Larry Lamb's Wild Ride: Juggling EastEnders and Gavin & Stacey Roles!

Larry Lamb, a well-known British actor, recently spoke about his experiences working on two of the UK's most beloved television shows at the same time. He described himself as 'very lucky' to have been able to play roles in both Gavin and Stacey and EastEnders. In EastEnders, Larry played Archie Mitchell, who was married to Barbara Windsor's character, while in Gavin and Stacey, he played Mick Shipman, Gavin's dad. Larry explained that juggling these two very different characters was 'very weird' and sometimes confusing. He had to travel back and forth between London, where EastEnders was filmed, and Wales, where Gavin and Stacey was shot. This meant he was constantly switching between two completely different worlds.

Larry shared that he started filming Gavin and Stacey in 2006, before he got the role in EastEnders in 2007. When Gavin and Stacey became more popular, he had already signed a contract to return if the show took off. This put him in a tricky situation because he was also committed to EastEnders. He said that in the past, he would have had to choose one show over the other, but thanks to Barbara Windsor, who wanted him as her new love interest on EastEnders, he was allowed to do both. Larry admitted that working on both shows at the same time caused 'all sorts of problems,' but he was grateful for the opportunity. He described how strange it was to play two characters who were so different from each other. Archie Mitchell was a tough, dramatic character, while Mick Shipman was more relaxed and funny.

One of the oddest experiences for Larry was filming Christmas specials in the middle of September. He said it was strange to walk into a studio filled with Christmas trees, tinsel, and presents when it was actually hot and sunny outside. He would have to wear heavy winter clothes for the scenes, even though it was boiling hot. Sometimes, he would finish filming a dramatic Christmas dinner scene for EastEnders in London, then rush to Wales to film a lighter, more comedic scene for Gavin and Stacey. He described how he would run down the corridors, changing clothes quickly, and jump into a car to make it to the next set. Larry said that every day felt different and exciting because he was constantly switching between two very different roles.

Larry shared these stories with an audience at the Hay Festival in Wales, where he also read some of his own poetry. He said that even though it was challenging to balance both shows, he felt incredibly lucky to be part of two series that meant so much to so many people. He thanked the cast, crew, and fans for their support. Larry's story shows that sometimes, taking on a big challenge can lead to amazing experiences. He hopes that his journey will inspire others to follow their dreams, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. Larry continues to act and share his stories, reminding everyone that hard work and a positive attitude can help you achieve great things.