Comedian Alan Davies, now 60, has spoken candidly about his childhood sexual abuse, a recent bladder cancer diagnosis, and his past struggles with alcohol and ego. In an interview promoting his new memoir 'White Male Stand-Up', Davies reflected on the excesses of the 1990s comedy circuit and the lasting impact of his traumatic upbringing.
Davies revealed he was sexually abused by his father as a child, a topic he first addressed in his 2020 autobiography 'Just Ignore Him'. He discovered in 2017 that his father had a large collection of pornography featuring boys, but by then his father was in his 80s with Alzheimer's and later died without facing prosecution. Davies said the process of writing about the abuse was 'necessary work' that helped him confront 'latent anxiety' and improve his happiness.
The comedian also disclosed that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, though he did not provide further details about his treatment or prognosis. He described the health scare as a sobering moment that made him reassess his priorities.
Davies discussed his heavy drinking during the 1990s, admitting he sometimes consumed two bottles of wine a night. 'There were some bad moments and some bad behaviour and things you can regret,' he said. He also acknowledged the ego that came with fame from shows like 'Jonathan Creek' and 'QI', noting that success could stoke a 'high opinion of yourself'.
Now a father of three, Davies said his latest memoir is ultimately about family, though he didn't realise it when he started writing. He expressed gratitude for the positive response to his earlier book, saying it helped others come forward with their own experiences of abuse.
