Davina Mccall
The TV presenter reveals her heartbreak over her dad’s health battle and her daughter flying the nest
She cheered up the nation while hosting Big Brother: Best Shows Ever last month, but Davina Mccall has been going through a difficult time herself behind closed doors.
Speaking on her podcast Making The Cut, which she hosts with her hairdresser boyfriend Michael Douglas, Davina said she has “anticipatory grief” as her father suffers from Alzheimer’s.
While praising the work of psychotherapist Esther Perel, the presenter explained, “I’m grieving for the loss of my father but he’s not dead. He’s there, but because he’s got Alzheimer’s I feel like he’s going.”
The 52-year-old highlighted the close bond she and dad Andrew, who was diagnosed in 2016, share by posting a sweet Father’s Day tribute alongside a series of family photos.
“Happy Father’s Day Daddy!!! Thank you for always showing up. Thank you for always listening, and your sage advice… for making me laugh a lot and for showing us that even now, Alzheimers can’t dampen your amazing positivity… I love you with all my heart,” she wrote.
In April, she said witnessing the decline in his health was “very hard”, adding, “It’s heartbreaking watching someone who was so active and intelligent and argumentative having to be helped with the most basic tasks.”
Despite enjoying a fresh start by moving into her new
£3.4 million house in Kent last month, Davina is facing more sadness as she’s set to wave goodbye to her eldest daughter
Holly, 18, when she heads to university in September.
Davina, who also has daughter Tilly, 16, and son Chester, 13, with ex-husband Matthew Robertson, explained how she had a heart-to-heart with Holly about letting her go.
“Obviously Holly’s about to go to university so we discussed a bit about empty nesting… that feeling of being secure that your mother loves you, but at the same time knowing you have to leave,” Davina said.
The Masked Singer judge, who was separated from boyfriend Michael while isolating with her kids during lockdown, added, “I crave security almost above all else… To feel safe and secure and loved. I want to all the time be close to the people that I love, but I have to let them go.”
We feel for you, Davina.