Alan Davies on speaking out and why he almost quit QI

Comedian Alan Davies is best known as the only permanent panellist on BBC quiz show QI. He also played the magic trick inventor with a knack for solving murders in BBC mystery drama series Jonathan Creek, which ran from 1997-2016.

Now Alan is back on tour for the first time in ten years, with dates across the UK until October. He spoke to Saga Magazine about his difficult childhood, growing old and whether there’s any chance of Jonathan Creek returning. 

The full interview appears in July’s Saga Magazine available on subscription and in selected retailers.

How he almost quit QI

QI’s been in my life for 20 years. There was a time when I thought I should leave and try something different, but that would have been an idiotic move.

It’s an amazing programme and a privilege to be involved. It was around the time I was doing Jonathan Creek, plus stand-up and my chat show. I wondered if I was getting on people’s nerves.

Will Jonathan Creek return?

 Every now and then, I get asked if Jonathan Creek will come back, but that’s down to the creator, David Renwick. It’s been nine years since he parked it, so I think it’s unlikely.

Someone wanted to make a US version, turning Jonathan into a wisecracking cool dude. David would have made tons of money, but said no.

On speaking out about his childhood

In 2020, I went public with the details of how I was sexually abused by my father as a child and, unsurprisingly, coming to terms with what happened to me has taken a lot of work.

By speaking out, you also have to be prepared for the fact that when you confront your family with something like this, you may lose them. You hear this from survivors; the family close ranks as they have their own relationship with the abuser. They’re wrestling with their own stuff.

Do I regret going public? No. I was contacted by so many people who said that reading about me had allowed them to share their story.

They were no longer carrying around that shame. If you know someone who’s had something awful happen, sit down with them, listen, and give them a hug.

I lost my mum when I was six and watching our three [children] at that age changed my perspective. I was amazed at how young they were – the help they needed getting dressed, going to school, riding a bike.

How important it is to show them you love them – things I never had.