Ricky Gervais’ partner shares rare health update after breast cancer operation: ‘Big day!’

Lydia Davies

By Lydia Davies


Published: 23/03/2026

- 22:28

The author says she is waiting for the results of her surgery

Ricky Gervais’s partner Jane Fallon has shared a positive update following surgery for breast cancer, revealing the procedure “went very well” as she begins her recovery.

The author, 65, took to Instagram to update fans after undergoing an operation earlier this week, describing herself as “remarkably fine” following the procedure.


“Little update. Big day. I had my op this morning,” she wrote.

“I’m feeling remarkably fine (which is possibly the drugs…). It all went very well, apparently.”

Jane Fallon

Jane Fallon shared the surgery update to her personal Instagram account

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INSTAGRAM

Ms Fallon added that she marked the milestone with a cup of tea and a new book, while joking about her recovery, saying she is currently “held together with superglue and dissolving stitches.”

She also revealed she will need to wait between eight and 10 days for confirmation that all of the cancer has been successfully removed, noting there remains a small chance she could require further surgery.

“Now I just have to wait 8–10 days for confirmation that they’ve got it all and the margins are clear,” she explained.

The novelist also shared a light-hearted update about her dog, Pickle, who she said was quick to return to her side after she arrived home.

Ricky Gervais and Jane FallonRicky Gervais and Jane Fallon in 2022 | GETTY

“I just have to work out how to stop Pickle from trampling over my incision. She was on me within 30 seconds of my getting home. Best nurse ever,” she added.

Her update comes just days after she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, explaining that the illness had been detected at a very early stage following a routine mammogram.

At the time, Ms Fallon reassured fans that her prognosis was “excellent” and praised medical staff for the care she has received.

The diagnosis followed a series of tests, including biopsies and an MRI scan, to pinpoint the exact location of the cancer.

Her partner, comedian Ricky Gervais, has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the news emerged, but recently told fans she was “doing well” during a brief update on his YouTube channel.

Following her latest post, messages of support flooded in from fellow celebrities and fans alike.

Television presenter Kym Marsh wrote: “Sending so much love! You’re a warrior."

Meanwhile, fellow author Lisa Jewell added: “Big love, Jane.”

Others urged her to rest and take time to recover, with one fan commenting: “Glad it went well and you're feeling okay."

Another penned: “All the best Jane...only up from here.”

TV personality Lisa Dawson also advised: “Make sure you rest.”

Ricky Gervais and Jane FallonRicky Gervais and Jane Fallon began their relationship in 1982 | GETTY

Ms Fallon thanked her followers for their support, saying she had been “blown away” by the number of kind messages she had received since sharing her diagnosis.

“I’m reading every single one of them even if I’m not quite keeping up with replying,” she said.