Davina McCall reveals a case of mistaken identity as she puts cancer behind her and fronts Comic Relief with best pal Joel Dommett, and comics Katherine Ryan and Catherine Tate

Davina McCall wears red for Comic Relief

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Davina McCall is hosting Comic Relief(Image: BBC/Comic Relief /Nicky Johnston)

She might be one of the most famous TV presenters in the UK – but Davina McCall found herself embroiled in a case of mistaken identity recently.

The Masked Singer star was confused for another popular raven-haired TV presenter during a night out. “I was outside a hotel the other night having a lovely chat with the doorman, and two girls walked past and they went, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s you!’” recalls Davina. “I got a bit kind of cocky and I was like, ‘Oh, hi girls!’ – and one of them asked for a photo and then said, ‘My mum loves The Traitors!’”

Now Davina is thinking of dressing up as The Traitors frontwoman Claudia Winkleman when she hosts Comic Relief: Funny For Money on Friday 20 March. “It happens to Claudia all the time as well, which is hilarious,” laughs Davina.

Joel Dommett wears a red velvet suit for Comic Relief

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Joel Dommett is hosting with Davina (Image: Getty Images)

Davina began 2026 having radiotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in October last year and having a lumpectomy. It followed a previous health scare a year earlier when Davina had a craniotomy to remove a benign brain tumour. Davina described her cancer diagnosis as a “very, very frightening thing,” and is now thrilled to be back at work, especially when it involves raising millions for charity.

“Comic Relief is in my DNA,” she says. “I know the charity, I know how they work, and I know how much they care. What I love is that all the money raised will help people with the essentials that matter most – food, a place to sleep, and feeling safe. It’s a really, really good charity.”

Davina will be hosting the telethon with comics Joel Dommett, Katherine Ryan and Nick Mohammed, while Catherine Tate will be appearing as her beloved but foul-mouthed character Nan. “What’s so nice is that I’m hosting with Joel Dommett, and Joel’s actually one of my best friends,” says Davina. “It’s so nice to be presenting with him. Knowing that I’m with him while also presenting with Nan is very reassuring, because I am mildly terrified of Nan, if I’m honest. How I’m going to stop her from swearing, I just don’t know! Obviously ‘please do not swear’ was my catchphrase on Big Brother – so I’m going to have to stay on my toes.

“Katherine Ryan, I love. I mean, Nick Mohammed, I was obsessed with Ted Lasso so I’m so excited about working with him. It’s going to be an amazing night.”

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary dress as bank robbers hiding their faces under bandanas

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Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have filmed a sketch about bank robbing

It looks as though Davina’s fears are well-founded. When asked if she’ll behave and if the hosts should be nervous, Catherine says, “No I won’t and yes they should.” The night will feature comic routines, sketches and charity appeals. Davina expects Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will steal the show with their skit.

“We’ve got ‘The Bank Job’, which is a sketch with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary that will be really funny,” says Davina. “Basically, they have an utterly brilliant idea to raise massive amounts of money in a really quick, silly way – they’re going to hold up a bank! That’s going to be hilarious. There are loads of other fun things around the corner as well.”

With the news agenda dominated by war, crime and politics, Davina hopes the show will restore viewers’ faith in humanity. “I don’t know any other nation to be so good at making fun of themselves, and we need to really celebrate that in dark times,” says Davina. “Let’s celebrate something that we are really brilliant at, and all behave totally ridiculously.”

The star is thrilled to have such a great line-up alongside her at this year’s Comic Relief , but her dream line-up is even better. “I’d have George Clooney, Kate Bush, and Michelle Obama in it,” says Davina. “And funnier people than me would have to come up with the story! But that’s what I want and I’m putting it out there to the universe. Make it happen.”