Cancer-stricken Davina McCall, Myleene Klass and Twiggy join a string of midlife stars on the first ever HELLO! Second Act Power List

Davina McCall, Myleene Klass and Twiggy are among the famous names that broke new ground. HELLO! Second Act Power List.

Spanning television, fashion, sports, philanthropy, literature, beauty and activism, this group of women take center stage in a stunning cover shoot, cementing their status as role models for a new generation.

At the top of the list is Davina, HELLO!’s Second Act heroine; Davina shared on Saturday that she was diagnosed with breast cancer just a year after undergoing surgery for a benign brain tumor.

He is joined by many legendary women including Twiggy, Myleene, Dame Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, Marie Helvin, Mariella Frostrup, Tanya Moodie, Jo Wood, Ruby Hammer, Susannah Constantine, Amanda Wakeley and Amber Nuttall.

The Power List was launched at a special celebration at Sartoria Launceston Place, the latest launch of the EVOLV Collection, where influential women came together for an unforgettable night of fun and inspiration.

From empowering speeches to a packed dance floor, this evening encapsulated everything that Act Two of HELLO! stands for: independence, reinvention, and unapologetic self-belief.

The first of its kind, this Power List celebrates women who not only embrace the Second Act, but own it.

Whether through activism, art, reinvention or leadership, each honoree embodies the message that life at 40, 50, 60 and beyond can be the most vibrant time yet.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a mini bottle of Piaff Champagne; Canapés such as truffle arancini, veal tartare, burrata and anchovy tartlets were served at Sartoria Launcenston Place, while bespoke cocktails such as Jo Vodka’s Blackberry Jo-jito and Apple Old Fashioned were sipped alongside Margot Robbie’s Papa Salt Coastal Gin martini trays.

Among those who lit up the room were The Marchioness of Bath Emma Thynn, Glynis Barber, Tessy Ojo, Adele Parks, Jenny Stoute, Jo Good, Donna Ida, Jo Glynn-Smith and Nadia Alibhai.

Davina gave a stirring speech celebrating the strength and resilience of women, followed by author Kathy Lette.

Kathy called on guests to “hit the dance floor with a flourish” – a call that was enthusiastically answered as Dame Denise Lewis led the crowd in a choreographed Candy dance routine; Dame Kelly Holmes then joined Mi-Soul DJs Lorraine Ashdown and Janice Vee on the deck, much to the delight of the crowd.

HELLO!’s Chief Content Officer Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon also gave a heartfelt speech highlighting the community behind Second Act.

He shared why the Power List was such an important milestone: ‘Hello! is determined to reshape the conversation about midlife.

At the top of the list is Davina, HELLO!’s Second Act heroine; Davina shared on Saturday that she was diagnosed with breast cancer just a year after surgery for a benign brain tumor.

The Power List was launched at a special celebration at Sartoria Launceston Place, where influential women came together for an unforgettable night of fun and inspiration.

Reflecting on a life that embraces new adventures, 76-year-old Twiggy, one of the most iconic supermodels of the 60s, said: ‘You have to believe and believe… I only do the things I want to do.’

Dame Kelly Holmes, 55, also shared the freedom of living authentically: “You’re getting to an age where you think, ‘I know me now… You’re important to yourself.'”

‘Middle age, which was once seen as a period when women were invisible, the beginning of the end, we now see as an exciting new beginning, an opportunity to reset ambitions, renew priorities and evaluate life with the powerful perspective of lived experiences.

‘This list is a celebration of the incredible breakthroughs being made to give women the confidence to create the Second Act they want for themselves and ensure the rest of the world is behind them as they embark on this exciting new chapter.’

Throughout the night, award winners spoke candidly about empowerment, identity and the freedom that comes with life’s next chapter; Davina’s words after her cancer diagnosis were the most touching.

She said: ‘I feel like my life starts at 50 and I think what mother nature takes away in terms of youth and child-bearing ability, she gives you back the wisdom.’

Known as one of the most iconic supermodels of the 60s, 76-year-old Twiggy reflected on a life full of new adventures: ‘You have to believe and believe… I only do the things I want to do.’

Myleene Klass, 47, spoke about turning pain into purpose after campaigning for a change to miscarriage legislation, saying: ‘My superpower is not just resilience, it’s transformation.’

Denise Lewis, 53, has described her later years as a ‘second act’ after confirming her split from husband Steve Finan after 17 years of marriage.

He said: ‘I love my second act; I feel like I can do anything.’

Dame Kelly Holmes, 55, also shared the freedom of living authentically: “You’re getting to an age where you think, ‘I know me now… You’re important to yourself.'”

On Saturday, Davina shared the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer but was spared a potentially devastating fate thanks to a poster warning of breast cancer symptoms.

She shared how she was ‘sitting on the toilet’ when she found the lump while checking herself out, prompted by posters put up by Lorraine Kelly and her daytime show.

Davina had noticed signs at ITV headquarters encouraging women to ‘check their breasts’.

The poster shows what women should check and says: ‘If you notice anything unusual, contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.’

It also has a large eye-catching message on the top: ‘SAVE YOUR LIFE in the time it takes to change.’

In her video message announcing the diagnosis, Davina emphasized that her cancer was caught ‘very, very early’ but that she would still need five days of radiotherapy in January as an ‘insurance policy’ to prevent cancer.

She said: ‘So I had a biopsy and sure enough it was breast cancer and I had it removed with a lumpectomy about three weeks ago.’

On Saturday, Davina shared the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had surgery after finding a lump in her breast while filming The Masked Singer.

Davina went on to describe the results of her surgery and how the doctors explained everything to her.

The former Big Brother presenter continued: ‘It was very, very small so I got it very early which is incredibly lucky but I’m so relieved I got it out and it didn’t spread.’

After thanking doctors, nurses, her family and fiancé Michael Douglas, she admitted: ‘I was furious when I found out but I’ve moved on from it and I feel in a much more positive place now.’

Davina captioned the clip: ‘The message here is to know your breasts. Notice the changes. Don’t delay. Get your free checks. And never ignore a giggle. Sending big love.’

The star first revealed her diagnosis during the Dine With Davina charity event, which left the assembled crowd gasping.

She said: ‘Lorraine Kelly had put up signs behind all the doors saying ‘check your breasts’ and that’s what I did every time I went to the toilet.

‘It was still there and then one morning I saw myself in the mirror and thought, ‘I’ll get this checked out.’

Following the announcement, fans and celebrity friends rushed to the comments to send their well wishes to the star.

Davina announced in November 2024 that she had been diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumor.

He revealed he was cancer-free after a grueling six-hour operation to remove a 14mm cyst on his brain.

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