Alan Davies said his experiences as a child shaped the way he behaved in romantic relationships and recounted a drunken row with former partner Julia Sawalha that ended with her flying home early from a holiday.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the 59-year-old comedian and Jonathan Creek actor described how his father’s abusive behaviour produced an "angry boy" persona that he still battles. Davies said he has been told "domestic disturbances are common in the lives of abuse victims," and acknowledged that his drinking has at times brought out aggressive behaviour toward strangers and those close to him.

Davies said he and Sawalha, 56, who co-starred with him on Jonathan Creek and later dated, argued so badly on a trip to Australia that she returned to the U.K. early. He told the paper the actress — best known for playing Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous — called him a "c***" during the dispute. Davies said he had resumed getting "blackout drunk" after a period of abstinence and cannot remember the specifics of the row that prompted her departure.

The comedian expressed regret for upsetting Sawalha, saying he recognised the harm his behaviour caused. He also said that when under the influence he sometimes lashed out at strangers, a pattern he tied to unresolved trauma from his upbringing.

Davies and Sawalha kept their relationship largely private after they were briefly involved in 2003, though they did appear together at some red-carpet events. In the interview, Davies framed the incident with Sawalha as part of a broader struggle rather than an isolated episode, noting how childhood abuse can reverberate through adult relationships.

Mental-health professionals and advocates often cite a link between early abuse and later difficulties with anger, substance use and interpersonal conflict. Davies’ comments reflect that clinical understanding, as he described how old patterns of behaviour continued to re-emerge despite attempts to change.

Davies has previously discussed his background and its effects on his life and career. He became widely known for his stand-up work and for his long-running role on the television panel show QI, as well as for his acting roles. Sawalha remains best known for Absolutely Fabulous and her television and stage work.

Both performers have kept private much of their personal lives since their relationship ended. Davies’ remarks in The Telegraph add to a string of public reflections by celebrities about the long-term impact of childhood trauma and the challenges of recovery, including managing substance use and repairing relationships damaged by past behaviour.