Davina McCall has said she was comforted by the spirit of her late father following her gruelling brain surgery.

The personality, 57, lost her graphic designer dad Andrew, aged 77, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that affects memory, speech and balance.

And as she paid tribute to her father with a sweet snap to mark the third anniversary of his death on Friday, she revealed that he ‘visited her after her operation’.

Davina underwent surgery last year after a doctor discovered a colloid cyst in her brain.

But following the surgery, Davina has said that Andrew visited and explained that the experience felt ‘soooooo real’ and revealed it ‘felt nice’ to see him.

Sharing a sweet picture to Instagram of them sharing a hug, Davina penned: ‘Three years have pᴀssed .. miss you … best Dad ever.

Davina McCall has revealed she was comforted by the spirit of her late father following her gruelling brain surgery

The personality, 57, (pictured last year) lost her dad Andrew, aged 77,  following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that affects memory, speech and balance

‘Solid, dependable, silly, fun, honest, safe, encouraging, happy, cuddly , mummy , Milly and I think about you every day … you visited me after my op … you were soooooo real … I feel like I’ve seen you recently!!! Feels nice !!!!’

Davina has been open about her health scare and previously gave an emotional update in an Instagram video as she urged others to get private health checks if they can afford it.

The My Mum Your Dad presenter had her tumour picked up at a private clinic when  she was offered a health check after taking part in a talk about menopause.

And it wasn’t just her health that was impacted by the tumour as her relationship with partner Michael Douglas was put to the test. 

Speaking to Steven Bartlett on her Begin Again podcast, Davina admitted that she and Michael were ‘really really really close’ ahead of her operation, but believes the toughest time for him came while she was intensive care for several days.

She said: ‘What’s been interesting, is that I think it has been the most testing time for him ever, to see me who is ”Mrs in Control of everything.” 

‘I mean beforehand, the fear and everything bought us really really really close together but I think the first month for him in hospital was so painful and difficult and hard, and that Whatsapp group was his therapy, his saving grace, I don’t know what he would have done without it. 

‘But this is the amazing thing about him as a man, he is everything. He is strong, he’s soft, he’s funny, he’s serious, he’s really smart and super silly.

And as she paid tribute to her father with a sweet snap to mark the third anniversary of his death on Friday, she revealed that he ‘visited her after her operation’ (pictured last year) 

But it wasn’t just her health that was impacted by the tumour as her relationship with partner Michael Douglas was put to the test 

The presenter said that she and Michael were ‘really really really close’ ahead of her operation, but believes the hardest time came while she was intensive care (pictured Sepember 2024)

‘I think I was in intensive care for two/three days in the end.. I think for him I think for Michael those few days at the beginning, even after three or four days we had a breakthrough.’

During the interview, Davina added that the surgery completely changed her relationship with her stepmother Gabby, admitting she’s ‘fallen in love with her in a major way for the first time.’

She revealed that her father, who died in 2022, first married her stepmother Gabby when she was six years old, and after living with her grandmother for many years, she moved in with them when she was 13.

The star has previously shared insight into her fraught relationship with her birth mother Florence, who she described as an ‘alcoholic.’ She died in 2008.

Davina told Steven that for years she suffered guilt at moving in with her father and stepmother, wrongfully believing that they didn’t want her there. 

But after her recent surgery the pair finally talked things through and are now closer than ever following the death of her father. 

In 2017 Davina spoke emotionally about the tell-tale signs that made her suspect her father had Alzheimer’s.

The presenter and her family picked up on him repeating a story he had told only 15 minutes earlier and forgetting events that happened just days before.

Eventually, Andrew started struggling to find the words he wanted to say and to find everyday items around the home, as well as making odd remarks. 

Davina’s father Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 73, while her late grandmother Pippy also battled dementia (both above in 2017)

She said: ‘My dad has always been my rock. He’s way smarter than me, funnier, stronger. I’ve always slightly hero-worshipped him.

‘So when he started saying funny things like, “I took the overland train” and “Call me when your work is less explosive”, it didn’t take us long to all come together and ask each other if we should be concerned. 

‘The psychologist that first ᴀssessed him said that he could have been affected for a while – but he is so clever that he had come up with strategies. That’s my dad – see a problem, come up with a strategy.’

She continued: ‘My dad is very charming, everyone he meets falls in love with him. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed.

‘He still gives the best hugs and my kids adore him. Since he’s had Alzheimer’s, he has become calmer and kids respond very well to that.

‘I have grieved the loss of my old dad. But we are forging a new relationship, a different one – one where perhaps he might need me more. Our dynamic has changed, but he’s still my dad.’

Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 aged 73, while her grandmother, who died peacefully in 2018, Pippy also battled dementia. 

Davina lived with her paternal grandparents following her father’s divorce from biological mother Florence Hennion when she was three-years old. 

Speaking in 2019 the presenter – who battled substance and alcohol issues during her youth – discussed her fractious relationship with Florence, admitting they took drugs together when she was a young girl as there were no fixed parental rules or guidelines. 

Despite her difficult relationship with her mother Florence, Davina shared a  close bond with her step mother Gaby and her father Andrew (pictured in 2017)

Davina revealed she took drugs with her mother Florence (pictured) when she was a young girl, as there were ‘no boundaries’ when they spent time together

She told This Is Davina: ‘When I was young, being with Mum, there were no boundaries. Wearing make-up, short skirts, high heels at 13, drinking… eventually, I even took drugs with her.

‘I don’t blame her at all for my addiction, but it was screwed up… not a normal mother-child relationship.  

‘Back then, I was just a kid and, if I’m honest, I thought she was cool because my granny, Pippy [who brought Davina up from the age of three], and my dad never let me do any of that in England.’  

During an appearance on Who Do You Think You Are? Davina recalled that her mother abandoned her at the age of three, and was married four times, before her death in 2008.

The two didn’t speak for eight years and in the emotional programme the Big Brother host admitted her mother ‘probably shouldn’t have had kids’.

Davina is mother to daughters Holly, 23, and Tilly, 21, and son Chester, 18, with ex-husband Matthew Robertson. 

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour. 

There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society