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Davina McCall has broken her silence after secretly marrying hairdresser fiancé Michael Douglas on Friday following her recent health woes.
The television host, 58, praised her ‘lovely’ new husband, 49 on Instagram on Thursday, and shared a touching love poem which she called ‘extraordinary.’
Davina tied the knot with her long-term partner just three months after the celebrity hairstylist proposed during a romantic trip to Ibiza.
The couple exchanged vows during an intimate ceremony in front of immediate family and their closest friends, with a larger service carried out for a wider group of friends and family members the following day, according to The Sun.
Devoted partner Michael supported Davina during her recent surgery to remove a benign tumour from her brain and with her recent breast cancer diagnosis.
Davina McCall has broken her silence after secretly marrying hairdresser fiancé Michael Douglas. She praised her ‘lovely’ new husband and shared a touching love poem on Instagram on Thursday
She reposted Michael’s latest hairdressing video, writing @mdlondon tips. Michael ur lovely’
Davina also shared a video of a love poem by Harry Baker on Thursday, calling it ‘extraordinary’
Friends claim it was the presenter’s recent spate of health issues prompted their decision to marry now.
Davina shared a video of a poem by Harry Baker on Thursday, calling it ‘extraordinary.’
The poem contained the words: ‘It’s not the flowers, it’s the weeding in the mud with you. It’s not the champagne, it’s that cuppa in that favourite mug you use.
‘It’s not the chocolate. OK it is, but not just one or two, it is becoming Bruce Bogtrotter and Augustus Gloop.
‘It’s voting frozen pizza over fancy grub with you. Because some nights, nothing can beat a slice of comfort food.’
Davina also reposted Michael’s latest hairdressing video, writing @mdlondon tips. Michael ur lovely.’
A source said of the pair’s recent nuptials: ‘Their wedding was perfect, exactly what they wanted. They chose a small venue close to their home, and just invited about ten of their friends and relatives to be there with them.
‘It was very intimate and everyone who attended is very special in their lives. They’ve been through a huge amount in recent months, with Davina’s health, and it just felt right to formalise their marriage. They didn’t see the point in waiting.
The source added: ‘The next day they just carried on with life as normal, and as coincidence would have it they were guests at another friend’s wedding day.
Davina secretly married long-term partner Michael just two months after the celebrity hairstylist proposed during a romantic trip to Ibiza
It’s understood that the couple exchanged vows during an intimate ceremony on Friday, with a larger service carried out for a wider group of friends and family members the following day
‘So they went as a married couple for the first time and happily showed off her wedding ring. It was the perfect weekend.’
Davina has been close friends with Michael for years after meeting the skilled hairdresser at Hertfordshire’s Elstree Studios during her spell as the presenter of Big Brother.
But their platonic friendship became romantic after McCall’s 17-year marriage to Matthew Robertson – the father of her three children – collapsed in 2017.
In October, the presenter confirmed Douglas had proposed after whisking her off to Ibiza for a romantic mini-break.
Recalling the unexpected proposal during an appearance on the Chris Evans Virgin Radio Show in September, she said: ‘What was quite funny was after lunch Michael had booked a lunch which was like, not that usual on a beach and he wanted to take me to a beach where we’d been with all the kids before.
‘So I was like: “Oh, this is really nice”. And then he said: “Let’s go for a walk around the cliffs.” ‘I’m in some god-forsaken cowboy boot, little pink cowboy boots with steel toe caps and I’m not in a cliff climbing outfit. I could see he really wanted me to like it, it would make him happy.
‘And I thought, “Oh, bless” Like he wants to show me something beautiful. So I was like: “Stop being miserable and get up the cliff.”’
Confirming the engagement earlier that month, a close friend told The Sun: ‘She has a ring but is only wearing it in private.
‘It is wonderful news and everyone who knows them is just so thrilled. They really do make the most gorgeous couple.’
Douglas was by McCall’s side after doctor’s discovered a ‘very rare’ colloid cyst that affects only three in a million people, on her brain.
The presenter underwent surgery as doctors operated to remove the cyst, which they feared could cause serious problems if it grew any further.
But despite making a full recovery, McCall admitted she was left questioning if Douglas wanted to stay in the relationship following her operation.
Davina’s platonic friendship with Douglas became romantic after her 18-year marriage to Matthew Robertson (pictured) – the father of her two children – collapsed in 2018
Davina with her ex-husband in 2013. The couple were together for 18 years before confirming their separation and subsequent divorce
She told Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast: ‘Michael, who spent the majority of the time with me, I’ve never seen him struggle with spending time with me, but sometimes… he was telling me sometimes I’d ask him the same thing, like seven times in half an hour, right?
‘And he’d have to leave the room for a bit… But I could. It wasn’t normal. What was happening wasn’t our normal life.
‘I had long-term memory. I could remember… and I thought, “Oh, he doesn’t want to be with me.”
‘But in the end, we had a chat and he said, “What are you talking about? I love you, of course I want to be with you.”‘
Little more than a month ago, the presenter confirmed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
And friends say her two health issues prompted her to consider a speedy marriage to Douglas instead of planning ahead, with the couple initially considering a January ceremony.
Douglas was by McCall’s side after doctor’s discovered a ‘very rare’ colloid cyst that affects only three in a million people, on her brain
A source told new! magazine: ‘After all she’s been through Davina feels she can’t take anything for granted. Not just one, but two health scares really send home the poignant message of who and what really matters.
‘Neither Michael or Davina see the point in waiting. They’re both in their fifties Davina has been married before and they want to make it happen.’
The source added: ‘She’s always said she wanted a big wedding but I think this is going to be quite small. She doesn’t want too much of a fuss.
‘It’ll be focusing on the couple and their love for each other. They’ll have a big showbiz party later but right now they want to get married at the start of next year.’
McCall recognised the symptoms of breast cancer after seeing posters for Lorraine Kelly’s lifesaving Change + Check campaign at ITV studios.
In November, she told Instagram followers: ‘I just wanted to tell you I have had breast cancer, I found a lump a few weeks ago and it came and went.
‘But then when I was filming The Masked Singer, the show Lorraine put signs on the back of their toilet doors saying “check your breasts” and every time I went for a wee I did that, and it was still there.’
‘I underwent a biopsy and it was indeed breast cancer and I had it taken out in a lumpectomy nearly three weeks ago.’
The presenter stressed her cancer had been caught early, but would still require five days of radiotherapy in January as an ‘insurance policy’ to remain free of the disease.
She added: ‘It was very very small so I got it very very early, which is incredibly lucky, but I am so relieved that I have had it removed and that it hasn’t spread.
‘I was very angry when I found out, but I let go of that and I feel in a much more positive place now.
‘The message here, is know your boobs. Notice any changes. Don’t procrastinate. Get your free checkups. And never ignore a niggle. Sending out huge love.’
McCall was briefly married to Andrew Leggett in 1997 before exchanging vows with second husband Robertson in 2000.
She has three children with the Pet Rescue presenter, Holly, 23, Tilly, 21, and son Chester, 19.
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for further comment.