Davina McCall hinted at secret brain tumour battle in days before operation and broke down in tears

DAVINA McCall hinted at her secret brain tumour battle last month as she broke down in tears ahead of her operation.

This morning, TV legend Davina, 57, asked for prayers before undergoing surgery to remove a cyst from her brain.

While the news came a shock to many of her fans, it appears to may have signalled to fans during an interview from October.

Speaking to Fearne Cotton on her own Begin Again podcast, she struggled to contain her emotions while heaping praise on the presenter.

She said, “It feels so fruitful to me for you this journey, watching you go on it. And kind of getting to know you a bit at a really difficult time, around quite a difficult time in your life.

“And watching you do this pivot and how, I mean, your interviewing technique is so good.”

Fearne replied: “Coming from you, I could literally die happy now,” wiping her eye.

Davina continued: “I mean, listening to you now is a joy. I’m like, ‘Oh wow, this is so good.’ Because I see it from your side really. I’m not just listening to the person you’re interviewing. I’m listening to your questions. But I’m in awe of you.”

It was when Fearne returned the acclaim, saying: “Well, it goes two ways,” that Davina’s eyes water and she whispered: “Sorry.”

After they took a moment to hug, she added: “I cry a lot. But I feel, I feel… sorry. I feel like I’m really proud.”

Davina explained she had a benign tumour on her brain in a pre-recorded video message on her Instagram earlier today.

The telly legend confessed that after finding out, she ‘put her head in the sand’ – and doesn’t want others to do the same.

David said: “A few months ago, I did a menopause talk for a company and they offered me a health scan in return, which I thought I was gonna ace.

“But it turned out I had a benign brain tumour called a colloid cyst which is very rare.

“Three in a million. So I slightly put my head in the sand.”

Mum-of-three Davina added in the emotional clip: “I saw quite a few neurosurgeons, I got lots of opinions and I realised that I have to get it taken out.”

“It’s big for the space. It fills the space.

“It’s 14mm wide and it needs to come out, because if it grows, it would be bad.

“So I’m having it removed via a craniotomy.

“They go through the top of my head here and through the two halves of my brain to the middle, and get the cyst, take it out, empty it, take it out and Bob’s your uncle.

“Say a prayer for me. I am in good spirits.”

Davina’s partner, hairdresser Michael Douglas, appeared in the video alongside her and also revealed she will be taking time away from work and social media.

Michael captioned the post: “Hey everyone. Michael here.

“@davinamccall will be “off grid” for a bit while she recovers from this brain operation. She is in great shape and in very good hands.

“I’ll I do the odd update from her account here for anyone interested. I’m sure she’ll read all the comments when she’s able to so feel free to send love.

“The support of people is amazingly powerful. Have a great day everyone. Michael xxx.”

Davina told fans she will be resting in hospital for nine days after the surgery.