Davina McCall's Brain Surgery Led to 'Advanced Alzheimer's' Symptoms
Television presenter details severe memory loss and cognitive challenges following benign colloid cyst removal in 2024.
Carla Rooney
Davina McCall underwent surgery in 2024 to remove a 14mm benign colloid cyst from her brain.
"When I came out of the operation, I didn't know I'd had an operation," McCall stated.
She further claimed that after the brain tumour was removed, she suffered from "advanced Alzheimer's" and could not remember anything.
The staff came in every day, and they'd go, 'What's my name?' and I'd go, 'I don't know.'
McCall recounted, "The staff came in every day, and they'd go, 'What's my name?' and I'd go, 'I don't know.'"
She reportedly could not remember the names of those around her and found it impossible to watch a movie for six months, forgetting events from 15 minutes prior.
Reading a book also proved challenging, as she reportedly could not recall the previous page.
Colloid cysts are understood to be benign, non-cancerous fluid-filled sacs typically found in or around the lateral and third ventricles of the brain. Despite the tumour's benign nature, the cognitive impact was profound.
McCall's memory reportedly began to improve in October 2025, a recovery she attributes to singing lessons.
Currently, McCall hosts her podcast 'Begin Again' and serves as a judge on 'The Masked Singer'.
Beyond the brain surgery, McCall also faced a breast cancer diagnosis, which she claims was detected "very, very small" and "very, very early."
Very, very small and very, very early.
She stated her lymph nodes were clear and none were removed, with five days of radiotherapy scheduled for January as an "insurance policy."