Davina McCall admits her son Chester, 16, finds her ‘so embarrassing’ as she tells how families will be able to ‘relate’ to her new mid-life dating show My Mum, Your Dad
Davina McCall has admitted that her teenage son Chester finds her ’embarrassing’ as she discussed her brand new mid-life dating show My Mum, Your Dad.
The TV presenter, 55, is returning to screens on the ITV show, which follows single parents who have been nominated by their grown-up kids for a second chance at love.
Davina herself found a second love in 2019, when she started dating hairdresser Michael Douglas, two years after her split from her husband of 17 years Matthew Robertson.
Speaking about the new show, which will air for two weeks from September 11, Davina has told how viewers will be able to relate to the families on the show.
She told how she believes her own son Chester, 16, will watch the show ‘laughing’ and see her own ’embarrassing’ behaviour in some of the parents’ actions on screen.
Cringing: Davina McCall has admitted that her teenage son Chester finds her ’embarrassing’ as she discussed her brand new mid-life dating show My Mum, Your Dad
Exciting: The TV presenter, 55, is returning to screens on the ITV show, which follows single parents who have been nominated by their grown-up kids for a second chance at love
Speaking to Christine Lampard at a Q&A about the show, Davina said: ‘It’s reframing mid-lifers. Children who enjoy this programme will go “uh sex, uh!” and then go “oh my God mum you do that!”.
‘I know my sixteen-year-old son will be laughing his head off and go “God, you’re so embarrassing, you’re just like that. Then, adults will go, “see!”. Everybody will be able to relate to something on this show.’
Davina also shares daughters Holly, 21, and Tilly, 19, with her ex-husband Matthew, who she tied the knot with back in 2000.
My Mum, Your Dad will see the single parents spending 24/7 together in a large country house, whilst, unbeknown to them, their children watch every moment and play matchmaker from a nearby bunker.
They believe they are being matched up by relationship experts, when in reality, Davina has shocked their children by roping them in to help with the dates.
Davina admitted there were moments in filming where the adult kids were hiding behind cushions from embarrassment, but insisted there will be no sex scenes shown on TV.
She explained: ‘There are no cameras in the bedrooms, I think it’s important to point out that it is different in that way.
‘For me personally speaking, I’d rather watch the hint of love, the hint of something coming, should I shouldn’t I, a moment of tenderness – that’s so exciting – but jumping into bed with each other sh**ging, once you’ve seen it once, it doesn’t mean anything.
Kids: Davina said she thinks her own son Chester, 16, will see her own ’embarrassing’ behaviour in the parents’ actions on screen. She also has two daughters – Holly, 21, and Tilly (pictured), 19
Romance: Davina herself found a second love in 2019, when she started dating hairdresser Michael Douglas (pictured), two years after her split from her husband Matthew Robertson
Exes: Davina tied the knot with her ex-husband Matthew (pictured in 2013) in 2000, but they split up 17 years later
‘This really f**king means something, when you see people falling, you know this is serious. That’s so lovely. But yes, there are moments where the kids have got cushions over their faces. They’ve never seen their parents in a date situation.’
My Mum, Your Dad has been described as ‘the middle aged Love Island’, and Davina said she unintentionally gave the programme its nickname and has been trying to ‘burn’ it ever since.
She told how she wrote an email to ITV pitching her own idea for a middle-aged dating show, and while that never got used, she was called in to host My Mum, Your Dad.
Speaking of the email, she said: ‘It was my fault that it got called mid-life Love Island, because that’s what I called it in my email, I’m sorry about that. We’ve been trying to burn that name ever since! I’m sorry, I’ve ruined it!’
Similar to Love Island, My Mum, Your Dad will air on weeknights from September 11 but will only last for two weeks, with Davina insisting it can be shorter because the parents know what they are looking for.
There is no prize money up for grabs at the end of the retreat, with Davina telling how ‘the prize is love’ as she insisted there is nothing ‘cynical’ about the show.
Davina also spoke about the difficulties of dating in your 40s or 50s, admitting that struggles with confidence and self-esteem don’t get any easier as you get older.
She said: ‘It doesn’t get any better as you get older, sometimes you can rationalise it more, but it’s still there. We witness that a lot, and you are willing them, someone to go and talk to them about it.’
The former Big Brother host confessed that many middle-aged singletons struggle to understand dating apps, making it harder for them to find their second loves.
‘We’re of that generation where apps are weird, we don’t know how to do apps,’ she said. ‘Like “what do you mean you’re still talking to 17 other people when we’re going out?”, I don’t understand how that works! It’s hard isn’t it!’
Davina went on to describe the show as a ‘dream come true’ as she spoke about how she has always wanted to see middle-aged love represented on primetime TV.
She said: ‘When I walked in, I was literally beside myself. Firstly because it was like a dream come true to walk into an entertainment TV programme, primetime ITV, and see my people.
Dating: My Mum, Your Dad has been called ‘the middle aged Love Island’, and Davina said she unintentionally gave the programme its nickname and has been trying to ‘burn’ it ever since
Funny: My Mum, Your Dad will see single parents live in a large country house, as unbeknown to them, their kids (pictured) watch every moment and play matchmaker from a nearby bunker
Concept: There is no prize money up for grabs at the end, with Davina telling how ‘the prize is love’ as she insisted there is nothing ‘cynical’ about the show (the parents are pictured)
Reality TV: My Mum, Your Dad will air on weeknights from September 11 but will only last for two weeks (the parents are pictured with their matchmaker children)
‘A bunch of mid-lifers, who all look really cool, really fun, culturally at the same place in life, we all understand each other, second time-rounders. It was really brilliant to be in a room with those types of people.’
