Nick Davies is a British investigative journalist, author, and documentary maker, best known for his role in uncovering the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. Born on 28 March 1953, he spent much of his career working for The Guardian, where he developed a reputation for meticulous, public-interest reporting. His work on the phone-hacking affair led to the closure of the newspaper, the Leveson Inquiry, and multiple criminal convictions.
Davies’s career spans more than four decades, during which he won several major journalism awards, including the British Press Awards Journalist of the Year. He is also the author of several books, most notably Flat Earth News and Hack Attack, which respectively critique media malpractice and chronicle the Murdoch phone-hacking scandal. Since retiring in 2016, he has maintained a low public profile, but his influence on investigative journalism remains significant.
Who is Nick Davies?
Nick Davies at a Glance
| Born | 28 March 1953 (age 71) |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Investigative journalist, author, documentary maker |
| Known For | Exposing the UK phone hacking scandal (Hack Attack) |
Key Insights
- Nick Davies is best known for his investigative work on the News of the World phone hacking scandal, which led to the Leveson Inquiry.
- He retired from journalism in 2016 after 40 years, mostly at The Guardian.
- His book Hack Attack is considered the definitive account of the phone hacking affair.
- Despite his prominence, Davies keeps his personal life private; his wife’s name is not publicly confirmed.
- No verified information about illness exists; any rumors are unsubstantiated.
- His net worth is speculative, as he has not disclosed it publicly.
Key Facts about Nick Davies
| Full name | Nicholas Davies |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 March 1953 in London, England |
| Education | University of Oxford (studied English) |
| Career | Started at The Times, then freelance, joined The Guardian in 1980s |
| Major investigation | Exposed widespread phone hacking by News of the World (2005–2011) |
| Awards | Journalist of the Year (British Press Awards), George Orwell Prize, among others |
| Retirement | Announced in 2016, now lives in the UK (location undisclosed) |
| Books | Flat Earth News (2008), Hack Attack (2014), Dark Heart (1997 novel) |
What is Nick Davies Known For?
The Phone Hacking Investigation
Davies is most famous for his role in exposing the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. In 2009, he and The Guardian reported that journalists at the newspaper had been intercepting private mobile phone voicemails. The story gained global attention in July 2011 when it was revealed that the voicemail of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler had been hacked.
He testified before Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in July 2009, criticising police for not investigating the allegations thoroughly. His reporting directly led to the closure of the News of the World, the Leveson Inquiry, and several criminal convictions.
Davies has described the phone hacking scandal not as the work of a few rogue reporters but as a systemic failure of management and regulation within News International.
Awards and Recognition
Over his career, Davies received the British Press Awards Journalist of the Year, Reporter of the Year, and Feature Writer of the Year. He also won the George Orwell Prize for his work. According to the BBC, he was inspired to become an investigative journalist after watching the film All the President’s Men. For more on notable British journalists, see the Adrian Chiles – Biography, Wife, Net Worth and Career.
Where is Nick Davies Now?
Retirement in 2016
Davies retired from investigative journalism in 2016 at age 63. He announced his retirement on his personal website, stating he intended to travel. Since then, he has kept a low profile, with no public appearances or new publications.
Is He Still Alive?
Yes, as of 2025, Nick Davies is alive. There are no credible reports of his death. He remains a private individual, and his current exact location is not publicly known beyond that he lives in the UK.
Social Media Presence
Davies is not active on public social media platforms such as Twitter. He has maintained a deliberate distance from the public eye since retiring.
Who is Nick Davies’s Wife?
Marital Status
No reliable source confirms the name of Nick Davies’s wife or whether he is currently married. Public biographical information focuses on his professional work, and he has not publicly discussed his marital status. The Wheeler Centre profile notes that he has three children and lives in Sussex, but does not name a spouse.
Children
One biographical profile from the Wheeler Centre states that Davies has three children and lives in Sussex. However, no further details about his family are available in the public record.
Davies’s personal life is not a matter of public record. Any claims about his wife or family beyond the limited information above are unverified.
What is Nick Davies’s Net Worth?
