In a rare and candid interview, Jane Fallon has offered a deeply personal glimpse into her enduring relationship with comedian Ricky Gervais, a partnership that has spanned over four remarkable decades. The 65-year-old author, who first met Gervais while they were both university students, has shared the reasoning behind their mutual decision to forgo both marriage and parenthood.
A Life Built on Shared Values and Independence
Appearing on the Second Act podcast, Fallon reflected on her lifelong perspective, which has always prioritised career and personal fulfilment over traditional societal milestones. "When I was little, you know the cliche of a little girl is they imagine their wedding day and their wedding dress... it was none of that ever," she revealed. "It was always about work and my life. I was never into that romance stuff."
This focus propelled her to a successful career as a television producer, a path she later exchanged for authorship after securing a book deal in the late 2000s. Since the release of her debut novel, Getting Rid of Matthew, in 2007, Fallon has authored an impressive eleven additional titles.
The Conscious Choice Against Parenthood
Fallon spoke with clarity about her decision not to have children, expressing no regrets. She described herself as a "real catastrophist" who naturally assumes the worst, a trait she believes would have made motherhood a challenging experience.
"I would stifle the life out of my kids. I can't even let my cat out," she admitted humorously. "I think your job as a parent is to create independent, go-be-free [children]. But it’s really hard."
Instead, she has chosen to channel her nurturing instincts into her role as an aunt, both to her sister's children and to the children of close friends. "I just thought I’ll be a better auntie... than I will be a mother," Fallon explained. "I just didn’t think I’d be very good at it because I thought I’d be too anxious."
A Partnership Without Formal Vows
The couple, who have shared a home in north London for years, have also consistently chosen not to marry. Gervais previously articulated their view to The Times in 2010, stating, "We are married for all intents and purposes, everything’s shared and actually our fake marriage has lasted longer than a real one."
He added a characteristically blunt rationale: "But there’s no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God."
Echoing this sentiment, Fallon told the Daily Mail in 2018 that marriage was simply not a priority for either of them. "We’re not married because neither of [us] are fussed," she said. "I think if one of us really cared then we would probably do it but it's not really been anything that either of us have ever really needed."
Their story stands as a testament to a long-term relationship defined by mutual understanding, shared independence, and a conscious rejection of conventional expectations, proving that commitment can thrive without traditional labels.
