Alan Davies has revealed that his former partner, actress Julia Sawalha, branded him a 'c***' and flew home early from a holiday after a drunken row, and said he now links such incidents to the legacy of abuse he suffered from his father.
The 59-year-old comedian told the Telegraph he had been through a period of abstinence from alcohol but began drinking again and resumed getting "blackout drunk," which he said contributed to the argument on the trip to Australia. Davies said he regretted upsetting Sawalha and that, because of his drinking, he cannot recall the specific reasons she left the country early.
Davies, who co-starred with Sawalha on the mystery drama Jonathan Creek, said the effect of his childhood trauma often manifested as an "angry boy" in adult relationships. He told the newspaper he has been told that "domestic disturbances are common in the lives of abuse victims," a pattern he said has affected how he reacts in intimate and public situations. The comedian also acknowledged that, while drinking, he had lashed out at strangers on occasion.
Davies and Sawalha were romantically involved in 2003. Sawalha, 56, is best known for playing Saffy Monsoon in the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. The pair attended red carpet events together at the time but kept their relationship largely private.
In the interview, Davies spoke more broadly about the long-term impact of his father's abuse on his emotional life and behaviour. He described cycles of anger and shame that have, at times, undermined relationships and led to regrettable confrontations when alcohol lowered his inhibitions. He has publicly discussed his upbringing before and framed his recent revelations as part of an effort to explain, not excuse, past behaviour.
Davies's account adds to a string of public reflections by performers on how childhood trauma can influence adult relationships and substance use. He said he has been advised that episodes of domestic disturbance can be a common feature for people with similar backgrounds and that recognizing the pattern is an important step in addressing it.
The comedian expressed remorse for the upset caused during the trip that ended with Sawalha's early departure but did not offer additional detail about the exchange itself, citing his lack of recollection due to heavy drinking. Davies has not disclosed whether he has sought further treatment since resuming alcohol or whether he has had subsequent contact with Sawalha about the incident.
The revelations come as Davies continues to be a public figure in British entertainment, known for his stand-up work and long-running role as a panellist on the BBC quiz show QI. Sawalha has maintained a lower public profile in recent years; the pair have not commented jointly on the matter.