TV icon set to receive MBE after overcoming dark past and drug addiction

In a remarkable turn of events, renowned TV presenter Davina McCall is set to be honored with an MBE at Buckingham Palace, recognizing her outstanding contributions to broadcasting. While she stands as a beacon of health and wellness today, McCall’s journey has been far from easy, marked by a harrowing battle with drug addiction that nearly claimed her life.

The TV personality, now 56, openly shared her tumultuous past on the Diary of a CEO podcast, revealing a troubled adolescence involving early encounters with cocaine. By her twenties, she found herself ensnared in a world of Class A drugs, including heroin, admitting, “I was a mess. You name it, I took it. Cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin.” Despite her struggles, she managed to form a pop group, Lazy Bear, and later transitioned to a career as a solo artist and cabaret performer in Paris.

McCall’s downward spiral reached a critical point when a gradual overdose pushed her to a “very, very, very dark place.” Describing the moment, she expressed, “I was constantly trying to escape myself – I was like a piece of fruit rotting from the inside.” The turning point came when a friend confronted her about her addiction, shattering the illusion of her being a “high-functioning” addict.

Reflecting on the intervention at the age of 24, McCall credited her best friend Sarah for saving her life. With the support of Narcotics Anonymous, she successfully got clean at 25, thanks in part to her ex-boyfriend Eric Clapton. This newfound sobriety paved the way for a groundbreaking career in television, starting with her role as the host of MTV’s Most Wanted.

McCall’s personal struggles trace back to her childhood, marked by her parents’ separation when she was just three years old. Raised by her grandparents in Surrey, she felt abandoned by her alcoholic mother, who she described as “a big kid herself.” These challenging family dynamics contributed to McCall’s early struggles and influenced her path towards addiction.

Despite these hardships, McCall emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the television industry. Her career skyrocketed with iconic shows like Streetmate and Big Brother, establishing her as a household name. Beyond her on-screen success, she delved into fitness in her mid-30s, launching a series of workout DVDs and later introducing the ‘Own Your Goals’ fitness and lifestyle program in 2019.

More recently, McCall has shifted her focus to advocating for women’s health, fronting documentaries and authoring the award-winning book, Menopausing. Today, as she prepares to receive her MBE, she reflects on her incredible journey, stating, “I can’t believe it. It’s a great honour, and it really means a great deal.”

This afternoon, accompanied by photographer Nick Knight and fashion designer Roksanda Ilinci, Davina McCall will attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive this well-deserved recognition.