Television presenter Davina McCall was visibly moved to tears during a radio interview as she revealed plans for a new book focusing on how to have a positive end to life.
Emotional Radio Revelation
The 58-year-old Masked Singer panellist was promoting her latest book, Birthing, on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio when conversation turned to her future projects. McCall, who co-wrote the birth guide with midwife Marley Hall, explained her motivation was to ensure women never felt like failures.
"Sometimes if you don't get the birth you want, you feel like a failure, and I really didn't want women to feel like that," she told listeners. The book aims to offer non-judgemental support for all types of birth experiences.
Planning for Life's Final Chapter
When Evans asked what subject she might tackle next, McCall's response was direct: "Dying - how to have a positive end to your life." The host, initially surprised, reflected on wisdom from the Dalai Lama about accepting mortality to live more fully.
Evans elaborated on the concept of the "marginal decade" - the unknown final ten years of one's life. "If you improve your health, wellbeing and perspective on life enough to have a great marginal decade, then you're already accepting that you're going to die," he said.
McCall struggled to compose herself after hearing his words, wiping away tears and apologising for becoming emotional. "That was really well put," she told him.
Inspiration from Personal Health Ordeal
The presenter's interest in end-of-life matters is understood to be deeply personal, following a serious health scare in November 2024. McCall underwent surgery to remove a 14mm colloid cyst, a rare non-cancerous brain tumour located near the centre of her brain.
The cyst affected her short-term memory pathways, leading to difficulties after the operation. In a previous interview with The Guardian, McCall admitted the experience changed her perspective on death.
"The best thing to come out of it is not being frightened of death any more," she said. "I looked at my three kids and, although I didn't want to leave them, I did think: you'd all be OK if I did."
McCall's book journey has moved through life stages, from menopause to birth, and now potentially to death. Following her appearance on Virgin Radio, the presenter is set to feature in The Masked Singer: Christmas Special, airing at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX.
