Today Rockwater has released the newest episode of the ‘In conversation with’ podcast featuring television personality Davina McCall – including never-heard-before detail of the star’s childhood trauma, substance abuse and inspiring recovery. Hosted by Sophie Corbett at Rockwater, the beachside cultural hub in Hove, the episode features Davina’s detailed journey to self-love and acceptance and can be listened to here.

Listeners are given an immediate deep-dive into Davina’s rough upbringing, as the TV personality reveals she was abandoned by her mother at just age 3 to be raised by her grandmother Pippy. Her developed fear of abandonment and unstable home life led to choices that would impact the rest of her life.

Having tried heroin for the first time at 15 years old, Davina reflects on the sense of false comfort the substance gave her, revealing that using was “like coming home.” After pushing her loved ones away and losing everything to prioritise her drug use, heroin became her “best friend.” “It’s like the biggest, warmest, softest cuddle.”

After 10 years of substance abuse, Davina rose from the ashes following an intervention from a friend, where she began attending ongoing NA meetings and therapy sessions, later achieving sobriety. Davina graciously shares graphic detail into her healing journey and credits Pippy as “the reason why I’m still alive.”

Despite her struggles, Davina gives listeners a lively insight into her career as she highlights the realities of being a working woman – from planning the birth of her children around the Big Brother filming schedule to receiving vaginal blisters when completing the Scotland to London 500-mile triathlon, raising over £760,000 towards maternal health in Kenya.

All things considered, Davina reflects on her life as “a crazy adventure,” adding “I don’t think I’d be as grateful as I am if I hadn’t had a tough time.”

An episode filled with ups and downs, Rockwater delivers a journey of healing, self-discovery and self-love from one of the UK’s biggest TV personalities, Davina McCall.

Rockwater’s ‘In conversation with’ podcast series is set to release further episodes featuring:

Music legend Norman Cook, also known as the legendary Fatboy Slim.

Actor and comedian, Robert Brydon Jones MBE

British sports promoter, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing CEO, Frank Smith

Speaking about the launch of the podcast series, host Sophie Corbett, said:

“I am always keen for people to talk. Life can be wonderful but it can also be so challenging at times and I never want people to feel alone. I also find people incredible and each individual’s life so very interesting.

Working with Rockwater, I am lucky enough to meet and chat to some of the most inspiring people, who have also been brave enough to be vulnerable speaking to me, not only about their highlights but also about when life has been tough and sometimes painful.

We thought we knew our podcast guests, but we only knew a little piece of the pie. So we were privileged to have them really open up and tell us about their journey and that’s when we can learn so much, from other people’s experiences. That is what the Rockwater ‘In Conversations with’ podcast is all about. Our guests’ stories are funny, moving, inspirational, educational, brave and the list goes on. At Rockwater we are excited to keep talking and listening.”