Davina McCall

From Big Brother UK Wiki

Davina Lucy Pascale McCall (born 16th October 1967) is an English actress and television presenter. Davina has presented every main series and every celebrity series of Big Brother UK since 2000.

[edit] Personal Life

Davina was born in London to her French mother, Florence (neé Hennion) and father Andrew McCall. After the breakup of her parents' marriage, Davina went to live with her grandparents in Surrey, at the age of just three. She admitted that her relationship with her mother was a difficult one, describing her as an alcoholic and a "wild child, also stating that she should "never have had kids". At the age of 13 she moved in her her father, Andrew, and his girlfriend Gaby. Davina attended Godolphin and Latymer Girls' School as a teenager. During this time she developed anorexia which she attributed to a desperate need of attention. McCall sang professionally for a band but chose to go solo when she was 19.

Around this time she dated Eric Claptop who helped her try to launch a pop career, but Davina was dissatisfied with her near missed and gave up her music career. After running a restaurant for two years and working as a singing waitress in Paris, Davina returned to London where she managed to become a nightculb hostess. It was at this time Davina became heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol.

However, Davina cleaned up her act with the help of Eric Clapton and started a number of presenting jobs on Channel 4, MTV and ITV in the 1990s. In 1997 Davina married Andrew Leggett in 1997 but divorced soon after. Davina then had more success in 2000 when she married Matthew Robertson and has had three children with him.

[edit] Career

Despite holding many high profile jobs McCall is best known for hosting all series of Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, except Celebrity Hijack and Teen Big Brother. Whilst presenting Big Brother she has become known for her catchphrases such as "Big Brother House, this is Davina. You are live on Channel 4. Please do not swear."

During presenting Big Brother series 6, McCall caused controversy when she wore a bikini whilst interviewing contestant Sam Heuston. Shortly after this, McCall attracted some complaints for her hostile interviewing of housemate Makosi Musambasi on the final night, which was much criticised in the British press.

For the 2008 Big Brother series it is reported that McCall will earn £85,000 per episode (one a week).

In May 2008, British tabloid News of the World reported that she would quit Big Brother after the 2008 season to concentrate on an acting career. This was later denied by Davina at the Sex And The City film premiere in London, where she said "I'm not leaving Big Brother. They would have to kill me before I'd stop doing it". This was also proven when Davina appeared as a guest on the Paul O'Grady Show in 2007, clarifying her position with the show and its producers.