Former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall and Sarah Hiscox have been best friends for 40 years
Davina admitted that she wouldn’t be here without best friend Sarah(Image: ITV)
Davina McCall was left in tears as she opened up on her addiction battle live on air.
The beloved TV presenter, 58, admitted she “wouldn’t be here” without the help from close friend Sarah Hiscox.
The duo, who have been best friends for 40 years, appeared on Thursday’s (July 2) episode of Lorraine Kelly’s ITV chat show as Sarah promoted her new book, The Beginning and End of Everything, that looks into her devastating drug addiction.
At the time, Sarah’s addiction was so bad that it cost her both her marriage and custody of her two sons. Now, after 25 years sober Sarah is now back with her family and she says she couldn’t have done it without Davina.
In a heartfelt moment, Davina was tearful as she admitted: “I’m so unbelievably proud of her. In so many ways she put herself out there. She wrote a book that was very painful for her to write.”
Visibly moved, she continued: “Behind all of it is the sweetest most beautiful love story ever.. I’m going to start crying. Sarah’s husband is an amazing man and what they went through together and where they are now.”
In an emotional moment, Davina went on to explain how Sarah ‘saved her life’. The former Big Brother presenter started drinking during her teenage years before developing a heroin habit, but she became clean and has maintained sobriety for over three decades.
She admitted: “She got me clean – I wouldn’t be here without her. I really wouldn’t. I was desperate and I was pretending and I was trying to fake everything was fine.”
Turning to Sarah she continued: “She (Sarah) was honest with me and I hated her for it. She locked me in the car.”
Sarah jumped in: “I loved her and I could see this incredibly vital woman that I loved. You know, she’s family to me. I could see her just disappearing. She was running clubs at the time and everybody wanted to be on the guest list for one of her clubs so no one would dare confront her.”
She explained: “So I locked her in the car and I said listen…” Davina joked: “I thought I was going to a Santana gig.”
Lorraine said: “You were getting a right talking to.” Davina admitted: “Yes I was.” Lorraine went on: “But isn’t that the thing about how much you need your pals because when the tables were turned, Davina you helped.”
Turning her attention to Sarah’s book, Davina pointed out: “You know what I also think is an important message for anybody watching is that I read this book and I had to call you (Sarah) every five pages because I didn’t know.
“I was best friends with her when we were 19, but I was kind of taking drugs recreationally. It was getting quite out of control but I was so self obsessed and wrapped up in myself, I didn’t know how broken she was.”
She added: “You’ve got to ask people how they are, check in and make sure they’re ok. Double check in – ‘How are you really?’ – because I never knew.”
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9.30am on ITV1 and ITVX.