I Feel Like I've Been Reborn

Davina McCall talks to woman&home about fresh starts, feeling positive about life in her fifties and what success means to her these days.

She’s been an almost permanent fixture on our TV screens for more than 20 years and it’s fair to say Davina McCall feels like part of the family for most of us. Over the past two years, life for Davina, 51, has changed dramatically, following her divorce from husband of 17 years, Matthew Robertson. But when we meet with Davina, she seems happier than ever, with a genuine sparkle behind her eyes as we laugh through our cover shoot and interview. “I was in a café recently during filming for Long Lost Family,” Davina recalls. “We were having lunch and a woman took me by the hand and said, ‘Are you OK?’ I said, ‘I’m good, thank you.’ And she goes, ‘You look it.’ She didn’t mean physically, she thought I looked happy. I’m in a good place.” Davina has presented some of the biggest shows on British TV, from Big Brother and Popstars: The Rivals to This Time Next Year and The £100K Drop. But, despite a hugely successful career, it’s obvious Davina’s greatest achievement is her three children, Holly, Tilly and Chester. Throughout our chat, Davina makes it clear that – no matter the job – the kids always come first. Away from work and home life, one of Davina’s biggest passions is keeping fit, and she’s just released her 15th workout DVD! That’s a lot of balls to juggle.

Being a single mum means you become a good juggler.

Weekends are the hardest, when everybody wants to go somewhere different. But in a funny way it’s quite good because the kids have become more patient with each other. The girls will say, “Oh, Chester needs to go here so we’ll sit in the car and go there before we can go where we want.” They’ve realised everyone has to share or be more supportive of each other’s wants and needs.

You build resilience from struggles.