Alan Davies’ love story revealed: How a near-disastrous TV stunt led the QI star to his wife Katie Maskell
Alan Davies
British comedian and television personality Alan Davies is best known for his sharp wit on television and his long-running role in the hit mystery drama Jonathan Creek. But beyond the spotlight, the entertainer’s personal life, particularly his marriage to writer Katie Maskell, has drawn renewed interest among fans.
The couple’s relationship began in an unusual and almost chaotic moment backstage at a recording of the popular British panel show QI. What started as a potentially dangerous on-stage stunt turned into the beginning of a lasting partnership that has now spanned nearly two decades.
As Davies prepares for another television appearance on James Martin’s Saturday Morning, many viewers are revisiting the story behind his private family life and how it intersects with his public career.
The Moment Alan Davies First Met Katie Maskell
The love story between Alan Davies and Katie Maskell dates back to 2005 during a recording of QI, where Davies has served as the show’s longest-running regular panellist.
Davies later revealed that he first noticed Maskell sitting in the audience. However, just as he spotted her, a comedic stunt involving breakable “sugar glass” nearly went wrong. According to the comedian, fellow performer Arthur Smith mistakenly threw what he believed was a prop glass, which came dangerously close to Davies during filming.
The unexpected incident created a memorable moment on set, but it also indirectly introduced Davies to Maskell. After the recording ended, the two met in the green room, beginning a relationship that developed rapidly.
Davies later joked in interviews that the situation was so chaotic he feared it might “end his career,” but instead it led to meeting the woman who would become his wife.
A Rapid Romance: Engagement and Marriage
Following their chance meeting in 2005, Davies and Maskell’s relationship moved quickly. Within just six months, the pair became engaged.
The couple tied the knot in 2007 in a ceremony attended by close friends and family. Serving as best man was fellow comedian Bill Bailey, a longtime colleague and friend of Davies.
Their marriage has since become one of the quieter and more private relationships in British entertainment, with both individuals maintaining successful careers while largely keeping family life away from the spotlight.
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Family Life: Raising Three Children Together
Davies and Maskell share three children. Their eldest daughter, Susie, was born in 2009, followed by their son Robert in 2011. Their youngest child, Francis, arrived in 2016.
While Davies is a frequent television personality and stand-up performer, he has repeatedly emphasised the importance of protecting his children’s privacy. As a result, details about their day-to-day family life remain largely out of the public domain.
Still, the timeline of their family life reflects a stable partnership that has continued alongside Davies’ long-running television career.
Alan Davies’ Career: From Stand-Up Comedy to TV Icon
Before becoming a household name on television, Alan Davies built his reputation on the UK stand-up comedy circuit.
His biggest breakthrough came with Jonathan Creek, the BBC mystery series in which he played the titular magician’s consultant who solves complex crimes. The show aired from 1997 to 2016 and remains one of Britain’s most recognizable television dramas.
Davies has also appeared on QI since its launch in 2003, making him the programme’s longest-serving regular panellist, even outlasting its original host, Stephen Fry.
In addition to television, Davies is an accomplished writer. His memoirs include My Favourite People and Me (2009), Just Ignore Him (2020), and White Male Stand-Up (2025), each offering personal insights into his life and career.
Katie Maskell’s Career as an Author
While Davies is widely known in television, Katie Maskell has built her own reputation in the literary world.
She studied English and Drama at University of Warwick before completing postgraduate training at East 15 Acting School.
Maskell gained recognition in 2010 when she won a £5,000 children’s book prizes from Waterstones for her novel The Great Hamster Massacre.
Her background as a literary agent and writer has contributed to a partnership where both spouses maintain successful creative careers.
Why Fans Are Still Fascinated by Alan Davies’ Marriage
In an entertainment industry often defined by high-profile breakups and public scrutiny, Davies and Maskell’s relationship stands out for its longevity and discretion.
The couple’s story, beginning with a chaotic moment during a comedy show, has become a charming anecdote that Davies occasionally shares in interviews and television appearances.
Yet despite the public curiosity surrounding the comedian’s personal life, the pair have consistently drawn a clear boundary between their public careers and private family life.
FAQ
Who is Alan Davies?
Alan Davies is a British comedian, actor, and broadcaster best known for starring in the BBC mystery series Jonathan Creek and for being a long-standing panellist on the quiz show QI.
Who is Alan Davies’ wife?
Alan Davies is married to author and former literary agent Katie Maskell. The couple met during a recording of the television show QI in 2005.
How did Alan Davies meet Katie Maskell?
Alan Davies met Katie Maskell backstage at a QI recording. He first noticed her in the audience during filming, shortly before a comedic stunt involving a glass prop nearly went wrong. They later met in the green room and began dating.
When did Alan Davies get married?
Alan Davies and Katie Maskell married in 2007 after becoming engaged six months after they first met.
How many children does Alan Davies have?
Alan Davies and Katie Maskell have three children: a daughter born in 2009, a son born in 2011, and another child born in 2016.
What is Katie Maskell known for?
Katie Maskell is a writer and former literary agent. She gained recognition after winning a £5,000 Waterstones children’s book price in 2010 for her novel The Great Hamster Massacre.
What TV shows is Alan Davies famous for?
Alan Davies is best known for starring in the BBC drama Jonathan Creek and appearing as a regular panellist on the long-running quiz show QI.
Has Alan Davies written any books?
Yes. Alan Davies has written several memoirs, including My Favourite People and Me (2009), Just Ignore Him (2020), and White Male Stand-Up (2025).
Why is Alan Davies trending in the news?
Alan Davies is trending due to renewed public interest in his marriage to Katie Maskell, particularly as he appears on television programmes and discusses the unusual story of how they first met.