BRAVE Davina McCall will continue with her weekly podcast despite being in recovery from brain surgery.
The TV host, 57, launched the new show Begin Again last month and was “adamant” finding the tumour would not halt its progress.
2
2
Before undergoing the six-hour procedure to remove the growth, Davina pre-recorded an entire series of hour-long interviews to ensure the podcast could air whilst she convalesces.
Her boyfriend Michael has reassured fans that the procedure on Friday went well and she is now resting up.
A source said: “Begin Again is Davina’s real passion project and there was absolutely no way she wanted its impact put on ice because of her surgery.
“There will be no break in the series run whilst she is out the spotlight.
“Davina made sure everything was pre-recorded and put in place so what she feels are important conversations can continue whilst she recovers.”
Since it launched on October 9, celebrities including Ferne Cotton, Paloma Faith and Paul C Brunson have featured on Begin Again, which Davina says aims to “empower people to embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet”.
The former Big Brother host is next due on telly with The Masked Singer, which will air a Christmas special and then a full series – but was also pre-recorded in September.
Davina, who has been inundated with support from fans and celebs, said she was diagnosed with a benign but very rare tumour purely by chance after being offered a scan a few months ago.
The mum of three explained in a video: “It needs to come out because if it grows, it would be bad.”
Her partner Michael Douglas later wrote in a statement on Instagram on Friday evening: “Hey all. Davina is out of surgery and according to the surgeon it was textbook!”
He added: “She’s currently recovering in ICU as a precaution, as you can imagine she’s utterly exhausted.
“Thanks so much for all the love from everyone on here.. it’s powerful stuff, we are super grateful. Michael xx.”
Davina had said the 14mm growth was a rare colloid cyst, with a “three in a million” chance of having one.
NHS guidelines suggest it can take six weeks for a full recovery.
It comes as experts say more people are being diagnosed with Davina’s extremely rare brain tumour type due to advances in testing.
Brain Tumour Research said the three in a million people found with a colloid cyst each year is rising thanks to MRI and CT scans.
Colloid cysts form in the embryo and go unnoticed until symptoms such as memory loss or headaches begin to show.
Continued growth can cause a build up of fluid in the brain, which can be life-threatening and requires urgent surgery.
Brain Tumour Research boss Dr Karen Noble said: “Colloid cysts are thought to be rare, with around 255 people in the UK diagnosed each year.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
“Diagnosis is increasing due to widespread use of MRI and CT scans, as in Davina’s case.”
She added: “Early diagnosis is key to a positive long-term prognosis.”
