Florence McCall (née Hennion) was the French mother of television presenter Davina McCall, best remembered for her unpredictable, glamorous, and often troubled life. Her relationship with her daughter was shaped by long periods of distance, moments of affection, and the ongoing challenges of addiction. Although Florence lived far from the spotlight, her influence on Davina’s childhood and later work has made her a significant, if complicated, figure in the presenter’s story.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Florence Hennion McCall |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly recorded |
| Age at Death | Early sixties (died in 2008) |
| Birthplace | France |
| Nationality | French |
| Height, Hair & Eye Colour | Not publicly recorded; described as glamorous in style |
| Education | Not documented |
| Profession | Various jobs; no known long-term profession |
| Family | Former spouse Andrew McCall; daughter Davina McCall |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | Not known |
| Known For | Being Davina McCall’s mother and their complex mother–daughter relationship |
Early Life and Education
Little is formally recorded about Florence Hennion’s early years in France, but what is known paints the picture of a woman who combined glamour, spontaneity, and deep personal complexity. She grew up in a French community that valued social charm and confidence, qualities she carried into adulthood. According to Davina, her mother had an air of unpredictability that was both captivating and unsettling. That contrast would become a defining thread throughout Florence’s life.
There is no detailed account of her schooling, though it’s clear she was comfortable in social settings and drawn to excitement. Davina has spoken about her mother’s fondness for nightlife, fashion, and social gatherings. Those interests shaped her habits and her approach to the world. Florence was not someone who lived quietly. She followed her impulses and often prioritised the thrill of the moment over steadiness or structure.
Her early adulthood took her between France and the UK. She eventually married an Englishman, Andrew McCall, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Davina. For a brief time, Florence tried to settle into family life in London. Yet the pull of her previous lifestyle, combined with her struggles with alcohol, made that difficult.
Personal and Family Life
Florence’s marriage to Andrew McCall did not last long. When Davina was three, the couple separated. Andrew remained in the UK, while Florence returned to France. This decision created a physical and emotional gap between mother and daughter that would widen over time.
Davina was raised primarily by her paternal grandparents in Surrey. They provided the structure and reliability that Florence, for many reasons, couldn’t offer. Still, Florence remained a presence in Davina’s life. Davina travelled to see her mother during the holidays, often in France or later in other countries where Florence lived.
Those visits, occurring mainly during Davina’s holidays in her childhood and teenage years, were colourful but unpredictable, reflecting changes over time. Davina has described her mother as fun and flamboyant, but also chaotic. Florence tended to treat her daughter as a friend rather than as a child. That dynamic created moments that Davina later recognised as unsafe or inappropriate. For example, when Davina was twelve, Florence took her to a nightclub and left her alone, or, during other visits in Davina’s teens, Florence exposed her to drug use.
Despite the turbulence, Davina speaks of her mother with a mix of frustration, sadness, and compassion. She has spoken about loving her mother deeply yet fearing the situations Florence’s lifestyle created. Their relationship was marked by long stretches of distance, short bursts of closeness, and painful misunderstandings.
The most severe break between them came in 2000. Shortly before Davina’s wedding, Florence sold a story about her daughter to a tabloid newspaper. Davina later said she felt betrayed and devastated, and the event pushed them further apart.
Florence’s life continued across several countries, eventually settling in South Africa. Reports suggest she was seeking a quieter life, though struggles with alcohol and stability remained.
Career Journey
Unlike her daughter, who built a well-known career in television, Florence never had a public profession. She worked at various points in her life, though the details are largely private. Her identity in the public eye exists almost entirely through her connection to Davina rather than through her own career.
What is known is that Florence lived a lifestyle shaped more by personal choices than professional ambitions. She valued socialising, relationships, and leisure above long-term career building. Her choices often reflected a desire to live freely, perhaps too freely for her own well-being.
Florence’s addiction impacted both her work and her relationship with Davina. Davina later used this experience to support addiction awareness, indirectly extending Florence’s influence.
Life Challenges and Turning Points
The central challenges in Florence’s life were her dependency on alcohol, her difficulty maintaining stable relationships, and her tendency to live in extremes. Addiction is a recurring theme in Davina’s accounts of her mother. It coloured Florence’s decisions and complicated every relationship around her.
