Davina McCall: French passport helps heal broken relationship with my mum

Davina McCall shared news of her visit to the French embassy with a patriotic selfie on social media

Davina McCall has been granted a French passport and dual citizenship as part of a “healing” process to reconnect with the French side of her family.

The presenter posted a photograph from the French embassy in London,with the caption: “Today I was handed my French passport. I thought of my sister,my grandparents,my mum,my uncle … this means so much.”

McCall has previously described her difficult relationship with her French mother,Florence,whom she has described as a “chaotic parent” and alcoholic.

As a result,she was raised by her paternal grandparents in Surrey. Florence died in 2008. Four years later,McCall’s half-sister,Caroline,who was raised in France,died of cancer.

Speaking ahead of receiving her passport,McCall,56,said: “My mum was French and I just feel like all of the French side of my family,the close side – my grandparents,my sister – they’ve all gone and I feel it is time now to acknowledge this half of me and reconnect.

“I’m not joking,it’s a very emotional day for me. I will be sobbing at the French embassy.”

'Culturally,this feels huge for me': McCall at the embassy

McCall said the process had been lengthy because she required proof that her mother,who later moved to South Africa,had lived in France.

“Thank God I’d done Who Do You Think You Are? and I had tons of evidence from that. I was like,‘Here’s all the files,here’s my family tree all done for me’,” she told Heart FM.

Asked which passport she would use,McCall said: “Well,when I go into Europe I’m going to show my French passport. I’m going to go,‘I’m European!’” she said.

However,when she began the process,McCall explained: “This isn’t about me just trying to make my life easier. Culturally,this feels huge for me.

“I’ve always felt a huge affinity with France,but I had a complicated relationship with my French mum and I can’t explain why but this feels very healing. Like I’m acknowledging I am half her. And it feels good. Vive la France.”

McCall’s British father,Andrew,died in 2022,several years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. In a tribute,she called him “the best dad I could ever wish for”.