DAVINA- ‘Women in their 50s are now given a very different type of respect'

The TV presenter and fitness guru talks about fresh starts, finding her happy size, and why she’ll never google herself

- JACK WHITE, CAITLIN ELLIOTT

It’s been almost 20 years since Davina McCall landed her first major gig as a presenter, and we’ve since seen her at the helm of shows like Long Lost Family and This Time Next Year. She’s also made a name for herself in the fitness industry, with 14 workout DVDs and several healthy recipe books. It’s why hers has become a household name.

And, after years in the public eye, Davina says she’s now landed in a very good place. If fans or viewers approach her, it’s simply to have a nice chat.

And, like her followers, the years have also been incredibly kind to Davina, now 52, whose age-defying looks can be attributed to her enviable youthful vigour – and being happy. Happiness is something she places great importance on these days. “There’s a great phrase,” she says, “‘You’re only as happy as your unhappiest kid’. And mine are happy, so everything is good.”

However, it’s clear that Davina also loves a challenge and now, along with her children – Holly, 18, Tilly, 16, and 13-year-old Chester – she’s embarking on her biggest adventure yet...

I’m building a house! My kids and I have been renting and we were trying to find a plot of land. So we’re doing it together. This year is going to be super stressful, but really fun. It’s the next phase of our lives – a house that we’ve all built, and everyone gets to choose how they want their bedrooms. We’re unbelievably lucky. It was tough for the kids when we sold our house after Matthew and I split [Davina’s marriage to Matthew Robertson ended in 2017], so it’s nice to say, “Fresh house, fresh start”.