Comedian Alan Davies says he never remembers the facts from QI

Australia Broadcast Center

02-05-2025

British comedian and star of the popular comedy panel show QI Alan Davies says he struggles to remember any of the facts from the series.
Davies has been a staple on the long-running BBC quiz show since its launch in 2003, first with original host Stephen Fry, who left in 2016, and now with Sandi Toksvig.
Despite being QI's only permanent panellist for more than 20 years, Davies told ABC News Breakfast he "can't remember anything that happens" on the show.
"We record early in the year usually, we just recently recorded a batch, and they go out six months later and I don't remember a thing. Literally not a thing. I don't remember anything that has been said.
Alan Davies with current QI host Sandi Toksvig, former host Stephen Fry, comedian Johnny Vegas and long-time series producer John Lloyd in 2010.
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"Sometimes I watch it and someone says something and I'm sitting on my sofa at home and I think what I would say, and the person on screen does say it. So that is weird.
"My brain is quite limited which has made it easy for them to catch me out over the years."
Davies, who also starred in the BBC mystery drama series Jonathan Creek, is returning to Australia in November and December for the first time in a decade with his new stand-up comedy show, Think Ahead.
He says he's looking forward to coming back, describing Australian audiences as a "little bit louder" than British audiences.
"I had some terrific shows on my previous tours," he says. "I am 60 in 2026 and the show is called Think Ahead because you have to do that at this moment.
Alan Davies will tour his brand-new stand-up show, Think Ahead, across Australia later this year.
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"When I started in stand-up, I didn't look further than three months ahead because that was how far ahead the comedy clubs would book you.
"So I am thinking ahead all the time and now that's fed its way into my act. It's a chance for me to let the little middle aged man scream."
COVID-19 'catastrophic' for comedians
Davies, who started performing stand-up comedy in 1988, says he is still capable of feeling nervous before a show, especially if he hasn't been in front of a live audience in a while.
"Getting onto the stage is the thing. Then it just comes back like a muscle memory, it is the most fun for me.
"I have been gigging all the time, apart from during COVID which was awful for our profession, it was catastrophic, with all the live venues shut down.
"This is the first tour since COVID. Theatres are packed again and I love being face-to-face with the audience, it's the best thing. So I have been gigging, just not touring.
"Apart from COVID, having a third child really impacted on my tour time."
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Davies says putting together a new stand-up show is like "panning for gold".
"I just sort of jot things down, things I've heard, things I've thought of, start doing a few gigs and stuff starts to come up.
"I have got some funny things to say when I come."
Davies's tour will mean he's in Australia for Christmas this year. He says he'll be joined by his wife, Katie, and his three children.
"I am looking forward to doing all the work and then putting it down and having a great Christmas in New South Wales."
Think Ahead will be touring across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Newcastle, Toowoomba, Caloundra, Brisbane, Canberra, Thirroul and Sydney in November and December.