Begin Again with Davina McCall - Begin Again Moments: Letters of Gratitude

Episode Date: June 14, 2026

One of the most moving parts of Begin Again is the moment a guest receives a letter from someone who has loved them, inspired them, or helped shape their journey. These letters often reveal the impact we have on others in ways we never fully see ourselves. In this special Begin Again Moments episode, we bring together three unforgettable letters of gratitude. Andi Oliver receives a heartfelt letter from one of her greatest inspirations, Floella Benjamin, reflecting on the influence she has had and the path she has forged for others. Tom Davis is surprised with a deeply personal letter from his wife, Kathryn, who shares her gratitude for the strength, love and resilience he showed throughout their fertility journey, and the father he has become. And Seann Walsh receives an emotional letter from his partner, Grace, who reflects on watching him grow into the kind of parent he once needed himself. Together, these letters are a celebration of love, growth, resilience and the extraordinary power of hearing what we mean to the people closest to us. To hear the full conversations, watch the complete episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Sponsored By:Do Health - The waitlist is open. Begin Again listeners get fixed early access pricing when they sign up today at dohealth.co/beginagain use code BEGINAGAIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by L'Oreal Group. Beauty is a powerful force that moves us. That's why L'Oreal Group has built a business that is inclusive at its heart with 100% of its brands, championing diversity. With 25,000 professional opportunities for people under 30 worldwide and 54% of leading positions held by women, diversity is a strength that helps L'Oreal Group create the best beauty products for all people. Visit L'Oreal.com to learn more.

Who would you say was like one of your most positive influences? Like, can you name me a few positive influences? Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, James Baldwin. British? British, Flewela Benjamin. Okay, I'm going to stop you there. Right, okay. Because we've got something for you.

It's for you. Feel free to read it out loud to us. Oh, so you're going to read. Oh, it's from Fluella? Yeah. Oh, stop it. She's always making me cry. Dear, God, DeVina, sorry. Dearest darling, Andy, you were one of my special play school babies that I'm so proud of.

As I watch it with enormous pride and admiration as you continue to flourish and spread your infectious, unique personality across the nation. Creating joy and happiness everywhere you go, inspiring others to discover their full potential by being an intrepid, stoppable, stylish role model. You have your own special way of connecting and creating excitement and laying the path of enlightenment, which others can follow. I love you for that and for making a difference by changing attitudes and perceptions.

Yes. Here's looking at you, my darling, rising higher and higher through the round window, sending virtual hugs full of love, joy and happiness fleaella, your place for Artie. Why are you trying to kill me? But how lovely is that? Isn't that amazing? And do you know what? She was like...

Can I say something? In five years' time, you'll be writing a letter for someone like that who will say that you were her role model. Honestly, that's the joy of life and being... Because without Flewella, there would be no me. I've partnered with Do Health for this episode, and I want to tell you why.

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and use code begin again to lock in early access pricing. So we may have spoken to Catherine. Oh, God. And Catherine wrote something in here. I'm going to read it out loud to you because I want you to enjoy it. So, dear Tom, what a ride it's been since that Friday in Nando's. To say I'm so glad we met is just not enough. You made me feel like this is my fairy tale.

You are the kindest human and always make people smile and laugh with your unique sense of humour. Grace is such a lucky girl to have you as her daddy. And she will be your biggest fan when she's old enough to watch you. I can't wait for what's to come for you in this crazy career, but we will be right beside you. Love always, Catherine and Grace. Very sweet. Oh, bless. Isn't that lovely?

That's very lovely, yeah. we will be right besides you. That's very nice. I was what I'd expect to that. So yeah. It is the thing, right? It's, yeah. Yeah, coming together.

It's the past and the present. Yeah. Thank you for doing that. It's very kind. This is a letter for you from Grace. Oh, God. And we were just wondering if you would read it out to us. Oh, God.

Okay. Oh, no. God, I feel sick. Is this on every show? We do try and get something for everybody. Not from Grace. Grace is on every show. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, no. What I admire most about Sean, which I have told him before, is his unwavering dedication to his work slash dream. Despite life's challenges, he's never given up. He continues to write and create and his shows just keep getting better with each passing year. I'm just so proud of what he does and has achieved,

especially how he inspires our daughter and will eventually inspire our son. While he certainly had a profound impact on me, I'd say the most tangible change is that he's turned me into a coffee connoisseur to quote Sean, I say... Tell me. I'm always telling her.

When we met she was on the instant coffee. And so I've showed her like the world of like the long black. You've changed her life. I've changed her life. I really have for the better. Coffee is important. We're like the ultimate odd couple. Yeah, but I love that.

We do our own thing and then come together to just be. We take long walks around West London, drink coffee, and just talk about whatever is going on that week. Obviously, nine out of ten, that's something wilder is done. Parenting's been a wild ride, but I couldn't be happier that I get to do it with Sean. He is so loving, so generous, so playful, and so affectionate with them both. I'm grateful for Sean's understanding and support of our co-sleeping decision. Oh, that is a big deal.

Was that a decision? Or was that for? No, that's, yeah, I'm in with Wilder. Grace is in with... You know who Catherine Ryan is a big co-sleeping advocate. Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, it's my favourite thing. I think it's amazing and it makes them feel very safe. Do you know what? This is good. Wilder the other night, she woke up, I went in, cuddled her to sleep. I don't know why I did this

I think it's because I wanted to watch TV in bed So I went into Our main bed at the bedroom And in the morning, Wilder said Daddy You weren't there to look after me Right, I am never Ever getting out that bed ever again

Ever, ever. I'm in there till she's 30 I don't care I do not care a husband to be like, it's got to be time that your dad gets out of the bed. I'm not going anywhere. Sorry, mate.

But you know, my dad was like my dad like that. Like I'd want to sit on his knee and give him cuddles like until he died. Like I was, you know, it just never stops. No. Anyway, go on, go on. There's more. There's more.

Sorry. He never pressures me to get the kids to sleep on their own and instead prioritises their needs. It's true. amazing and it makes me love him even more. Having a partner like Sean makes navigating parenthood feel more manageable. But after saying all of this, I'd also like to ask him publicly. What does it say?

To stop leaving banana skins on the side. Do you? Hey, maybe. I might have an issue. She's funny. She is funny. Yes, she's very funny. And I might have issues putting banana skins in the bin.