Intelligence Squared – An Evening with Alan Davies (Part Two)

Date: January 18, 2026
Host: Intelligence Squared (Producer: Mia Sorrenti)
Guest: Alan Davies (Comedian, Actor, Writer)
In conversation with: Journalist and broadcaster Jenny Kleeman
Venue: Union Chapel, London

Episode Overview

In the second part of this live event, Alan Davies continues his frank and engaging conversation about his life, career, and perspectives on comedy, family, trauma, and change—both personal and societal. He fields questions from the audience and interviewer Jenny Kleeman, sharing candid insights about his experiences with abuse, illness, the shifting landscape of British comedy, and the enduring importance of laughter and togetherness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family, Childhood, and Writing about Trauma

• Audience Question: "How have your brother and sister reacted to you being so open about what's happened to you?" (02:20)
  • Alan Davies: His brother ceased contact after Davies had their father arrested for historical sexual abuse. His sister "didn't want me to write the book," believing "our childhood is private," but they remain in contact. Alan acknowledges the deep family tensions abuse causes:

    "Often the abuse is in the family and is powerful in the family. And the fear of displeasing that person often means that this one person is pushed out the nest." – Alan Davies (04:23)

  • Davies references "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk, stressing the widespread cost and secrecy of childhood trauma.

2. Search for Surrogate Family

• Audience Question: "Do you think if you hadn't married and had kids, you'd always be searching for surrogate families?" (06:00)
  • He admits the book-writing process revealed how his life in comedy and on TV sets was, unconsciously, a continual quest for makeshift families:

    "When I first got on the comedy circuit...they were a little family. Jonathan Creek, the crew was the same crew every summer...I realised that's what I was after." – Alan Davies (06:52)

3. Storytelling: Comedy vs. Books

• Audience Question: "Which do you find a more powerful form of storytelling, comedy or books?" (07:14)
  • Davies contrasts the ephemeral spark of stand-up with the lasting resonance of a great book:

    "Even the best stand up gig, you'll say to someone that saw this bloke last night, it was hilarious... But really, a book stays with you your whole life, doesn't it?" – Alan Davies (07:45)

4. Using Comedy to Address Difficult Topics

• Discussion: On using comedy to surprise and challenge audiences, especially by sharing trauma (08:22):
  • Davies jokes about audience discomfort and his own tendency to mix dark material with lighter fare:

    "I do say to the audience, now this has become a hostage situation to try and, you know, it's not an easy... In a minute I've got some hilarious stuff about erectile dysfunction and it's just about what sort of a...You've got to try and get the same cake otherwise you're not showing everyone the whole thing." – Alan Davies (08:58)

  • He observes that comedians improve at integrating life and performance—"The only trouble is they can't remember what they're supposed to be saying."

5. Mortality & Health Scares

• On including his experience with cancer in his book (09:44):
  • Candidly recounts discovering blood in urine, immediate fears, and the cancer diagnosis:

    "By the time I knew I'd had cancer, it was in the bin. So I was really lucky, really lucky. So now added bonus, cancer tips...And if you're an ex smoker or a smoker, always wee in the bowl if you can, because you need to see that blood." – Alan Davies (11:19)

6. Are There Off-Limits Subjects in Comedy?

• Audience Prompt: "Is there no subject you can't make funny?" (12:22)
  • Davies is adamant that no topic is off limits if approached honestly:

    "No, no, there's no subject off limits. And I've always thought that's the case...what's difficult in life is rampant dishonesty. That is why people hate politicians." – Alan Davies (12:28)

7. Satire, Comedy, and Modern Absurdity

• Audience Question: "Do we still need comedy in a ridiculous world?" (13:33)
  • Alan insists we do, even amid serious crises like climate change, referencing climate-driven migration, the Syrian conflict, and the anxieties of younger generations.
  • The role of comedy: not necessarily to provide solutions, but to unite people and help process fears.

