Tom Davis on Sobriety, Fatherhood & the Anxiety That Took Him Off Stage

Begin Again with Davina McCall

FlightStory

Society & Culture, Self-improvement, Mental Health, Education, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 631 Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2025

⏱️ 72 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of Begin Again, actor, comedian, and writer Tom Davis opens up about the battles behind the laughter—and how sobriety and fatherhood helped him find himself again. Best known for Murder in Successville, King Gary, and his raw, relatable humour, Tom shares the quieter struggles that shaped his journey: crippling anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the fear that nearly stopped him from ever stepping on a stand-up stage again. In this intimate and revealing conversation, Tom explains how giving up alcohol brought him clarity, how becoming a father changed everything, and what it took to return to comedy after years of self-doubt. Alongside his partner Kathryn, he also speaks candidly about grief, IVF, and the strength it takes to support a loved one through illness. This is a powerful story of growth, vulnerability, and learning to show up for the people you love—especially yourself. Whether you're battling self-belief or just need a reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, Tom’s journey is funny, moving, and packed with perspective. 💬 Drop a comment: What’s your biggest takeaway from Tom’s journey? 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @beginagain 🎥 Watch more on TikTok: @beginagainpod (00:00) Intro (00:24) Overcoming Dyslexia: Tom’s School Struggles (00:59) Imposter Syndrome & Believing in Yourself (03:50) How Early Jobs Shape Identity (08:56) Finding Comedy (14:27) Anxiety and the Pressure to Succeed (19:16) Losing Yourself on the Path to Success (25:24) Ancient & Brave Ad (29:35) Airbnb Ad (31:02) Supporting a Partner Through Illness (32:47) Kathryn’s Fertility Journey (35:17) Coping with Grief: Tom Opens Up (41:02) Choosing a Surrogate & Quitting Alcohol (44:02) Gaining Perspective & Returning to Stand-Up (51:03) Fatherhood and Life with Daughter Grace (55:11) Lifestyle Changes and Getting Fit (57:28) Failing Forward: Being Kinder to Yourself (01:03:25) Tom’s Hero & a Message from Kathryn - Sponsored by: Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet Airbnb - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:30.1	I was 24 stone. I drank a lot. I went to his doctors and had like a liver of a 70 year old
0:35.0	alcoholic. I drink before a gig, I drink after a gig.
0:37.8	And what did that feel like?
0:41.1	When I first started stand-up, I was fearless for like 10 minutes on stage.
0:45.2	I'm able to do something that I enjoy.
0:47.8	I then started a piling pressure on every gig.
0:50.3	The imposter syndrome never went away.
0:51.8	Like somewhere along the line, I'd lost who I was on stage. Lost a lot of self-worth. I felt like I've kind of let everyone down. Catherine, my wife, was like, this is making you so unhappy. I'd probably lose my relationship if I carry on. I don't know what I'd have done her without her. She'd been in for these tests. And she was in the early stages of septic sort of shock but that's when
1:12.4	we were sort of told they're like you know she wouldn't be able to carry children anymore I feel so
1:16.3	blessed to be becoming a dad so I never thought I'd have that so I have to treat that with the respect
1:21.0	it's deserved I make all the wrong choices when I'm drunk and I'm over I don't want any wasted
1:25.0	mornings I need to be healthier I I grew into myself. I grew into
1:28.3	what I am now. What has been the most useful for you in your life? Having knocks along the way
1:35.1	and there's a resilience. I'm trying to tell people, don't be scared of failure. You don't really
1:39.2	want to be lying on your deathbed surrounded by the regrets of the things you didn't do.
1:45.0	Tom Davis, hi.
1:46.5	Hello.
1:47.2	It's so nice to have you here.
1:49.1	We are connected by so many kind of mutual coincidences.
1:54.4	Our paths have so nearly crossed.
	...

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