My Mum, Your Dad will kick off on September 11 and will see four single mothers and four single fathers be dropped off at a West Sussex mansion by their kids for their second chance at love.
The parents and children are both told that relationship experts will guide the dates, but the kids are given quite the shock when they are told they are, in fact, the experts.
Over the course of two weeks, the single parents will go on dates and attend workshops to get to know each other, all while their kids play matchmakers.
My Mum, Your Dad starts Monday September 11, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The series will run on consecutive weeknights for two weeks.
My Mum, Your Dad: Meet the single parents and their matchmaker kids!
Meet the parents … and their matchmaker kids!
Name: Monique
Age: 50
Location: Winchmore Hill
Profession: Therapist/student
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Kind-hearted, a believer in God and positive. I radiate love!
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? To dip my toes back in the pool of dating, and try and connect with someone and find love, and experience living with other people again.
Name: Sharon
Age: 53
Location: Sunderland
Profession: Safeguarding and welfare officer in education
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Fun, genuine, personable.
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? She was getting desperate! I’d lost all confidence in myself. I think for Tia she was wanting to give me a bit of a helping hand.
Name: Caroline
Age: 51
Location: South Lanarkshire
Profession: Tech advisor/scan assistant at a private baby clinic
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Charismatic, outgoing and fun. I can be a bit fiery at times!
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? I’ve been single for such a long time, it’s probably the longest I’ve ever been single! I’ve always been quite happy being single but I think she thought, ‘Mum, you need to get out there!’
Name: Natalie
Age: 44
Location: Bournemouth
Profession: Self-esteem and relationship recovery coach
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Adventurous, deep and outgoing.
Why did your son nominate you for MMYD? I’ve been on my own for a long time. I think he thinks it’s my time for me now.
Name: Paul
Age: 51
Location: London, lives in Bath
Profession: Owner, decorating company
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Very chilled, laid back and loyal.
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? She feels I need to sort myself out when it comes to dating!
Name: Clayton
Age: 57
Location: Nottingham
Profession: Pastoral support officer
How would you describe yourself in a few words? I’m pretty effervescent. I’m all about balance in terms of fun – I’d say there’s a cheeky side to me.
Why did your son Christian nominate you for MMYD? He’d like to see me settled with someone I could have a future with.
Name: Roger
Age: 58
Location: Derbyshire
Profession: Postman
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Fun, loving, conscientious, struggling to get old – I don’t want to get old. I lost my wife, I know that you can get up and life can be over in a split second.
Why did your daughter Jess nominate you for MMYD? She’s a lovely girl. Her mum was really thoughtful in everything – she could plan things to a detail – and Jess has got that. She is so thoughtful and it was just a lovely thing for her to say, ‘Dad, look, we understand that you’re struggling and it’s been hard and we know that you’ve got a lot of love to give and we’re OK if you were to see someone else’.
Following my wife passing 18 months ago, I didn’t really want to meet anyone. You don’t expect it to be you and you don’t expect it to be your wife. But I’m going on the show to get some confidence. I must have subconsciously wanted to meet someone by saying yes to the show.
Name: Elliott
Age: 53
Location: Essex
Profession: PE teacher/football coach
How would your son describe you? He’d say I am good fun, easy going (I’m not easy going).
Why did your son nominate you for MMYD? He wants rid of me! I think the prospect of me being in his life for too much longer was a burden. No, he just wants me to be happy.
Name: Taiya
Age: 21
Location: North London
Profession: Student
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? I nominated my mum because I think she deserves love! She’s put everything aside to raise me and my sister for so many years so I thought now is my mum’s time.
Name: Tia
Age: 24
Location: Sunderland
Profession: Social media influencer
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? I feel like it’s finally her time to be happy. I think she’s put herself on the backburner to bring up myself and my sister. In the last few years I feel like she’s given up on love, so she didn’t want to try anymore. I hope putting her forward will be the push she needs to put herself first.
Name: Karli
Age: 20
Location: South Lanarkshire
Profession: Flight attendant
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? She was single for a while and she doesn’t seem to have any luck with guys. So I thought why not?
Name: Kaliel
Age: 20
Location: Bournemouth
Profession: Gas and plumbing apprentice
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? Because I wanted her to find someone and be happy. I saw it advertised and I thought it would be perfect for her.
Name: Mazey
Age: 21
Location: Bath
Profession: University Student
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? I want to see him settled. The way he was dating before wasn’t working. I wanted him to date outside of the box.
Name: Christian
Age: 35
Location: Nottingham
Profession: Graphic artist/warehouse employee
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? I just want him to settle down, find the right person – he’s getting on now! I want him to live life with someone. I want him to travel with someone and get out there.
Name: Jess
Age: 28
Location: Derbyshire
Profession: Network rail planner
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? It was a joint thing with my brother and sister and it was our way of basically telling him that we were happy for him to start dating, if that was something he wanted to do.
It was a cop out on our part really, as it meant we didn’t need to sit down and actually say it. It was a sneaky way of saying, ‘Oh look at this, do you want to look into this?’ Never actually expected anything to come of it.
It was about putting dad first. We’d never really thought about us, or about ourselves in that situation. I wasn’t thinking about how I’d react, I was thinking about him.
The reason for that is he does the same for us, he would always put family first. So it was just a way of saying to him, stop worrying about us. If he wasn’t ready, that was also totally fine. It wasn’t an ultimatum. It was just, if you want to, you can, don’t worry about us.
Name: Zachary
Age: 21
Location: Essex
Profession: University student
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? He deserves a chance to be happy and he hasn’t had that. I want him to have what a lot of his friends have done; get married and settle down. He deserves the opportunity to find the ‘end stages’ of love.
