Davina McCall has paid tribute to her father after confirming the devoted family man passed away on Sunday evening aged 77 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
The presenter, 54, confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Thursday afternoon, describing graphic designer dad Andrew McCall as a legend who was loved by everyone who met him.
She wrote: ‘My Dad , Andrew , died on Monday night. He took a turn for the worse on Sunday but thankfully he wasn’t in pain. He was peaceful. I’m so grateful for that, and that we could be with him .. He was the best Dad I could ever wish for.
Tragic: Davina McCall has paid tribute to her father Andrew after confirming the devoted family man passed away on Sunday evening following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
‘My sister and I hit the jackpot. He always made time for us, opened his ( and my amazing mummas) house to all our friends, temporarily adopted mates of mine that needed help. He was a facilitator, always helping people with intros … he knew EVERYBODY. And they ALL loved him! I can’t imagine how many careers and businesses were started because of him.
She added: ‘The word legend has been used many times to describe my Dad . He was a bon vivante, loved life, positive to the very end… “it just works” was one of the last phrases he was able to say as Alzheimer’s robbed him of the power of speech.
‘He lived life. He loved us. And we loved him. With all our hearts. He leaves an enormous hole in our lives.’
Devastated: The presenter confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Thursday afternoon, describing graphic designer dad as a legend who was loved by everyone who met him
Signs: In 2017 Davina spoke emotionally about the tell-tale signs that made her suspect her father had Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative condition that affects memory
The presenter accompanied her post with a photo of herself alongside Andrew, a former graphic designer and events organiser for Portsmouth Harbour Authority.
In 2017 Davina spoke emotionally about the tell-tale signs that made her suspect her father had Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative condition that affects memory, speech and balance.
The presenter and her family picked up on him repeating a story he had told only 15 minutes earlier and forgetting events that happened just days before.
Eventually, Andrew started struggling to find the words he wanted to say and to find everyday items around the home, as well as making odd remarks.
Sad: Davina’s father Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 73, while her late grandmother Pippy also battled dementia (both above)
She said: ‘My dad has always been my rock. He’s way smarter than me, funnier, stronger. I’ve always slightly hero-worshipped him.
‘So when he started saying funny things like, “I took the overland train” and “Call me when your work is less explosive”, it didn’t take us long to all come together and ask each other if we should be concerned.
‘The psychologist that first assessed him said that he could have been affected for a while – but he is so clever that he had come up with strategies. That’s my dad – see a problem, come up with a strategy.’
Family: Despite her difficult relationship with her mother Florence, Davina shared a close bond with her step mother Gaby and her father Andrew (pictured)
Honest: Davina revealed she took drugs with her mother Florence (pictured) when she was a young girl, as there were ‘no boundaries’ when they spent time together
She continued: ‘My dad is very charming, everyone he meets falls in love with him. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed.
‘He still gives the best hugs and my kids adore him. Since he’s had Alzheimer’s, he has become calmer and kids respond very well to that.
‘I have grieved the loss of my old dad. But we are forging a new relationship, a different one – one where perhaps he might need me more. Our dynamic has changed, but he’s still my dad.’
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
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Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 aged 73, while her grandmother, who died peacefully in 2018, Pippy also battled dementia.
Davina lived with her paternal grandparents following her father’s divorce from biological mother Florence Hennion when she was three-years old.
Speaking in 2019 the presenter – who battled substance and alcohol issues during her youth – discussed her fractious relationship with Florence, admitting they took drugs together when she was a young girl as there were no fixed parental rules or guidelines.
Old times Davina with ex-husband Matthew Robinson (L) and dad Andrew McCall (R) at the Die Another Day premiere in Portsmouth, 2002
Beloved: The presenter took to Instagram in 2020 to share a snapshot of her beloved parent as she said his ‘soul is still shining through’ amid ‘cruel’ Alzheimer’s battle
She told This Is Davina: ‘When I was young, being with Mum, there were no boundaries. Wearing make-up, short skirts, high heels at 13, drinking… eventually, I even took drugs with her.
‘I don’t blame her at all for my addiction, but it was screwed up… not a normal mother-child relationship.
‘Back then, I was just a kid and, if I’m honest, I thought she was cool because my granny, Pippy [who brought Davina up from the age of three], and my dad never let me do any of that in England.’
Affectionate: She accompanied the photo with a birthday message as he turned 76 that November
Despite her difficult relationship with her mother, Davina enjoyed a close relationship with Andrew and her step mother Gaby.
During an appearance on Who Do You Think You Are? Davina recalled that her mother abandoned her at the age of three, and was married four times, before her death in 2008.
The two didn’t speak for eight years and in the emotional programme the Big Brother host admitted her mother ‘probably shouldn’t have had kids.’
Davina is mother to daughters Holly, 20, and Tilly, 18, and son Chester, 15, with ex-husband Matthew Robertson.
