Heartbroken Davina McCall announces death of dad following battle with Alzheimer’s

Davina has been vocal about the cruel disease in the past.

Davina McCall has paid tribute to her father who passed away on Monday, aged 77, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. The former Big Brother presenter announced the news on Instagram on Thursday, saying she was by his side when he passed. “My Dad, Andrew, died on Monday night," she wrote. “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. 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." She continued: “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. 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.” Since her dad's diagnosis, Davina has been publicly vocal about the cruel disease, helping to raise awareness. The Alzheimer’s Society shared a message of support following her father's passing. “We thank Davina and her family from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible amount of awareness they raised around dementia by speaking publicly since Andrew’s diagnosis in 2016. “When people like Davina share such personal stories it helps break down stigma and spread understanding, which is so vitally important.” Davina's mother died in 2008. She was very close with her father and stepmother Gabby. In September 2021, she revealed he had moved into a nursing home due to his deteriorating condition.