Davina McCall has revealed she has undergone surgery for breast cancer.
In a video posted to Instagram, the presenter said she was “very angry” when she found out, but feels in a “much more positive place” after a lumpectomy.
She said: “I have had breast cancer. I found a lump a few weeks ago. It came and went but then I was working on The Masked Singer and Lorraine, the TV show, and Lorraine Kelly had put signs on the backs of all the doors saying ‘check your breasts’ and every time I went for a wee I did that.
“It was still there, and then one morning I saw myself in the mirror and thought ‘I’m going to get that looked at’.
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“I had a biopsy. I found out it was indeed breast cancer and I had it taken out in a lumpectomy nearly three weeks ago.”
McCall added: “It was very, very small, so I got it very, very early which is incredibly lucky. But I am so relieved to have had it removed and to know that it hasn’t spread.
“My lymph nodes were clear, I didn’t have any removed, and all I’m going to do now is have five days of radiotherapy in January as kind of an insurance policy.”
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The former Big Brother presenter also thanked staff at the Royal Marsden hospital in London, along with her family, her “brilliant kids” and she sent an “extra special thanks” to her partner, hairdresser Michael Douglas.
“It’s been a lot. I was very angry when I found out, but I let go of that, and I feel in a much more positive place now,” she said.
“I think my message is, get checked if you’re worried, check yourself regularly. If you are due a mammogram, then get it done. And I have dense breasts, and I had a mammogram in August, and I was postponing the ultrasound. I just couldn’t find time to do it. Don’t do that.
“Get the ultrasound, and thanks for watching. And I’m sending you all a massive hug.”
The post received thousands of comments from friends and fans alike, praising the presenter and sending well wishes.
Among those were broadcaster Amanda Holden, writer Elizabeth Day and All Saints singer Nicole Appleton.
Pushing Daisies actress Anna Friel said: “Oh … I am so sorry you are going through so much. You are shining and still smiling in the face of adversity. It’s a lesson to us all.”
Meanwhile, comedian Dawn French called her a “phenomenal woman” and said: “Blimey Davina! What a warrior you are. Must’ve been stressful.”
According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women in the UK, although anyone get it, with those at higher risk including people over the age of 50, if you have dense breast tissue or have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
McCall is known for hosting Big Brother between 2000 and 2010 during its Channel 4 run, and has long advocated on women’s health issues, including presenting documentaries on contraception and the menopause.
She has also co-presented BBC Comic Relief and Sport Relief, Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer, The Million Pound Drop, Long Lost Family and dating programme My Mum, Your Dad. - The Guardian and PA
