Davina: The screaming row with my best friend that made me give up drugs
DAVINA McCALL today reveals how a furious confrontation with her best friend forced her to face up to her heroin addiction – and saved her life.
Recalling the row in today’s You magazine, in extracts from her new self-help book Lessons I’ve Learned, she says: ‘The drink and drugs were getting serious – not just a party thing any more – and I was a mess.
‘My best friend Sarah invited me to a Santana concert. She picked me up and I got into the car with her. Then she said, “Listen, you’re my best friend and you’re a wreck. . I know you’re lying to me and I know you’ve been taking heroin.”’
Mother-of-three Davina, 48, who hosted Big Brother and now presents the Bafta-winning ITV show Long Lost Family, adds: ‘After a stunned silence I got so angry I called her every name under the sun, got out of the car and slammed the door.
‘I stormed back to my dad and step-mum’s flat where I was sleeping on a camp bed and cried and cried. I was furious with Sarah for a few hours and then I just surrendered. I know that everything she had said was true.’
Davina decided to go to a meeting of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – after making up with Sarah. She says: ‘I explained I knew she was right and I wanted to change. She forgave me and we had a massive cry. I went into the NA meeting that night and my life changed.’
The confrontation took place in Davina’s 20s, and she says she has only come to appreciate her friend’s actions with the passing of time. ‘I’ve done it a few times myself now – been very honest with a friend – and it’s frightening. Two things happen. Firstly it’s a massive weight off your shoulders because carrying somebody’s else’s deception is really hard work.
‘Secondly that person might never come back to you.
‘But Sarah showed me that night being honest can save a person’s life. Thank you, Sarah.’