Davina McCall fought an intense battle with drug and alcohol addictions in her 20s, but one friend has told how she helped the presenter get clean by locking her in her car
Television Davina McCall has spoken candidly about her battle with drug and alcohol addictions. She began drinking as a teenager before developing a heroin addiction, but she got clean and has been sober for more than 30 years.
One of friends has told the story about how she “locked” Davina in her car, changing the course of her life.
Author Sarah Hiscox first met Davina at a house party when they were both in their 20s, admitting that she “loved her instantly”.
At the time the former Big Brother host was working at a modelling agency and running clubs at night. While Sarah battled her own issues, including eating disorder bulimia, she became “increasingly worried” about Davina’s drug use.
She told The Times: “I would watch her when we went out, dancing on tables, the centre of everything. It was difficult to watch, this beautiful, vital girl who was slowly consumed by something infinitely more powerful than herself.”
Matters came to a head when Sarah locked Davina in her car in a last-ditch attempt to get the star to change her lifestyle.
It proved an inspired move and a turning point for Davina, who had a dramatic reaction to the incident.
Sarah said: “I locked her in my car one night. When I challenged her, she crumbled immediately. ‘I know, I know,’ she was crying. ‘I’m scared.
“‘Soz (as she called me). I’m afraid I can’t stop and I don’t know what to do. I keep making deals with myself, telling myself I’ll only use on a Tuesday and Thursday and then weekends, but it’s turned into every night and now I can’t go for a day without them.”
Sarah said she then put her arms around Davina and reassured her that it was “going to be OK”.
In the days before finding fame on television, the presenter could not afford to enter rehab or even see a therapist. So her friend suggested she start attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Sarah said: “I suggested: ‘You’re bound to know lots of people there, so you won’t be alone. Knowing you, you’ll end up loving it!” Davina’s pal said the former Big Brother host agreed to go to a meeting the following day and has been sober ever since.
Getting clean had a huge impact on the 58-year-old’s career. After getting clean she transitioned into television, and secured her first role on MTV Europe.
She secured the presenter gig on new reality TV programme Big Brother in 2000, which catapulted her to another level of fame. Her credits since include The Masked Singer, The Million Pound Drop and Long Lost Family.
Davina has spoken openly about her substance abuse issues. Appearing on The Diary of a CEO, she admits she still remains “vigilant” of her progress to guard against falling back into the cycle of addiction.
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