Larry Lamb’s "greatest achievement" is working on ‘Gavin and Stacey’ and ‘EastEnders’ at the same time.
The 70-year-old actor has admitted his ultimate career success is being able to juggle playing Archie Mitchell in the BBC One soap, and Mick Shipman in the romantic comedy series simultaneously, but he found playing two "contrasting characters" made work "more pleasurable" for him.
Speaking to The Sun’s TV magazine, he said: "In terms of TV, the fact that I managed to pull off ‘Gavin & Stacey’ and ‘EastEnders’ simultaneously has probably been my greatest achievement. Playing those two contrasting characters made each one more pleasurable. I couldn’t sit around worrying that Mick [in ‘Gavin & Stacey’] was too nice because the next minute I was back playing Walford’s Mr Nasty [Archie Mitchell]."
Larry was killed off by Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) in the longstanding programme in 2010, and though he left the show seven years ago he still keeps in contact with his on-screen daughters Samantha Womack, who played Ronnie Mitchell, and Rita Simons, who portrayed Roxy, as well as his on-screen wife Peggy Mitchell (Dame Barbara Windsor ).
He said: " I keep in touch with my two EastEnders daughters [Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, who played Ronnie and Roxy] and Barbara Windsor."
Meanwhile, the ‘I’m A Celebrity … Get me out of Here!’ contestant – who took part in the ITV show last year – has admitted he boasts a strong relationship with his son George Lamb, and he feels "much closer" to the 37-year-old presenter than ever before.
Larry – who also has daughters Eloise, Vanessa, and Eva-Mathilde from previous relationships – said: "George and I have got much closer as adults. My life was always about pursuing acting, so although we were close when he was young, the circumstances were that we didn’t go on holidays. Now we see each other all the time. George is a strong character. You get on or you don’t get on with George. And we get on."
Larry Lamb reveals his biggest achievements
