Davina McCall is 'struggling' as she's 'worried about not being needed' after kids move out

Davina McCall recently spoke out about her "empty nest syndrome" after dropping her eldest daughter off at university - and a source has said that the TV star is finding it tough

Davina McCall, presenter of My Mum, Your Dad, has been open about her struggles with "empty nest syndrome" as her children grow up and leave home. The 57 year old TV star was overwhelmed with emotion, confessing that she 'couldn't stop crying' when her eldest daughter moved to Manchester for university. Davina, mother to Holly, 22, Tilly, 21, and Chester, 17, shared how she "cried all the way home" after dropping off Holly.

With Tilly already in Sydney and only Chester at home, a source revealed that Davina is finding it hard to adjust to not being needed as much. They said: "With only Chester still at home, she just can’t believe how fast her kids are growing up. Davina, like any mum, also can’t help worry about her daughters, even though they’re in their twenties. She feels like part of her is missing now that they’re living their own lives and that she won't be needed in the same way. She’s no longer being asked to make dinners, do their washing etc. It’s the little things that she’ll miss."

The TV celebrity got real about her emotional trip back from Manchester after dropping her eldest off, despite the city being just "two hours away" by train. In an intimate reveal to The Times Magazine, she disclosed: "I wasn't worried about empty nest syndrome until I drove my daughter to Manchester recently. We built IKEA furniture all day, settled her in, and then I cried all the way home."

The mum-of-three – who shares her children with ex Matthew Robertson – even made light of the journey's length, joking: "It's only two hours on the train, for crying out loud." Now with only Chester remaining at home, Davina noted his independence, saying he largely needs her just for "the odd lift here and there".

Davina has also been candid about her parenting challenges before, expressing her feelings of pain over her kids growing up during an episode of My Mum, Your Dad. While chatting with female contestants about loneliness as their children age, Davina confided: "I think we're all struggling with that, with kids going [moving out], it's really painful."

The source also said that her complex bond with her late mother could be a factor. Recollecting details from her 2016 memoir, the TV presenter acknowledged the love and strain in their dynamic: "I believe that my mother loved me, thought I was hilarious, a bit mad and quite funny, and I really loved her and thought she was incredibly glamorous and beautiful, but our relationship really confused me."

The source noted: "Davina isn’t afraid to show how she’s feeling, which is brave of her as she’s showing it’s normal to feel this way. But it is a tough time for her, and a lonely one. It’s no secret that Davina had a complicated relationship with her own mum, so it was really important that she’s got a strong one with her own daughters. They’re really close and now that Holly and Tilly have both moved out of the family home, she’s struggling."

Embracing the change, Davina commented on the shift at home: "My son is the only kid still at home now and he doesn't need me, apart from the odd lift here and there, so I'm working a few more days in the week." The former Big Brother presenter is also preparing to launch her thrilling new podcast, Begin Again, where she'll share insights on embracing midlife. In addition, the ever-busy Davina is currently hosting ITV's My Mum, Your dad dating show, serving as a detective judge on The Masked Singer, and reuniting families on ITV's heartwarming Long Lost Family.

After her 17-year marriage to Matthew Robertson ended in 2017, Davina found love again with celebrity hairstylist Michael Douglas. While we might see them together on Celebrity Gogglebox and at red carpet events, the details of their relationship rarely make the news. Last year, the star told OK! that "keeping my love life private" is crucial to her newfound happiness. "I give so much of myself to the public that I need something just for me," she shared, adding that being somewhat protective over her relationship helps "keep the magic".

However, it's this "magical" relationship that could be her beacon during this emotional period in her life as she looks to lean on Michael. Our insider revealed: "She’s busier than ever - with the new season of My Mum, Your dad and they’re already looking ahead for the next one - which is keeping her busy. She’s also never been happier than she is with Michael, they get on so well and knows he’s someone she can really count on during tough times, like these."

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