    "I know people want to laugh. I know I do...I think maybe that's a purpose of any sort of performance, is to get everyone in the same room." – Alan Davies (16:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker/Context | |-----------|-------|-----------------| | 04:23 | "Often the abuse is in the family and is powerful...the fear of displeasing that person means this one person is pushed out the nest." | Alan Davies on family dynamics after abuse | | 07:45 | "A book stays with you your whole life, doesn't it?" | Alan Davies on books vs. stand-up | | 08:58 | "Now this has become a hostage situation...In a minute I've got some hilarious stuff about erectile dysfunction." | Alan Davies on blending dark/light subjects | | 11:19 | "By the time I knew I'd had cancer, it was in the bin. So I was really lucky...if you're an ex smoker...always wee in the bowl." | Alan Davies on his cancer diagnosis | | 12:28 | "No, there's no subject off limits...what's difficult in life is rampant dishonesty." | Alan Davies on freedom in comedy | | 16:18 | "I know people want to laugh. I know I do...maybe that's a purpose of any sort of performance, is to get everyone in the same room." | Alan Davies on the importance of performance |

Audience Q&A Highlights

Mr. Strawberry, Obscure References (17:44)

• Alan reflects with amusement on a radio show character he once played, demonstrating his self-deprecating humour:

  "That was very funny to do because we had to do a disclaimer. The disclaimer was Mr. Strawberry may contain real Strawberry." (18:00)

Jonathan Creek and Football (21:34)

• Would he reprise his role?

  "I would do Jonathan Creek again but it's very unlikely...And Bergkamp." (21:50)

Changes in Audiences (22:17)

• Comedy audiences have aged with him, but fundamentally, "if you're funny, you'll make them laugh."
  • Recounts anecdotes of playing to older crowds, weaving humour into the realities of age and live performance.

Choosing Comedy at 16 (24:05)

• On discovering performance in further education:

  "I decided at 16 in a drama lesson at Loughton College...which was run by Piers Gladhill, who I'm constantly mentioning in all of my books because he really changed my life." (24:22)

Nerves Onstage (26:50)

• Describes nerves on returning to stand-up, particularly at the Albert Hall:

  "I was crapping myself...I just wanted my own toilet, which I used three times." (27:00) "Once the show's done and you know it's funny, you're fine. But the early bit when it's new is...Oh, God, might go wrong." (28:36)

Family and Funny at Home (29:27)

• Is it funny living with Alan Davies?

  "No, my wife does not find me funny. She's funnier than I am...She felt vaguely let down that I hadn't been funnier around the house. If you're capable of this, where has this been?" (29:37)

Diversity in Comedy (31:33)

• On the industry's evolution:

  "I didn't really realize...there was a black comedy scene going on...But nowadays comedians find their audiences online...It's hard to tell, but I think people are finding their audience." (31:33)

QI: Sandy or Stephen? (34:48)

• No hesitation:

  "Oh, Stephen Fry. Come on. It's always Stephen Fry...It was more fun in the old days." (34:48)

Key Segment Timestamps

• [02:20]—Family reaction to memoir and abuse
• [06:00]—Surrogate families and comedy as connection
• [07:14]—Books vs. stand-up as storytelling
• [09:44]—Cancer diagnosis and including it in the memoir
• [12:22]—On limits in comedy
• [13:33]—Comedy's role in "a world beyond satire"
• [17:44]—Audience Q&A begins (Mr. Strawberry anecdote)
• [21:34]—Jonathan Creek & football preference
• [22:17]—Audience age, changing rooms, performing for older crowds
• [24:05]—Choosing comedy at age 16
• [26:50]—Handling nerves and Albert Hall debut
• [29:27]—Is Alan funny at home?
• [31:33]—On diversity and finding audiences in comedy
• [34:48]—Stephen Fry vs. Sandy Toksvig on QI

Closing Reflection

Part Two with Alan Davies is a rich blend of the deeply personal and the playful, offering an honest look at the scars of abuse, the evolution of British comedy, mortality, and the pleasure and pain of the creative process. Davies's openness, wit, and humility shine throughout, making for an evening at once moving, thought-provoking, and genuinely funny.

Listen For

• Alan's moving reflection on family estrangement and the hidden epidemic of abuse.
• The surprising importance of surrogate families found through work and friendship.
• Witty, sometimes self-mocking anecdotes about nerves, audience demographics, and life at home.
• Honest, nuanced discussion about what can and cannot be joked about.
• Audience Q&A offering both profound and entertaining moments, from Jonathan Creek to Mr. Strawberry.

For more episodes and events, visit Intelligence Squared.