Last week, Davina McCall made a heartfelt declaration of love for her partner during the National Television Awards.
As she accepted the Special Recognition award, she turned to her boyfriend of four years, Michael Douglas, and shared an emotional moment.
“I love being on this journey with you.
You make me a better person and you make me so happy. Thank you,” she said.
This public expression of affection was a rare move for McCall, who typically keeps her relationship private.
Reflecting on Loneliness and Love
In a candid interview, Davina opened up about her gratitude for her relationship with Douglas, especially as she once feared being alone in midlife.
This conversation feels especially relevant as she returns to host the second series of ITV’s “My Mum, Your Dad.”
The show, a grown-up version of Love Island, features middle-aged singles, nominated by their children, seeking love in a Surrey mansion.
McCall, 56, and Douglas, 50, began their relationship two years after McCall’s divorce from her husband of 17 years, Matthew Robertson.
Reflecting on the themes of loneliness addressed in “My Mum, Your Dad,” she shared, “It’s amazing we found each other at this stage of life because I don’t know if I’d be with anyone else if we hadn’t met.”
The Challenges of Loneliness for Women
McCall highlighted that women often find themselves facing loneliness more acutely later in life, especially after a divorce.
“It’s quite sad,” she said.
“Sometimes, divorced women get overlooked or excluded from social gatherings, which only magnifies their loneliness.”
She also noted that famous women have additional challenges in dating, as they can’t rely on apps and might struggle to meet new people.
Navigating Empty Nest Syndrome
As McCall’s children start to leave the nest, she’s experiencing the emotional impact firsthand.
Her eldest daughter, Holly, recently moved to Manchester, and her second daughter, Tilly, is in Australia.
Only her son, Chester, remains at home for now. “I am right in the thick of the empty nest issue,” she admits.
“As a parent, you hope to instill enough confidence in your children to encourage them to leave home and embrace their independence.”
Helping Holly move was particularly tough. “I drove her up North, we shopped for supplies at Ikea, and then I had to leave her there.
It was such a strange feeling,” McCall said.
“It was emotional and unexpected, but I’m proud of her starting her new life.”
Embracing a New Chapter
McCall finds joy in offering mid-lifers a second chance at love through her show.
She sees a reflection of her own experiences in the participants.
“We are the first generation of people who were out partying in the 1980s,” she says with nostalgia.
“We had our wild years, then raised our kids, and now we’re embracing our youth once again.”
At ITV’s west London offices, McCall appears vibrant and youthful.
She recently shared a striking photo of herself in a red bikini and cowboy boots, showcasing her fit physique.
Her fitness routine includes modest exercise three to four times a week, with activities like swimming, dancing, and kayaking filling her off days.
“I’m currently doing Couch to 5k,” she reveals with a smile.
“I’m starting from scratch and it’s been quite humbling.”
“My Mum, Your Dad” premiered last night at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, marking the beginning of another season filled with new possibilities for love and connection.
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