Alan Davies has opened up about his fears of mortality as he looked back on his fight with bladder cancer. The actor, best recognised for his role in the BBC series Jonathan Creek and as a regular panellist on QI, received his diagnosis in 2024 after spotting blood in his urine. Following the discovery of a small tumour by doctors, the 60-year-old admitted he thought about death throughout the ordeal.
Speaking to My Weekly magazine, he said: "I'm very fortunate to have beaten bladder cancer. I spotted some blood in my pee and tests detected a small tumour, which I had surgically removed. During that time, I thought a lot about my own mortality. Now, I realise it was a really lucky escape."
The comedian had his tumour surgically removed. Looking back on the operation, Alan previously said on The Jonathan Ross Show: "In 2024, I had bladder cancer. Luckily, [there was] a little bit of blood in the toilet bowl and I saw it. It's not very nice and it's not as bad as you think. They got it out, so phew."
According to the NHS, blood in your urine is the main symptom of bladder cancer. Other symptoms can include: pain, burning, stinging or itching when you pee; getting lots of urinary tract infections; needing to pee more often; needing to pee very suddenly; losing your appetite and losing weight without trying; pain in your back and lower tummy; aching, pain or tenderness in your bones; feeling very tired for no reason and feeling generally unwell. It's important to seek advice from your GP if you are concerned about any symptoms.
Alan reflects on his cancer ordeal in his new book, which he was writing when he received his diagnosis. "It was a bad week, waiting for the results to see if it's gone anywhere else," he told The Guardian. The experience has also served as inspiration for his forthcoming stand-up tour. "I feel my current tour is a more complete picture of who I am, what I've experienced, talking about childhood abuse for the first time and trying to find a way to weave that into a comedy show," he added. When quizzed on whether audiences would find it amusing, he responded: "Oh, God, I think it's the funniest show I've done."
The BBC star also made a recent appearance on Alan Carr's Life's A Beach podcast, where he spoke candidly about his plans for the future and his ideal retirement destination. "Well I used to think, like a lot of people think, oh you want to be looking out at the sea or be by water. And then I stayed in a hotel with the balcony for the sea, I looked out [and thought], 'Oh it's beautiful' and then in bed that night, the sea was driving me mad because it was so loud," he added. "But it had a nice view. But I think I really like it in New York, I like Sydney Harbour, those are the places that come to mind."
