TV presenter Davina McCall has expressed deep gratitude to the neurosurgeon who successfully removed her benign brain tumour, describing their relationship as a lifelong friendship.
The 57-year-old underwent surgery in November after a routine health check-up, conducted as part of her menopause advocacy efforts, led to the discovery of a colloid cyst. She chose neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill for the procedure based on a recommendation from actress and model Caprice, whose own brain tumour was detected during a concussion scan after appearing on The Jump, a TV show McCall hosted.
In an interview with The Times, McCall spoke warmly about O’Neill, stating, “We’re going to be friends for the rest of our lives. We’ll go out to dinner with our partners. We are making that happen.”
Placing Full Trust in Her Surgeon
Recalling her thoughts before surgery, McCall admitted feeling the urge to plead for her life.
“The temptation was to tell him, ‘I have three children. Please keep me alive,’” she shared. “But that would only add pressure to an already high-stakes situation.”
Instead, she reassured O’Neill of her complete trust in his expertise.
“I told him, ‘You do whatever you need to do. I have full faith in you.’ He didn’t need me panicking. He needed to be calm and confident, and I wanted to empower him to perform at his best.”
A High-Stakes Procedure
Kevin O’Neill, 62, acknowledged the intensity of the operation, noting that McCall’s high-profile status and career, which relies heavily on memory, added extra pressure.
“Some people become so overwhelmed by fear they struggle to make decisions,” O’Neill said. Despite his vast experience, he admitted feeling the weight of the moment.
As a spiritual person, he sought reassurance before the surgery. “I prayed in the lead-up, and while on holiday in Venice, I dropped my glasses. When I bent down to pick them up, I saw a card with my birthdate printed on it. I took it as a sign of good fortune.”
Preparing for the Worst
Although doctors were optimistic about the outcome, McCall understood the risks, including potential memory loss or, in rare cases, death. She took precautionary measures to ensure her children would be taken care of.
“I structured my life before surgery so that, if I didn’t make it, my kids would be okay,” she explained. “I needed to go under anesthesia knowing I had my affairs in order.”
Through this process, she gained clarity about her children’s future.
“If this hadn’t happened, I would have remained in ‘mum mode.’ I adore my kids, but I had to ask myself, ‘Would they be okay without me?’ The answer was yes, and that made me incredibly proud.”
A Renewed Sense of Gratitude
Following the surgery, McCall spent time in intensive care before recovering at home under the care of her family, including her partner, celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas.
A longtime advocate for women’s health, McCall has used her platform to raise awareness about menopause and broader health issues. She was honored with a special recognition award at the National Television Awards last year and received an MBE in 2023 for her contributions to broadcasting.
Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “I have always been a grateful person, but this brain operation has taken my gratitude to another level.”
