Davina McCall reveals she “made an effort” after men stopped whistling wolves at her in her 40s – and wore sexy underwear every day when she was single.
The TV presenter said she puts on underwear every day to feel great and insisted that wearing “off-white, mismatched” underwear was “not enough self-love”.
She said she was disappointed when she turned 45 because no one cared about her anymore.
The 56-year-old TV presenter spoke at the opening of the world's first midlife sex festival for menopausal women on Thursday.
Davina said: “When I was single, I walked around in sexy lingerie and knew no one but me would see it.” And that made me feel great.
Davina McCall (featured in a JD Williams lingerie campaign in 2023) started “making an effort” after men in her 40s stopped catcalling her – and wore sexy underwear every day when she was single, like the one she wore on Thursday Wellness event revealed
The TV presenter (seen in 2007) said she puts on underwear every day to feel great, insisting that wearing “cream colored, mismatched” underwear is “not loving yourself enough”.
“I think lingerie is really important.”
She added: “So many friends of mine wear beautiful dresses and then I say, 'Show me your underwear' and they're cream and they don't match. “It's about not loving yourself enough.
“The first thing you put on in the morning, even if you're not with anyone else, is your lingerie.”
The new month-long online sex festival is led by Glasgow doctor Claire Macaulay, who spoke to Davina at the launch.
Davina revealed how she felt “disappeared” when she turned 45.
She said: “I was completely non-existent.” I have to be honest.
“When I was in my mid-30s, I was walking down the street and attracted attention. People would look or I would get a wolf whistle. “Of course I don’t want to be bothered, but there was nothing.”
The Masked Singer judge felt like she was “blending into the wallpaper” and said she would go to a party and think she had nothing to say because “no one heard or saw me.”
Davina (seen in 2023) said on Thursday that at 45 she was devastated because no one was following her anymore
Davina (seen in 2019) said: “When I was single, I walked around in sexy lingerie and knew no one but me would see it.”
The Masked Singer judge felt like she was “blending into the wallpaper” and said she would go to a party and think she had nothing to say because “no one heard or saw me.”
“I felt like I was gone,” she added. “I started telling myself, 'If you don't see me, then I'm going to make sure you see me.'” I decided I wasn't going to go quietly.
“So I pay more attention to my appearance now than I did when I was younger.”
Davina continued: “You don't have to like me, you just have to see me.” I want to exist. And that is very important to me.
“As a woman, if you feel this and feel invisible, start making small changes to make yourself visible.” And exercise will give you more confidence to do this.
“You must desire yourself before someone else will desire you.”
“Exercise will help you get there, HRT, healthy eating, and acts of self-love like taking a bath and exfoliating or moisturizing your skin.”
Former Big Brother presenter Davina, who has been married twice, also urged women to buy lube and sex toys, adding that people never talked about it when she was younger.
She said: “As a middle-aged woman, I now think that lube should be in every woman's drawer, whether she has a dry vagina or not.”
“I care more about my appearance now than I did when I was younger,” said Davina (featured in a 2021 JD Williams lingerie campaign) about her decision to wear more lingerie
Former Big Brother presenter Davina (seen in 2019), who has been married twice, also urged women to buy lube and sex toys, adding that people never talked about it when she was younger
“Masturbation is a word that people shouldn't be embarrassed about either.” It is one of the greatest pleasures. “Every woman should have some lube and a sex toy suitable for her on her bedside table.”
However, she urged parents to heed her warning, adding: “But if something arrives from you for the sex shop, tell your children not to open brown boxes!”
In her online session with Dr. Macaulay also discussed vaginal estrogen and the reality of HRT to Davina.
She spoke about the reality of vaginal atrophy in menopausal women and urged women to “get your vagina fixed.”
Davina said: “If you want to talk to your GP about whether or not you are menopausal, then if you have a dry vagina, put that on the list to talk to the GP about.”
“Your doctor will then just listen to what you say, and you didn't put away your dry vagina because you were hoping they would ask you, but then maybe they won't.”
“This is the easiest solution of all.” And it is the most unpleasant and exhausting. It is the one thing that influences your desire the most. So get it fixed.'
The 30-day online festival will cover a variety of topics, from sex toys to problems in the bedroom, but also topics related to relationships, libido and desire.
Davina's revelations come after she was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting following a television career spanning more than two decades.
Pictured: McCall shakes hands with the Princess Royal as she is awarded an MBE
She smiled as she was presented with the award by Princess Anne at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
McCall was joined for the occasion by her partner Michael Douglas and daughter Holly Robertson.
The TV presenter praised the Princess Royal after she was made an MBE for her services to broadcasting.
Davina said Anne had always been one of her favorite royals and shared her “hungry” outlook on life.
The presenter added that she was “scared” before the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, but it was an “honor.”