Davina McCall says memory loss after brain surgery felt like 'advanced Alzheimer's'

Television presenter Davina McCall has shared her experience of severe memory loss that she likened to "advanced Alzheimer's" following a brain surgery procedure.

In her appearance on Paloma Faith's podcast, Mad, Sad and Bad, the 58-year-old revealed the extent of her memory challenges while recuperating from surgery aimed at removing a benign brain tumour in 2024.

"After having my brain tumour removed, I felt as though I had advanced Alzheimer's; I was unable to recall anything," McCall disclosed to Faith, who is also a singer and has appeared on Celebrity Traitors.

"Upon waking post-surgery, I was unaware that I had even undergone an operation," she recounted. A staff member would check in with her daily to see if she remembered their name, to which she would respond, "I don't know."

The Surgery and Recovery

McCall underwent surgery in November 2024 after a colloid cyst was identified during a health check-up that was part of her initiative to promote awareness about menopause.

In November of the previous year, she also disclosed that she had undergone treatment for breast cancer, describing 2025 as the "hardest year" for both herself and her partner.

Reflecting on her recovery experience, she stated, "Michael would come visit me [at the hospital] for two hours, and when he stepped out to use the restroom, I would be astonished upon his return and say, 'Oh my God, you’re here', completely unaware he had just left."

"I found myself unable to watch a movie for six months because I couldn’t recall what had transpired in the film just 15 minutes prior. [When trying to read] a book, I couldn't remember what had been on the previous page."

A year after her surgery, she noted a significant improvement: she managed to wake up one morning and vividly recall what she had done the previous day.

Post-Surgery Memory Loss vs Alzheimer's

The NHS identifies that later stage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease encompass "significant problems with short and long-term memory". Alzheimer’s is a progressive disorder, with symptoms typically worsening gradually over time.

In contrast, memory issues following brain surgery are often most pronounced in the initial recovery phase but tend to stabilize and improve over subsequent weeks or months. Some individuals may experience lasting minor changes.

Music therapy has shown potential benefits for those recovering from brain injuries, and McCall expressed her belief that it was ultimately her singing lessons that contributed significantly to her healing process.

Current Status

By April 2025, McCall announced, after undergoing MRI scans, that doctors had informed her that her tumour was "not returning".

A benign tumour, while non-cancerous, can grow slowly and is more frequently diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50, as noted by the Brainstrust charity. Symptoms associated with such cysts can include headaches, vision disturbances, and drowsiness, according to the NHS.

McCall's operation, referred to as a craniotomy, involved the removal of a portion of her skull to excise the tumour. She has openly discussed the surgery and her recovery journey, including details shared on her own podcast, Begin Again.