Davina McCall backs new cancer hospital

Broadcaster Davina McCall has narrated a new short film about the planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

The 58-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, but said in April she had received the "all clear" following surgery.

Work started to clear land for the new £41m hospital last year and construction is expected to begin in 2027 at a former car park on the city's Biomedical Campus.

In the film, The Power of Proximity, McCall said "cancer touches every life" and that it was an honour to meet staff delivering cutting edge cancer treatment.

McCall, who also had surgery in 2024 to remove a benign brain tumour, said: "Cancer touches every life. For many of us, it becomes part of our story, but here in Cambridge something extraordinary is happening.

"Patients, doctors and scientists are coming together with one shared purpose — to change what a cancer diagnosis means."

Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be a new facility bringing together clinical expertise at Addenbrooke's Hospital with leading scientists across the University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre.

Dr Hugo Ford, director of cancer services at Addenbrooke's Hospital and clinical lead for the new hospital, said: "Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will unite world-class healthcare with cutting-edge research to transform the way we prevent, diagnose and treat cancer."

Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.