Davina McCall Reveals Memory Loss After Brain Tumour Surgery

Television presenter Davina McCall revealed that she experienced severe memory problems after surgery to remove a benign brain tumour in November 2024, telling Paloma Faith's Mad, Sad and Bad podcast that the condition affected her daily life and recovery with her husband Michael Douglas.

According to McCall, the memory issues left her unable to recall recent events, including conversations and activities, for months after the operation. She said she later used music as part of her recovery process.

McCall described 2025 as the "hardest year" for herself and Michael Douglas during the discussion. The presenter, who is 58, said the period followed surgery for a non-cancerous colloid cyst.

"After I'd had my brain tumour taken out, I had advanced Alzheimer's, so I couldn't remember anything," explained Davina McCall.

She detailed how her memory problems affected her awareness after the operation and her ability to recognize people around her.

"When I came out of the operation, I didn't know I'd had an operation. The staff came in every day, and they'd go, 'What's my name?' and I'd go, 'I don't know'." said Davina McCall.

"Michael would come and visit for two hours, and he'd go to the loo and come back, and I'd go, 'Oh my God, you're here,' and I didn't know he'd been there. I couldn't watch a movie for six months because I couldn't remember what had happened in the movie 15 minutes before. A book I couldn't remember the page before." said Davina McCall.

McCall said singing lessons became part of her mental recovery routine after the surgery and credited music with helping her regain memories.

"mind physio," said Davina McCall.

"I did singing lessons. Music. That was my mind physio." said Davina McCall.

"Yeah, music was what healed me. And last October was the first time I woke up, and I went, 'Oh my god, I remember what I did yesterday." said Davina McCall.

McCall also spoke about her emotional response to the tumour diagnosis, which was discovered after a health scan in 2024. She confirmed that she had a rare colloid cyst.

"I felt like this thing had taken control of me and I was so angry about that," said Davina McCall.

"I couldn't let it go. I was like, 'How dare you control my daily life like this and make me feel every day like I'm in danger?'" said Davina McCall.

McCall previously explained that the tumour was found after a health check offered following a menopause talk. She said the cyst was very rare.

"A few months ago, I did a menopause talk for a company, and they offered me a health scan in return, which I thought I was going to ace," said Davina McCall.

"But it turned out I had a benign brain tumour called a colloid cyst, which is very rare - three in a million," said Davina McCall.

Neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill treated McCall after she underwent a craniotomy to remove the tumour. She said their relationship became a lasting friendship.

"We're going to be friends for the rest of our lives," said Davina McCall.

"We are going to go out to dinner with our partners! We are going to do it." said Davina McCall.