Davina McCall breaks down in emotional speech as she makes first public appearance since brain surgery at charity event

Davina McCall broke down in tears as she took to the stage to give an emotional speech at the Brain Tumour Research Campaign on Thursday evening. 

The presenter, 57, underwent brain surgery last month after revealing she had a 'very rare' colloid cyst that affects only three in a million people.

And the star made her first public appearance since her operation as she attended the event at All Saints Church, Fulham to support her neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill.

Tearing up in the speech she began: 'I'm crying already, that didn't go well'.

In the short clip she continued: 'I know lots of you here are on your own brain tumour journey and many of you have lost loved ones to a brain tumour.

'I lost my sister to a brain tumour in 2012 and my ex father in law a year ago.' 

Davina's sister Caroline died age 50 in 2012 after she was diagnosed with lung cancer, bone cancer and was told by doctors that she had two tumors on her brain. 

After the emotional evening, the star beamed in snaps as she was joined by her partner Michael Douglas and surgeon Kevin O'Neil who performed the procedure. 

Thanking Davina for her attendance at the event, Brain Tumour Research Campaign shared snaps from the event as they praised her 'courage and grace'. 

They penned: 'What a truly magical Christmas celebration evening! A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event so special.'

'Our evening began with our incredible Chairman, Kevin O’Neill setting the tone with his warmth and passion. 

'We were then moved by the inspiring words of the wonderful Davina McCall who shared her personal story with such courage and grace. 

'Her message about the importance of funding for brain tumour research truly resonated with us all. Thank you, Davina, for being such a powerful voice for this cause.'

The star previously revealed she gave her doctor and her partner Michael a 'scare' when she first woke up following her surgery, as she shared an update with her fans earlier this month.

Taking to Instagram she praised her surgeon for performing the procedure, and while she originally woke up feeling 'very confused' after her surgery, she's now doing much better. 

In the video she said: 'Hi, I thought I'd do a little catch-up post, and I'm gonna out my surgeon.

'He is called Kevin O'Neill and he has been amazing. Obviously trying to find somebody that knew about coloid cysts and stuff was quite a challenge, and Kevin is very experienced as a neurosurgeon, and he done another coloid cyst this year and he has been brilliant.

'[He] got the whole thing and I know I gave him and Michael a bit of a scare straight after the op because I was so confused, but I am doing so well now.

'I just wanted to thank him and all the team for taking such really really good care of me thank you. And, yeah I'm gonna take you and your Mrs out for an amazing dinner Kevin.'

Davina previously explained that she received the diagnosis by chance after booking in for a 'health scan'.

Davina said in a video: 'I was offered a health scan which I thought I was going to ace but it turned out I had benign brain tumour which is very rare, three in a million.

'I slightly put my head in the sand for a while, I saw a few neurosurgeons, had quite a lot of opinions and realised I needed to take it out.

'It's quite big, it's 14mm wide and it needs to come out because if it grows it would be bad. I'm having it removed.'

She added: 'Say a prayer for me. I'm in good spirits.'

Davina explained that while she was at no immediate risk, doctors were concerned that the tumour could grow larger and cause complications.

She revealed she had been feeling 'up and down' and explained she would be in hospital for at least nine days before coming home.

A colloid cyst is a slow-growing tumour typically found near the centre of the brain, containing gelatinous material. The benign growths are often asymptomatic and found incidentally during imaging tests.

If symptoms do occur as the tumour grows, they are commonly reported to include headaches that are most severe in the morning upon waking, nausea and blurry vision, with other key signs including vertigo and double vision.

Most patients present with headaches, although other symptoms including vertigo, memory problems and double vision can occur.

If large enough, a colloid cyst obstructs the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain which leads to a high risk of sudden death.

Davina previously explained the struggles she is facing since her surgery, but how sleep was helping her recover. 

She said: 'Just a little update on here. I'm being brilliantly looked after by Michael and Gabby, my mum. And just to say I'm trying to sleep a lot and get better.

'My short term memory is really improving everyday. It has been an example to me on how much sleep helps me recover from everything. 

'So if I feel a bit confused or struggling to concentrate I just go to sleep and I wake up completely renewed and refreshed. I know that my brain needs lots of sleep.'

Davina then signed off by thanking fans for their ongoing support amid plans to return to work in mid-January.

Michael also previously gave an update on her health, as he explained after the 'very, very emotional' ordeal, she was focusing on resting up.

Taking to Instagram Live last month, the hairdresser revealed: 'She's quite tired at the moment. She sleeps really well at night and goes to bed at 10pm and has a nap in the morning, and sleeps for two or three hours in the afternoon. 

'It's the way your brain heals is by resting. Her body is naturally forcing her to rest'.

However, Michael offered reassurance to fans as he added: 'She's off [work] until mid-January. She's got a lot of time to relax and recuperate. 

'It's been a very, very emotional and quite an incredible experience. We're definitely out of the woods.'

Overwhelmed by the support from fans, Davina fought back tears as she thanked her friends and family for their support.

Speaking in a video message filmed from her bed, she said: 'Hi, I just thought I'd check in and say an enormous heartfelt thank you to everybody who's messaged me or been in touch.

'It's meant the world. It's been mad and it's just really nice to be back home. I'm on the other side. My short term memory's a bit remiss but that is something that I can work on so I'm really happy about that.

'I'm writing down everything that I'm doing to keep myself feeling safe and I'm being brilliantly looked after by Michael and my mum.

'I'd quickly like to say big up the stepmums. I don't really say thank you to Gabby enough. She's been an amazing rock my whole life.'

She emotionally continued: 'I was talking yesterday to somebody, I said I've got a massive dose of vitamin G. I think when something like this happens I just feel so grateful. I've always been grateful, I've been really lucky in my life.

'But I feel unbeliveably grateful right now. So thanks for everything all of you. I'm on the mend, I'm resting, I'm sleeping loads and I feel really good. I just feel very lucky.'

In the caption, she added: 'Hey!!! … thank you. For the messages . It’s meant the world. Just want to thank @mdlondon, who gets best boyfriend ever award. Voted for by me and everyone that knows us. 

'Also … best mum ever award … goes to @gabbamccall. Thank you mumma. For being best grandma … and mumma ever. 

'I am feeling much better. Had a great nights sleep in my own bed. Have a couple of sleeps during the day which keeps my brain clear … slowly slowly… huge gratitude, and love for the world and my life and the beautiful people in it. 

'Thank you to all my friends. You are the best. Thank you to @clevelandclinic and my amazing neurosurgeon. Kevin. I love you. 

'Thank you Sydney, sarah, and all the amazing beautiful souls that cared for me. Get used to this. It’s going to be pouring out of me.'

Following the surgery last month, Michael revealed the following day that Davina was out of surgery and 'recovering in ICU'.

Sharing another health update following her surgery, Michael said that the operation was 'text book' and she was grateful for everyone's support.

He wrote: 'Hey all, Davina is out of surgery and according to the surgeon it was textbook!

'She's currently recovering in ICU as a precaution, as you can imagine she's utterly exhausted.'

Michael added: Thanks so much for all the love from everyone on here... it's super powerful stuff, we are super grateful. Michael xx'.