Davina McCall: Health, Relationships, and Biography Facts

There’s something quietly disarming about a public figure who turns a health scare into a teaching moment. When Davina McCall announced in November 2024 that she had undergone surgery for a rare colloid cyst in her brain, she revealed it was discovered through a health scan as part of her menopause advocacy work — a combination of vulnerability and purpose that makes her story worth untangling from speculation.

Age: 57 (born 16 October 1967) (BBC News) ·
Marriages: 1 (to Matthew Robertson, 2000-2017) (Wikipedia) ·
Children: 3 (Holly, Tilly, Chester) (Wikipedia) ·
Professional Role: Television presenter (Big Brother, The Masked Singer) ·
Health Advocacy: Menopause awareness
Past Substance Use: Heroin use from age 15 (The Guardian)

The following table summarizes key biographical data for Davina McCall.

What has Davina McCall been diagnosed with?

Diagnosed conditions and health issues

• Colloid cyst (benign brain tumour) — diagnosed in 2023, surgery November 2024 (BBC News)
• Past heroin addiction — used heroin from age 15, described the feeling as “like coming home” (The Guardian)
• Menopause — has been an outspoken advocate, and it was a menopause health check that led to the discovery of the brain tumour (RTÉ)

The colloid cyst was described by McCall as “very rare” — the odds are “three in a million” (RTÉ). The BBC notes that such cysts can, rarely, lead to sudden death if they expand (BBC News). The tumour measured 14 mm wide, McCall said in a separate interview (New York Post).

Menopause and its public discussion

• McCall has used her platform to normalise menopause conversations, including through her podcast Begin Again
• The health check that caught the cyst was offered to her because of that very advocacy work (RTÉ)

The paradox: a condition that could have gone undetected was caught precisely because of her willingness to talk about something else. That same willingness has made her a trusted voice on women’s health.

Why did Davina McCall split with her husband?

Reasons for divorce from Matthew Robertson

• McCall married Matthew Robertson in 2000; they divorced in 2017 after 17 years of marriage (Wikipedia)
• No single public reason was given; both have described the separation as amicable and focused on co-parenting their three children

The couple have maintained a cordial public face. Robertson, a former model and property developer, now lives in the UK and remains involved with their children. The split was not marked by scandal or public acrimony — a rarity in show business.

The implication: some marriages end without a single cause, and McCall’s separation is a private matter.

Why has Davina McCall lost so much weight?

Weight loss causes and timeline

• McCall’s weight loss has been noticeable in recent years, and she has attributed it to menopause, increased exercise, and dietary changes
• There is no evidence that severe illness caused the weight loss; she has stated she feels healthier (LBC)
• After her brain tumour surgery, she reported feeling “miles better” during recovery (LBC)

The trade-off: Public scrutiny of female celebrities’ bodies is intense. McCall’s weight loss is a natural part of ageing and hormonal change, yet it gets framed as a mystery. The reality is far less dramatic — and far more common.

Is Davina McCall in a relationship now?

Current relationship status

• McCall is in a relationship with Michael Douglas (not the actor of the same name) (Wikipedia)
• The relationship began after her split from Robertson; they have been together since around 2017
• Douglas is a businessman; the couple keep a relatively low profile compared to her previous marriage

The pair have been seen together at public events, and McCall has occasionally posted about him on social media. No engagement or marriage has been announced.

What is the age difference between Davina McCall and her husband?

Age difference with ex-husband Matthew Robertson

• Matthew Robertson was born in 1974, making him approximately 7 years younger than McCall (Wikipedia)

Age difference with current partner Michael Douglas

• Michael Douglas is roughly the same generation as McCall; his exact birth year is not widely published in reliable sources, but he is believed to be close in age to McCall

The table below shows the age dynamics between McCall and her two partners.

The pattern: McCall has consistently chosen partners outside the spotlight, and age gaps — when they exist — are not the story. What stands out is her preference for privacy in her personal life.

Timeline

• 1982: First used heroin at age 15 (The Guardian)
• 2000: Married Matthew Robertson (Wikipedia)
• 2017: Divorce from Robertson finalized; began relationship with Michael Douglas (Wikipedia)
• 2023: Diagnosed with a colloid cyst (benign brain tumour) during a menopause health check (RTÉ)
• November 2024: Undergoes surgery for the colloid cyst at a London hospital (BBC News)
• December 2024: Recovers at home, reports feeling “miles better” (LBC)
• Early 2025: Plans to return to work (LBC)

The timeline shows a life punctuated by significant personal and health events.

“It was like coming home.”

— Davina McCall, describing her first experience with heroin, as reported by The Guardian

After colloid cyst surgery, McCall described herself as “utterly exhausted, but it’s done”, as reported by RTÉ.

For any woman in her 50s who has ever felt dismissed by a doctor, McCall’s story carries a sharp edge: a routine check — offered because of her own advocacy — caught a potentially life-threatening condition. The lesson is not just about her, but about the system. The implication for UK viewers: push for scans where they aren’t routine, because early detection can change everything.

Related reading: Davina McCall menopause advocacy health scan · Davina McCall brain tumour surgery and recovery

Frequently asked questions