Ricky Gervais’ partner Jane Fallon has been diagnosed with cancer (Picture: David Fisher/ Shutterstock for NT)
Ricky Gervais’ partner Jane Fallon has revealed she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer despite having no symptoms.
Jane has been in a relationship with the British comedian, 64, for 44 years. They met while studying at University College London in 1982.
Posting the health update on Instagram today, she shared a selfie and wrote: ‘So…I thought I should post something as I’ve had a few people notice I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately.
‘About a month ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer – very early stage thankfully & the prognosis is excellent. I had a routine mammogram a week before Christmas.
‘I had no symptoms but the brilliant radiographer spotted something iffy & sent me for further tests & eventually a biopsy. Since then I’ve had more mammograms, more biopsies and an MRI so they can pinpoint the problem area precisely.’
She continued: ‘It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie. But, my surgery is scheduled for the week after next and I just want to get it over with now.
‘I’m getting incredible care and all will be fine but I’m not engaging with much beyond audiobooks & jigsaws tbh.’
Concluding the post she wrote: ‘Dr Eric on duty. Nurse Pickle wondering when lunch is. ❤️❤️’ One of the photos she shared showed a teddy bear dressed up as a doctor, while the couple’s cat Pickles was illustrated with a nurses outfit.
Ricky has previously said they chose not to marry because ‘there’s no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God’ or have children because they ‘didn’t fancy dedicating 16 years of [their] lives… and there are too many children, of course’.
Jane is an author and TV producer (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Rex)
Last month Jane appeared on the Second Act podcast, in which she spoke about having no regrets about their decision.
‘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. It was always about work and my life. I was never into that romance stuff,’ she said.
‘As I got older, I just realised [becoming a parent] wasn’t for me. I’m a real catastrophist… I assume the worst. When I watch my next sister up and her two kids, she’s so brilliant. She’s just got that balance right of letting them be independent but not being reckless.
The couple met in 1982 while studying at university (Picture: James Veysey/ Shutterstock for NTA)
‘I would stifle the life out of my kids. I can’t even let my cat out. I think your job as a parent is to create independent, go-be-free [children]. But it’s really hard. I just thought I’ll be a better auntie – and auntie to my friends’ kids – than I will be a mother. I just didn’t think I’d be very good at it because I thought I’d be too anxious.’
Jane initially worked for a theatrical literary agency, before going on to become a script reader and script editor for theatre productions and television, including EastEnders, This Life, 20 Things to Do Before You’re 30 and Teachers.
In 2006 she then turned her attention to becoming a full-time novelist, releasing her debut Getting Rid of Matthew the following year. It became a national bestseller. In the years since she’s published a further 11 novels, which have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Her 2008 novel Got You Back was also made into a musical titled Joyride.
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