Being Davina

by Nigel Goodall

Davina McCall is the nation's favourite TV celebrity. Over the last few years, her warmth, humour and charm have endeared her to millions of viewers and made her the first lady of reality television. Now embarking on her 7th series of Big Brother, the much-loved Davina is here to stay. Yet behind this amazing woman is an incredible story of triumph over personal mountains that for years were impossible to climb. A tragic and turbulent past, beginning with a fractured childhood and difficult teens, meant Davina had to grow up fast, but the adult world did not sit easily with her. The price of this was a retreat into drugs and alcohol, as well as a string of difficult relationships that threatened to ruin her. Facing crisis, Davina took control and bounced back in style, facing her demons and moving on to achieve incredible successes that made her the envy and role model of many a would-be TV presenter. A happy marriage, children, amazing weight loss and a high-profile celebrity lifestyle followed. Davina has never looked back. This is the first biography of an incredible woman and a true survivor

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Nigel Goodall is one of the most respected celebrity biographers in the UK with more than 20 books on the movie and pop world to his credit. He has written about some of the biggest names in showbusiness including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Ray Winstone, David Tennant and Winona Ryder, which combined, have sold over a million copies and won him a literary prize nomination.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was so pleased to get to the end of this.
It poorly written and seemed to be a compilation of quotes from Davina or others and much, too much about other people.

Pleased I only paid 1 euro in my local charity shop.

[Paula P · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, I like Davina but this just hasn't done her justice. The writing wasn't great and it spent more time going off on tangents about other people/events it spoiled it for me e.g. Her daughter was due on the same day as the 9/11 incident - then talks in detail about the dreadful atrocities that occurred.

After skipping large paragraphs, I eventually gave up! This doesn't happen often with me but I just didn't want to waste precious reading time - too many other books on my to be read pile

Sorry Davina, you need another writer

[Kirsty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst this book gave some insight into the life of Davina McCall, I think it spent too much time talking about other people - people she'd worked with etc. The writing wasn't great and I came away from the book feeling like it had only really scratched the surface. Davina has been through a lot, and I felt like this book didn't really do her justice.

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book as a major fan of big brother, I was hoping for the inside scoop. Nigel clearly does not know much about her, As it seemed badly researched and quite boring. I stopped reading after page 25, Something i do not do often.

[Sheila Lofthouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very poor biography, more anecdotes and newspaper excerpts than new material

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. IT WAS WRITTEN BY SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HER!