Election*Jane Hill - £200,000 - £204,999Presentation days, and The World Tonight on Radio 4 The rest of the list:£195,000 - £199,999Owain Wyn Evans - Radio 2 early breakfast showMaryam Moshi - presentation daysSally Bundock - business presentation daysAnnita McVeigh, presentation days£190,000 - £194,999Charlie Stayt - BBC BreakfastJohn Simpson - World Affairs editor, Unspun World with John SimpsonCraig Charles - 6 Music daytime show and Funk and Soul show£185,000 - £189,999Catriona Perry - presentation days (USA), The President's Pathpodcast, Global Story podcastSumi Somaskan - presentation days (USA), The President's Pathpodcast, Global Story podcast£178,000 - £184,999Gary Davies - Radio 2 Sounds of the 80s, Radio 2 coverSteven Lai - presentation days (Singapore)Charlie Hedges - shows on Radio 1 including Dance Anthems


Daily Mail
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Rita Simons reveals her surprise family connection to a VERY famous TV businessman as he trolls her over EastEnders 'comeback'
Rita Simons has revealed her surprise family connection to a very famous TV businessman as he shared his thoughts on her EastEnders 'comeback'. The soap star, 48, played Roxy Mitchell from 2007 until her character was killed off a decade later. She then joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 2024 as Marie Fielding, but announced last month that she is quitting the soap in the autumn. Her departure was quick to gain attention from EastEnders fans who were eager to speculate Roxy's comeback to Albert Square. And now, taking to Instagram on Sunday, she revealed her uncle, who is none other than Sir Alan Sugar, had his own thoughts about her returning to the BBC soap. Speaking in the clip, Lord Sugar, who is married to Rita's aunt Ann Simons, said: 'Now look Rita, there's no way you're ever gonna convince the BBC to bring you back into EastEnders.' Rita asked: 'Do you think I should be back at EastEnders?' The 78-year-old continued: 'Definitely. But, you're dead. 'As far as the story [is concerned], you're dead. So you've got to come back as a cousin of who you were.' The soap star then asked her famous uncle what the name of her EastEnders character was - but the businessman said he didn't remember. After recalling her name had been Roxy, Lord Sugar decided she should return to the soap as a new cousin called 'Proxy'. He concluded: 'Whatever, don't care what you come back as. But the point is, you've got to come back as a relative. 'That's it, definitely.' Fans took to the comments to share their shock over their family connection. Fans took to the comments to share their shock over their family connection Users penned: 'Didn't even know she was related to Alan sugar... Alan sugar her uncle... Uncle Alan giving advice to his Niece... 'I forgot lord sugar is your uncle... I've never seen uncle and niece together... She could pass as his daughter not his niece. They really look alike!' It comes after Rita reportedly quit Hollyoaks after just 18 months. Since her arrival, she's been at the heart of some of the soap's most explosive plots, particularly those involving her villainous sons Abe (Tyler Conti) and Arlo (Dan Hough). Rita has reportedly made the decision to leave the show, with a dramatic exit storyline set to air later this year. A source told The Sun: 'Rita has absolutely loved every second of her time at Hollyoaks and it wasn't an easy decision. 'She moved her entire life to Liverpool two years ago to throw herself into the show, and it's been a great adventure, but the pull of home is just too much. 'London has been calling her, and it's proved difficult to balance a job she loves and her life in London.' The insider added that Channel 4 bosses have been supportive of her decision and have crafted a powerful exit for her character. While Rita is sad to go, she's said to be 'excited' to film the emotional scenes. Rita is expected to shoot her final episodes this summer, with her character's departure airing in the autumn.


Daily Mail
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Steven Gerrard becomes a grandfather as his daughter, Lilly, welcomes a baby girl with lrish gangster's son
Steven Gerrard 's daughter, Lilly-Ella, has welcomed her first child - a baby girl. The influencer, 21, took to Instagram to share a black and white image of her boyfriend Lee Byrne, leaving the hospital whilst carrying their newborn in a car seat. She simply captioned the photo, '@leebyrne8 2 becomes 3'. The eldest child of the former England footballer announced she was expecting her first child in January. Lilly has been in a relationship with Lee Byrne - the son of a jailed Irish gangster - since October 2022, and their romance made headlines when it first came to light. Her father - former Liverpool legend Steven - has become a grandfather for the first time at just 45 years-old. The former midfielder has four children with wife Alex - daughters Lilly, Lexie, 19, Lourdes, 14, and a son named Lio, eight. Lilly announced her pregnancy news in January, sharing a photo of her positive pregnancy test and telling her 222,000 Instagram followers: 'Our little secret. The best news... mini us is on the way.' Responding to his daughter's post, Gerrard wrote: 'We can't wait. Congratulations and we love you.' Lilly's partner - with whom she was first linked in 2022 - is the son of Kinahan Cartel gangster Liam Byrne, who was issued a five and a half year prison sentence for a plot to stockpile a stash of machine guns. Ipswich Crown Court heard how Byrne and colleague Shaun Kent planted a haul of automatic weapons in a bid to help Kavanagh dupe the authorities. Kavanagh, Byrne's brother-in-law, was hoping to lead the National Crime Agency, Britain's FBI, to the guns in a bid to reduce his sentence in a drug conspiracy case. The staggering haul, imported from Holland, included the Skorpion, the type of automatic weapon used to murder Ashley Dale and Ellie Edwards on Merseyside. Liam's son Lee, celebrated the sentencing with a 'get in there' adding 'I love you da. See you soon.' And Lilly followed with a snap with her beau declaring her love for him. The couple became an item after Lee moved into a gated community in Freshfield, one of Merseyside's more desirable post codes. The Byrne and Gerrard families are said to have bonded since the young couple began dating, with Lee describing Alex Gerrard, Steven's stunning wife, as his second mum. There is no suggestion that Lee or any member of the Gerrard family are involved in crime.