The comedian and dad of one reveals what dads really want for Father’s Day
With Father’s Day around the corner, we sat down with comedian Tom Davis to find out what gifts are on his wish list, what’s the best Father’s Day gift he’s ever given and where he’ll be spending the day this year.
What is the best father’s day gift you’ve ever received?
I got an amazing photo album from my four-year-old daughter; it was filled with photos of me and her from when she was born until now – which was an amazing gift. Some of the personalised stuff you get can be a bit tacky but personal things are great. When she’s had a hard day at nursery we’ll sit and look at it together. It’s very sweet. I think gifts should feel heartfelt. For my birthday she got me a snow globe from John Lewis with a picture of me and her in it, which she picked herself. It was brilliant.
What is the best gift you’ve ever given to the father figure in your life?
This sounds very flex-y but I bought my dad shares in a racehorse. There’s a scheme where you can buy a small share in a horse and my dad loves horseracing. The horse is great and it’s kept near Newmarket, so we’ve been to watch it together a couple of times. I think that’s probably the nicest thing I’ve ever bought for my dad. Although, if you ask him, he’d probably say a pair of Skechers.
Is there a gift you haven’t loved so much?
Well, I’ve only had three Father’s Days, but one year I got a basketball hoop that you put over the toilet… I have to be honest though, my wife and daughter are really good gifters. I get a lot of golf stuff because I’m really into my golf.
Are you good at gifting?
I think I’m pretty good. If it’s for my wife I just ask her outright because I’ve made some mistakes in the past, but for my daughter I take myself back to what a four-year-old wants. My Mother’s Day gifts have been nice scarves and, to be honest, I get a lot more from giving than receiving. I love thinking about a good gift, giving it and seeing the reaction. If you’re stuck thinking of something for someone then a shared experience is always a good idea.
Actually, one of the best gifts my wife’s ever given me was when we went to a safari park in Kent as a surprise. We stayed there overnight in a raised cabin in the giraffe enclosure, so they came right up to you. How she kept that a secret I’ll never know. I felt very lucky.
How was your first time being in the box for John Lewis?
John Lewis is our go-to place – it’s got everything, so I was very touched to be asked. This is very much like my personal FIFA World Cup final – I loved the experience! As a family we genuinely go to John Lewis a lot; I have one very near me (High Wycombe) so we’re often saying ‘let’s just pop to John Lewis’. I really enjoy the cafe – the cakes are incredible.
Are you taking anything home with you?
Hopefully this wardrobe! I have my eye on a couple of bits – the portable BBQ looks pretty cool. I could take it on tour with me and cook up a storm backstage. And I’d definitely love the LEGO. I’m into LEGO at the moment and find it really relaxing. My daughter loves it too; on Christmas Day this year we sat and did Moana LEGO together – it was great.
You’re currently on a UK tour, so where will you be for Father's Day?
I don’t think I have an actual show that day but, wherever I am, I’ll make sure I am back home. Even if I’m in Newcastle I’ll drive back through the night so I can wake up with my wife and daughter on Father’s Day. The hardest thing about being on tour and being a dad is being away. So I’ll wake up with them and, although I’d love a gift, I really just want to spend time with them.
What’s the best thing about being a dad? And, also, the most challenging?
My journey to being a dad as a couple wasn’t a normal one – and like a lot of people we went through a long process. We were trying for a long time and it didn’t happen. And in doing that you realise just how lucky you are and what an incredible thing it is to become a parent. So the best thing about being a dad is my daughter. There’s not a minute that goes by that I don’t think how lucky I am to have her. If I’m sad or struggling with life or whatever, I look at a picture of her and it reminds me what happiness is.
The hardest thing is being away. And you know, you have to think about what kind of dad you are being; whether you have a son or a daughter, you have to try in this modern world to give the best version of a male role model. There’s a lot of quite negative male figures out there, and I think actually trying to be the best version of what a man can (and should) be should start at home as a dad. That’s the thing I try my hardest to be every day.
