The comedian and novelist met at University College London in 1982 and have been together since.

Ricky Gervais’ longtime partner, author Jane Fallon, reveals breast cancer diagnosis

The comedian and novelist met at University College London in 1982 and have been together since.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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March 12, 2026 6:32 p.m. ET

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Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon in London in 2018. Credit:

Tim P. Whitby/Getty

- Ricky Gervais' longtime partner Jane Fallon revealed on Instagram she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

- The author said that it was a "very early stage" diagnosis" and "the prognosis is excellent."

- Gervais and Fallon met in 1982 while at University College London and have been together ever since.

Ricky Gervais' longtime partner, Jane Fallon, revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"Bit of news..." Fallon shared in a selfie on an Instagram post on Thursday, March 12. The author wore a black T-shirt in the candid health update with the text "(no one panic)" at the bottom of the image.

"So... I thought I should post something as I’ve had a few people notice I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately," the writer began. "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."

"It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie," the *Welcome to the Neighbourhood *author admitted. "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."

"Dr Eric on duty. Nurse Pickle wondering when lunch is. ❤️❤️," concluded Fallon, referring to the other images in her Instagram update of a stuffed bear dressed as a doctor, and Pickle the cat appearing to wear a nurse uniform.

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Gervais and Fallon met in 1982 while both studying at University College London and have been in a relationship since. They've supported each other's careers throughout their decades together

The *After Life *creator explained why they hadn't tied the knot in a discussion about their relationship with *The Times** *in 2010.

“Don’t see the point,” Gervais said at the time. “We are married for all intents and purposes, everything’s shared and actually our fake marriage has lasted longer than a real one…but there’s no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God.”**

Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon in London in October 2022.

Ian West/PA Images via Getty

Fallon shared the secret to their decades-long relationship while speaking with *The Daily Mail *in 2018: "To paraphrase Joan Collins, separate bathrooms is the secret to a happy relationship — separate bedrooms would be a disaster though!"

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"Other than that I don’t really know; it sounds pathetic, but you just have to get on. You’ve got to be friends, and you have to be able to laugh - I just don’t understand couples that aren’t friends. Otherwise, what’s the point?" she continued. "I also find it very odd when people have separate friends and want to do everything separately."

Fallon also admitted that she and Gervais weren't "fussed" when it came to marriage.**

Jane Fallon and Ricky Gervais in Beverly Hills in 2016.

Frazer Harrison/BAFTA LA/Getty

Fallon is an author who published her first book, *Getting Rid of Matthew*, in 2007. She is also known for *Faking Friends *(2018), *Tell Me a Secret* (2019), and *Queen Bee* (2020), among others. Her latest book, *Welcome to the Neighbourhood*, was published in January.

She has also served as a producer on the shows *This Life*, *Teachers*, *EastEnders*, and the miniseries *Undercover Heart*.

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