Davina McCall will 'do anything' to stop her tears from flowing on Long Lost Family
Long Lost Family presenter Davina McCall has techniques to stop herself from bursting into tears when delivering important news to participants on the ITV show.
Davina McCall has developed techniques to stop herself from crying on Long Lost Family.
The 58-year-old star hosts the ITV series - which strives to reunite family members after lengthy periods of separation - alongside Nicky Campbell and has to stop herself from breaking down in tears when she delivers life-changing news to participants on the show.
Davina told Best magazine: "I've taught myself to pinch my thumb or press my fingernail into the palm of my hand if I think I'm going to cry when I'm talking to the contributors.
"It would kill me to have one of them asking me if I was okay while I was revealing to them some of the most important information they'll ever hear, answers to questions they've been waiting and waiting for, for decades. It is sometimes the biggest day of their lives.
"The last thing they need is to be worrying about either Nicky or me. Wanting to give us a hug! So, I'll do anything to stop myself crying."
Davina admits that Long Lost Family is fulfilling as it can provide "closure" for those who are searching for their relatives.
She said: "The contributors get closure after years and years of wondering and not knowing. It's like an itch they're finally able to scratch.
"Even when the answers aren't the longed-for ones, you often see shoulders literally drop with relief once they're given. And if it doesn't work out in the way the contributors hoped, we provide the support they need to deal with that.
"One thing I constantly hear is, 'I wish I'd done this earlier.'"
The Masked Singer judge has vowed to cut down on her TV work after facing brain tumour and breast cancer scares in the past couple of years but intends to carry on presenting Long Lost Family in the long-term.
Davina explained: "I love my work and intend taking it easier in order to calm my mind a bit.
"But as long as Long Lost Family want me, I'm there. It is definitely one of my favourite jobs. It is an absolute honour to work on and is the best 'feel-good' TV show in the entire universe.
"I know that I'm speaking for Nicky, too, when I say that I'm so blessed to be a part of it."
