Ricky Gervais once joked there was no point marrying “before the eyes of God because there is no God” – but after 44 years with Jane Fallon, he’s finally found a powerful authority worth impressing.
For most of their relationship, Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon, both 65, have been perfectly content without a marriage certificate.
The couple met while studying at University College London when they were both 21 and have been together since 1982, building a life that Gervais has long argued already looks an awful lot like marriage.
In fact, The Office creator once offered a characteristically blunt explanation for why they had never bothered making it official.
“We are married for all intents and purposes, everything’s shared and actually our fake marriage has lasted longer than a real one,” the brilliant comedian said in 2010, per People. “But there’s no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God.”
For years, Fallon appeared equally happy with that arrangement.
“We’re not married because neither of [us] are fussed,” the best-selling novelist told the Daily Mail in 2018. “I think if one of us really cared then we would probably do it, but it’s not really been anything that either of us have ever really needed.”
And marriage wasn’t the only traditional milestone they decided they could happily live without.
‘We do everything together’
Gervais and Fallon also chose not to have children, with the comedian once describing kids as “too much hassle,” while Fallon later explained in a column for the Guardian that “being a mother wasn’t who I was meant to be.”
Those choices have shaped a relationship that has followed its own rhythm for more than four decades.
“We do everything together: go for a walk every day, eat every meal, watch telly on the couch,” the vegan and outspoke advocate for animal welfare recently told Saga magazine.
Even Gervais’ enormously successful comedy career has been arranged, when possible, around a life the pair can enjoy together.
“We have our favourite 15 places in Europe – my tour is around: ‘Is there an arena in a wonderful city with a lovely five-star hotel?’” the Alley Cats creator explained. “The night before the gig, we go out for a meal, then the next day we explore, I do the gig and we go home.”
But earlier this year, the couple who have shared almost their entire adult lives were confronted with a frightening reminder that their time together isn’t something either can take for granted.
Jane Fallon’s cancer diagnosis
In March, Fallon revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after the disease was detected during a routine mammogram shortly before Christmas.
“I had no symptoms but the brilliant radiographer spotted something iffy and sent me for further tests, and eventually a biopsy,” Fallon wrote on Instagram.
“It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie,” she admitted. “But my surgery is scheduled for the week after next and I just want to get it over with now.”
Despite the frightening diagnosis, Fallon reassured followers that she was receiving “incredible care” and said “all will be fine.”
Days later, she shared that she was back home recovering from surgery, where the couple’s cat Pickle had apparently taken over nursing duties.
And now, after spending decades insisting that he and Fallon couldn’t possibly be any more married than they already were, Gervais has revealed there is one thing powerful enough to finally get him down the aisle.
‘That will be the reason I marry’
It isn’t a sudden burst of romance that changed his mind, but something considerably less sentimental: the British tax system.
In the U.K., assets left to a spouse or civil partner are generally exempt from inheritance tax, meaning marrying Fallon could protect her from a hefty tax bill after his death. For Gervais, that practical benefit is finally enough to make things official.
“That will be the reason I marry. We haven’t done it yet,” he told Saga Magazine.
“But if it wasn’t for [tax]… why? It’s mad. How more married can you be? We share all our money; we’ve been living together for 40 years.”
And even with marriage finally on his to-do list, Gervais couldn’t resist poking fun at the institution he has avoided for decades.
“Some marriages don’t last a year. It’s horrible, isn’t it? I’ve got to get around to marrying, before I die,” he quipped.
Would you get married after 44 years together just to keep the taxman away? Tell us what you think of Ricky Gervais’ very practical reason for planning to say, “I do,” then share this story so we can hear from others!
READ MORE
- Fans furious over Ricky Gervais “tone deaf” post after ‘Office’ co-star Lucy Davis’ terminal cancer announcement
- Family of millionaire hunter killed by elephants reveals awful way they learned of his death
