Davina McCall fights back tears in 1st video since brain surgery for 14mm ‘very rare’ tumour & reveals ‘slow’ recovery

DAVINA McCall has fought back tears in her first video since her brain surgery for a "very rare" tumour - revealing her "slow recovery".

The presenter was diagnosed with a benign but very rare tumour purely by chance after being offered a scan a few months ago.

She is now in recovery after undergoing six-hour surgery to remove the tumour.

Posting on Instagram, Davina said: "Hi, I just thought I'd check and say an enormous and heartfelt thank you to everybody who's messaged me or been in touch.

"It's meant the world. It's been mad. And it's just really nice to be back home, I'm on the other side.

"My short-term memory is a bit remiss. But that's something I can work on.

"I'm writing down everything I'm doing to keep myself feeling safe and I'm being brilliantly looked after by Michael and my mum.

"I'm on the mend, I'm resting, I'm sleeping loads, I feel really good -and very lucky.

"When something happens like this, I feel so grateful. I've always been grateful.

"I've been really lucky in my life but I feel unbelievably grateful right now."

In a written post, she added: "Hey! Thank you for the messages. It’s meant the world.

"Just want to thank Michael, who gets best boyfriend ever award.

"Voted for by me and everyone that knows us. Also, best mum ever award to Gaby McCall.

"Thank you mumma. For being best grandma and mumma ever. I am feeling much better.

"Had a great night's sleep in my own bed. Have a couple of sleeps during the day which keeps my brain clear. Slowly, slowly...

"Huge gratitude, and love for the world and my life and the beautiful people in it.

"Thank you to all my friends. You are the best. Thank you to Cleveland Clinic and my amazing neurosurgeon. Kevin. I love you.

"Thank you Sydney, Sarah, and all the amazing beautiful souls that cared for me. Get used to this. It’s going to be pouring out of me."

Davina had said the 14mm growth was a rare colloid cyst, with a “three in a million” chance of having one.

NHS guidelines suggest it can take six weeks for a full recovery.

Experts say more people are being diagnosed with Davina’s extremely rare brain tumour type due to advances in testing.

Brain Tumour Research said the three in a million people found with a colloid cyst each year is rising thanks to MRI and CT scans.

Colloid cysts form in the embryo and go unnoticed until symptoms such as memory loss or headaches begin to show.

Continued growth can cause a build up of fluid in the brain, which can be life-threatening and requires urgent surgery.

Brain Tumour Research boss Dr Karen Noble said: “Colloid cysts are thought to be rare, with around 255 people in the UK diagnosed each year.

“Diagnosis is increasing due to widespread use of MRI and CT scans, as in Davina’s case.”

She added: “Early diagnosis is key to a positive long-term prognosis.”

'EMBRACE MIDLIFE'

Brave Davina will continue with her weekly podcast despite being in recovery from brain surgery.

The TV host, 57, launched the new show Begin Again last month and was “adamant” finding the tumour would not halt its progress.

Before undergoing the six-hour procedure to remove the growth, Davina pre-recorded an entire series of hour-long interviews.

Since it launched on October 9, celebrities including Ferne Cotton, Paloma Faith and Paul C Brunson have featured on Begin Again.

Davina says the podcast aims to “empower people to embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet”.

The former Big Brother host is next due on telly with The Masked Singer, which will air a Christmas special and then a full series - but was also pre-recorded in September.