Her marriage breakdown was a turning point. Returning to France put distance between her and Davina, shaping their relationship.
Another turning point came when Davina became famous. Florence struggled to understand the boundaries that fame required. The decision to sell a personal story to the press marked an emotional break that neither fully repaired. For Davina, it was a line that once crossed could not be undone.
Florence’s eventual move to South Africa was described by some as an attempt to find space or a new start. But her addictions followed her. In 2008, she died there, leaving Davina with a complicated mix of grief, relief, and forgiveness.
Davina did not go to the funeral. She later said it would have been too much, too raw. By then, she had already made peace in her heart—a private resolution, out of step with public expectations, but truer to her own journey through grief.
Current Life and Legacy
Florence passed away in 2008, so her “current life” exists only in the memories and stories told by those who knew her, especially Davina. Her legacy is complicated. She is remembered as a woman who was charming, unpredictable, and troubled. She was neither a villain nor a hero. Instead, she was a flawed person whose life choices had a strong impact on those closest to her.
Her daughter’s openness has also shaped Florence’s posthumous image. Davina often speaks about her mother while discussing themes such as addiction, forgiveness, and childhood trauma. In many ways, Florence’s story contributes to the public understanding of how addiction affects families across generations.
Davina’s current work on programmes such as Long Lost Family often explores themes of separation and reunion. She has said that her experiences with Florence gave her empathy for families who have lived through emotional distance and fractured relationships.
Net Worth and Financial Status
There is no public record of Florence’s net worth. She avoided high-profile work and led an inconsistent lifestyle, traveling often not from wealth but from instability.
Her financial situation appeared modest, and she was never described as financially secure. In interviews, Davina has spoken more about emotional dynamics than material circumstances when reflecting on her mother’s life.
Public Image and Media Presence
During her lifetime, Florence kept a relatively low public profile. She became known to the UK press mainly through her connection to Davina, particularly after selling a story in 2000. This incident shaped how some members of the media viewed her: as unpredictable, troubled, and at times opportunistic.
Over the years, Davina’s reflections have softened that image. She has spoken about forgiving her mother and understanding the deep struggles she faced. As a result, the public now tends to see Florence through a more compassionate lens, recognising the complexity behind her actions and the challenges of addiction.
Florence is remembered for her impact on Davina and as an example of the complexities of family relationships.
Fun Facts and Anecdotes
Florence loved glamour and dressed boldly, carrying herself as the center of attention.
Florence adored nightlife, as shown by the nightclub story from Davina’s childhood, illustrating her love of fun over caution.
She moved countries more than once. France, England, and South Africa each hosted chapters of her life, reflecting her restless nature.
Despite everything, she had moments of warmth. Davina has said that when Florence was affectionate, she could be incredibly loving, even if those moments didn’t last long.
Conclusion
Florence McCall’s life was full of contradictions: glamorous yet troubled, affectionate yet unreliable, present yet distant. Her addiction struggles shaped her choices and relationships, especially with Davina. Despite the pain, Florence’s story has helped others understand addiction’s impact on families.
Through Davina’s honesty, Florence’s life is now part of a larger conversation about forgiveness, resilience, and the complicated bonds between parents and children. She remains an important figure in Davina’s story and a reminder that every family history includes both light and shadow.
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(FAQs)
Who was Florence McCall?
Florence McCall (née Hennion) was the French mother of TV presenter Davina McCall. She was known for her chaotic lifestyle and her long struggle with alcohol.
What was her relationship with Davina like?
It was difficult and often strained. Florence treated Davina more like a friend than a daughter, and her addictions created instability throughout their relationship.
Where did Florence live?
She lived mainly in France after her divorce, later moving to South Africa, where she died in 2008.
Did Florence have a career?
There is no record of a long-term career. She worked in various roles but was not publicly known for a specific profession.
What was Florence’s legacy?
Her life, though troubled, shaped Davina’s understanding of addiction, resilience, and forgiveness. Davina has used those experiences to help others, especially through her work on Long Lost Family.