On Jan. 7, 2007, Alan married his longtime partner, graphic designer Grant Shaffer. The two dated for two years before getting hitched at the Old Royal Naval College in the town of Greenwich. Alan's spokesperson Bianca Bianconi released a statement from the actor (via People).
He shared, "Not only are we so happy to be able to celebrate our love for each other, but also to be able to do it in a country that properly recognizes the rights of same-sex couples. As residents of America, we would have loved to marry there, but we hope that soon the civil rights that we have been afforded in the U.K. will be available to all gay Americans, and we look forward to celebrating not only our marriage but the end of prejudice."
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On the couple's five-year anniversary of their civil union in London, the couple got married again in New York City's Soho Grand Hotel.
In an interview with Closer Weekly, Alan discussed the amazing career he's had and his husband, Grant. When asked about how the couple met and what made him the one, Alan revealed, "We met through friends in New York. He's lovely, kind, and hilarious, but he's also the first person who hasn't wanted to change me. We respect each other, and we were a bit older when we met, so you know yourself more and are more respectful."
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Before Alan married Grant, he was in a five-year marriage with actor Hilary Lyon from 1986 to 1994. The pair met while they both studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and wed not too long after graduation.
Prior to that, he was in a two-year relationship with actor Saffron Burrows, and a six-year relationship with theatre director Nick Philippou.
Grant is an illustrator and graphic designer who has worked for publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times. According to his website bio, he's also worked as a storyboard artist for movies and music videos, and he illustrates children's books. In fact, he illustrated his husband's children's book, The Adventures of Honey and Leon.
It seems like Alan and Grant truly have a wonderful relationship.
