Davina McCall: 'Television is not good for children'

Davina McCall has said she feels bad about allowing her children to watch TV.

The Big Brother presenter- who is mum to Holly, eight, Tilly, six, and three-year-old Chester - believes that television affects youngsters' behaviour and is "not good" for them.

She told Psychologies magazine: "I only let them watch 15 minutes in the morning, and an hour after dinner, if I'm honest I feel bad about that hour, it's not good for kids to watch telly - it definitely affects their behaviour."

The 42-year-old, whose long and varied television career has also included hosting a prime time chat show called Davina, presenting Comic Relief and playing a bloodthirsty zombie in Dead Set, is now fronting a Sky1 talent show called Got To Dance.

She was asked how she would feel if one of her children wanted to audition for a reality TV show when they were older.

Davina said: "I'd ask them where they thought it would take them.

"I couldn't tell them not to do it. But being in that house (Big Brother) makes you look at how your behaviour affects others, so it can be a very positive personal journey."

Asked if fame was a trial to put herself through, Davina said: "I wanted to be famous to prove I was worth something.

"But the day I got my own show on MTV I cried all night because it didn't bloody validate me and I'd spent years thinking it would. Fulfilment's an inside job. I just try to give more than is expected. That little bit extra takes you so far."

The full interview appears in the February issue of Psychologies.