Defiant Davina
Long Lost Family host Davina McCall talks criticism, body shaming and the phobia she’s recently overcome
Davina McCall is back with a moving new series of ITV’s Long
Lost Family – and tells best that yet again, it will be a case of ‘Don’t forget the hankies’! The 50-year-old mum-of-three, in more amazing shape than ever due to her uber-healthy diet and fitness regime, also defiantly hits back at critics who say she’s looking ‘ too thin’ in recent images, and reveals she is the go-to person if any of her mates need therapy! And why not, because Davina has been through a lot. In the past year alone, she split from husband of 17 years, Matthew Robertson. But if there’s one thing you can count on with this lady, you’ll never keep her down. And, whatever you do, don’t ever tell her what she can or cannot wear... Davina, so Long Lost
Family is back on ITV. Why is it so popular? I’ve yet to meet somebody who could say they’ve watched the programme and not felt anything. I know lots of women who enjoy it but, in recent years, lots of men have said to me, ‘I sat down with my wife to watch it and absolutely loved it.’ You can relate to something in every story.
What can we look forward to in the new series?
There’s the amazing story of Francesca, who was born a boy and then adopted. She’s searching for her birth mum, Norma. Obviously, when you’re a transgender female and going through enormous change, you want your mum with you. But Francesca was terrified of being rejected, so I found Norma’s reaction breathtaking. She said, ‘I don’t care what you are, or who you are, you’re still my baby and I love you.’ We have another lovely story of Maria, searching for her birth mother, Gilda. Sadly, Gilda passed away, but we found Maria’s cousin. To somebody who is adopted, any blood relative is so special, so that was really emotional.
Do you ever have a good cry yourself?
Gosh, yes. I have a good old cry when I watch the show at home with a cup of tea. We all love a cry. My eldest daughter [Holly, 16] is a spectacular crier. I took her to the cinema with her friend to see one of those terrible teen films, and their crying was so loud that I actually started laughing. My granny taught me that crying is good – it’s much better to show your feelings than bottle it up. I’m very grateful to her.
Are you a tough cookie or a bit of a softie?
I see myself as so soft and squishy. I’m strong, but I don’t see myself as tough at all. Maybe I’m like a toffee bonbon – hard on the outside, squishy in the middle. What are you like as a mum, do you think? I hope I’ve mellowed into a relatively normal but quite embarrassing mother. When Holly was little, I was trying so hard to be a great mum that, if I was 10 minutes late to pick her up, I’d cry. I used to get forgotten when I was a kid, and it wasn’t just that my mum was late – she wouldn’t come. I didn’t want my kids to feel like that, so I’d think I was the worst mum ever.
Do you still swear by therapy and counselling?
I am the go-to person for all of my friends – so, if you need any counselling, any kind of therapy, any kind of psychotherapy or hypnotism, call me. I’ll have the number of someone who can help!
What therapy have you tried recently?
I saw a hypnotist to overcome a phobia of blood, because I was filming A&E Live, and he was amazing. I watched somebody have a split lip sewn up and, before hypnosis, I would have fainted.
Were you upset by recent criticism that you look
too thin in your latest bikini selfie? The more people disapprove of me doing something, the more likely I am to do it! I’m going to carry on posting pictures of myself in a bikini, and I totally want to be doing it when I’m 70. I was in France with my daughter recently, and there are so many great older women there, cracking out the bikinis. I’m definitely going to be that person! I know I’m healthy. I’m fitter than your average 50-year-old – I feel amazing, and I’m in a good place.
What’s on your bucket list?
I’d like to travel lots with the kids, and to start doing cultural city weekends. I want to take them to Liverpool, Blackpool and Copenhagen.
Do you slack off on exercise in summer?
I used to, but it would set me so far back, so I try to just do four days a week. I’ll get up early and try to get down to the gym, do a class and get back home for 9.30am when everybody’s waking up, so we can all have breakfast together. Bosh!
Has motherhood changed you, and how?
My kids [Holly, Tilly, 14, and Chester, 11] have given me a purpose. Everything I do, I do with them in mind. I work, but I’m hoping that we can make a nice life for ourselves.
Will you ever appear on a reality TV show?
I would quite like to do Strictly, but it’s too much time away from the kids. My weekends are sacred.
What else is coming up?
Another series of This Time Next Year [the ITV show that follows incredible real-life transformations]. I’m also finishing working towards being a personal trainer, and there are more fitness projects that I’m really excited about. I’ve got lots of irons in the fire.
Are you hooked on Love Island?
No. I watched the last series, but not this one. And, yes, I feel really out of the loop and I hate myself!
Long Lost Family starts on ITV on Tuesday at 9.30pm
‘The more people disapprove of me doing something, the more likely I am to do it!’