Nick Davies has not publicly disclosed his net worth. Public sources focus on his journalism, books, and awards, and do not provide audited financial information. Some speculative estimates place his net worth between $1 million and $5 million, but these figures are not confirmed by any reliable source.
Any net worth figures for Nick Davies found online are estimates and should be treated as such. No official financial disclosure exists.
What Books Has Nick Davies Written?
Non-Fiction and Investigative Works
Davies has written several books. His most famous is Flat Earth News (2008), which criticises media standards and coins the term “churnalism”. Hack Attack (2014) is the definitive account of the phone-hacking scandal, detailing how the truth caught up with Rupert Murdoch.
Other Books
- White Lies – about a racist miscarriage of justice in Texas.
- Murder on Ward Four – about NHS failures and the Beverly Allitt case.
- Dark Heart – a novel about British poverty.
- School Report – about government education policy.
Documentary Work
There is no verified documentary directed by Davies. However, he has been the subject of media portrayals, including the 2025 ITV drama The Hack, which depicts his role in the phone-hacking story. For another British author and media figure, see the David Baddiel – Biography, Books, Songs and Taskmaster.
Timeline of Nick Davies’s Life and Career
- 1953 – Born in London, England.
- 1970s – Attended University of Oxford, studied English.
- 1980s – Began journalism career at The Times; later went freelance.
- 1990s – Joined The Guardian; wrote novel Dark Heart (1997).
- 2005 – Started investigating phone hacking at News of the World.
- 2008 – Published Flat Earth News, criticising media standards.
- 2011 – Phone hacking scandal breaks; Davies’s reporting is central.
- 2014 – Published Hack Attack: The Inside Story of How the Truth Caught Up with Rupert Murdoch.
- 2016 – Retired from journalism at age 63.
- 2024 – No public activity; believed to be living privately.
What We Know vs. What Is Unclear
| Established Information | Uncertain or Unconfirmed |
|---|---|
| Nick Davies is a British investigative journalist born on 28 March 1953. | His wife’s name and personal relationship details are not publicly confirmed. |
| He worked for The Guardian and exposed the phone hacking scandal. | His net worth is not officially disclosed; any figures are estimates. |
| He retired in 2016. | There are no reliable sources about an illness – rumors remain unverified. |
| He has written several books, including Hack Attack and Flat Earth News. | His current exact location is not publicly known beyond general ‘UK’. |
Background and Meaning
Nick Davies’s investigation into phone hacking is a landmark in modern journalism. It demonstrated the power of persistent investigative reporting and led to the closure of the News of the World, the Leveson Inquiry, and multiple criminal convictions. Davies has been praised by press freedom advocates, though he has also faced criticism from some media figures. Since his retirement, he has maintained a low profile, which contributes to the scarcity of personal information online.
Credible Sources and Quotes
“The phone hacking story was not about a few rogue reporters. It was a systemic failure of management and regulation.”
Nick Davies in an interview (2014)
“I spent 40 years as a journalist, mainly doing investigative work for The Guardian, before retiring in 2016.”
“Davies is a meticulous journalist who has left a lasting impact on British media.”
The Guardian (2016 profile)
Concluding Summary
Nick Davies remains one of the most important investigative journalists of his generation. His work on the phone-hacking scandal reshaped the British media landscape. Since retiring in 2016, he has chosen a private life, and no confirmed future projects exist. His legacy, however, continues to be discussed in the context of media ethics and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nick Davies still alive?
Yes, as of 2025, Nick Davies is alive. He retired in 2016 and lives a private life.
Does Nick Davies have children?
There is no reliable public information about whether Nick Davies has children.
What is Nick Davies’s educational background?
He studied English at the University of Oxford.
What awards has Nick Davies won?
He has won the British Press Awards Journalist of the Year, the George Orwell Prize, and several other journalism awards.
Is Nick Davies on Twitter?
He is not active on public social media platforms as of 2025.
What is Hack Attack about?
Hack Attack is the definitive account of the News of the World phone hacking scandal, detailing how Davies and other journalists uncovered the story.
Did Nick Davies work for The Guardian?
Yes, he was a freelance investigative journalist for The Guardian and The Observer for most of his career.
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Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at BritainNow.uk, running the daily news list and publishing schedule.