Larry Lamb Q&A: 'Playing Mick Shipman has made me a better man'
Illustration by Kristian Hammerstad
Larry Lamb was born in Edmonton in 1947. He is an actor and radio presenter, known for his role of Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey. He appeared on I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2016.
What's your earliest memory?
One steady thing, among all the chaos of my childhood: all the wider family would gather together at the Rose and Crown pub and we kids would sit around eating crisps and drinking what we called kids' cocktails.
Who are your heroes?
In childhood probably Desperate Dan from the Dandy because he could eat a whole cow pie while holding the horns. As an adult, Barack Obama. He comes across as an admirable, honest person who did his best to do as much good as he could.
What book last changed your thinking?
I was listening to a podcast about espionage, and the CIA man being interviewed happened to mention a book by a colleague of his, David McCloskey. He said that if you ever want to know what that world is like, read David's book Damascus Station – and so I did. And it quashed any interest in becoming a spy I ever had!
What would be your Mastermind specialist subject?
Perhaps geography and world capitals. I've travelled the lot in my decades-long career, and I love looking at maps, so I think this would be my best chance.
Who would paint your portrait?
My two daughters, Eva and Eloise, to draw their version of me. That would be interesting, to see how your children perceive you.
In which time and place, other than your own, would you like to live?
I don't think there's any better time than where we are now! You can look back on other periods with interest – and I do – but our living conditions are so much better now. I wouldn't want to be living at any time other than the present.
Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe
What TV show could you not live without?
Gavin & Stacey – it's been a pivotal moment in my life and a real pleasure to play Mick Shipman, who is so loved by so many. Playing him has made me a better man too.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
My son's mother telling me that under no circumstances must I ever bully or dominate our son, unless I wanted to have a relationship with him like the one I had with my father. That was without a doubt the most important piece of advice I was ever given, and I followed it to the letter.
What's currently bugging you?
I'm 77, and I hope to live to 100. But I know it's going to bug me that, when it's my time to go, I still won't know everything.
What single thing would make your life better?
Winning the lottery – I'm just a regular sort of a guy!
When were you happiest?
Right now. The older I get, the more I love life. I understand it more than I ever did, I appreciate it more than I ever did, and I appreciate those around me more than I ever did.
In another life, what job might you have chosen?
Being a lumberjack. It's my favourite job, cutting a log in pieces, and when they've matured and dried out, taking a big axe and splitting them.
Are we all doomed?
It's too easy to say yes, but I don't believe that. Sometimes, reading the news, it might appear that we are all doomed – but there are always forces for good and who come out of the chaos. The world is a big place. Something's got to go pretty black for all eight billion people to be doomed.
Larry Lamb will be at the Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words on 17 May; click here to find out more. His novel 'All Wrapped Up' is published by Softwood Books
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Mid Wales railway to feature in BBC show with Ruth Jones
Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones visited a Mid Wales railway as part of an upcoming BBC documentary. Writer and actor Ruth Jones, best known for starring in and co-creating Gavin & Stacey, and comedian Steve Spiers took a trip on Brecon Mountain Railway, which will feature in a BBC One Wales documentary Ruth and Steve: From Merthyr with Love. The one-hour documentary will showcase the Welsh town's past and present, as well as a standout visit to the nearby railway through Mid Wales. As part of the documentary, Jones and Speirs spent a day immersed in the operations of the railway. They met volunteers and staff, examined restored steam locomotives, and gained an insight into the effort taken to run and operate the Brecon Mountain Railway. The segment underlines the line's role not just as a tourist attraction, but as a tribute and reminder of the region's industrial roots and community spirit. The programme forms part of a broader season on BBC Cymru Wales marking the bicentenary of Cyfarthfa Castle, exploring Merthyr's significance as the world's first industrial town and celebrating its ongoing cultural rejuvenation. Broadcast across four new shows on BBC One Wales, the series aims to challenge outdated perceptions and highlight the county borough's evolving identity. The railway was originally built in 1859 and constructed on part of the abandoned Brecon & Merthyr Railway, the 10-mile round journey takes travellers in all-weather observation coaches to let them admire the mountain views as the railway climbs to Torpantau before returning via Pontsticill Station. The Brecon Mountain Railway offers a stunning journey through the breath-taking Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park aboard meticulously restored steam locomotives.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Peter Andre, 52, reveals downside to age gap relationship with wife Emily, 35
Peter Andre has defended the 16-year age gap in his relationship with wife Emily MacDonagh – but one incident that showed their generational gap still makes them laugh. The musician and TV star, 52, married doctor Emily, 35, in 2015, soon after welcoming children Amelia, 11, Theo, nine, and one-year-old Arabella. Peter also has two children, Junior, 19, and Princess, 17, with former wife Katie Price. Peter and Emily have experienced some backlash against their 16-year age gap, which the I'm A Celebrity contestant defended in a new interview. In his column for New! magazine, Peter discussed Stephen Fry, 67, speaking about the age gap in his marriage with Elliott Spencer, 38, and how Peter and Emily's age difference 'works' for them. 'It all depends on the relationship, how the partners are with each other, and how they view things, I think. There's a 16-year gap between me and Emily, and it really works for us,' he wrote. However, he did muse over one incident where their generational gap was very noticeable. 'There's one thing we do laugh about, though… We were at the Pride of Britain awards one year and Jon Bon Jovi came over to chat. I've met him many times over the years and he's a lovely person,' he continued. After the introduction, Peter was shocked to discover Emily had no idea who the legendary rock star was, asking her husband 'What's a Bon Jovi?' 'We laughed about that a lot afterwards! It's in those moments we may realise the age gap – usually with music and films – but in general, we love the same things. I think it's what works for you in a relationship. Who are we to judge?' he said. Peter, who is currently on screens in controversial thriller comedy Jafaican, met Emily in 2012, with them tying the knot three years later. He previously discussed not opting for a pre-nuptial agreement before tying the knot, saying: 'I think it does depend on upbringing. So some cultures think that you should always keep your own money, some think you should all be together. 'But as you grow older, you start to figure it out yourself. I know with Emily at the start I had different views to what I've got now. I mean, we don't have a prenup. We've got children together.' More Trending Last year, Peter said he and Emily were 'pretty sure' Arabella would be their last child, with the singer speaking out numerous times about the prospect of having a vasectomy. 'I appeared on Loose Women last week to promote the Frankie Valli tour and one of the topics we discussed is whether a man should get a vasectomy,' he wrote back in February. 'Having children is a big decision. We frequently expect the woman to have to find a way and take measures not to become pregnant, but actually I realise that us men have a responsibility too. 'The problem is, like many, I'm a bit scared of having that kind of procedure. I know, call me a wimp. Who knows? Never say never, I guess.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Princess Andre, 17, fires back at critics after buying £25,000 car for herself MORE: Alison Hammond 'absolutely loves' Peter Andre's controversial new movie MORE: Katie Price makes shock confession about Peter Andre split 16 years on
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Sue Cleaver reflects on '25 years of laughs' after Coronation Street exit
Sue Cleaver reflects on '25 years of laughs' after Coronation Street exit Eileen Grimshaw had a special send-off during Friday's episode of the soap, where she was seen leaving for Thailand alongside her son Jason Grimshaw, played by Ryan Thomas (Image: Coronation Street /Instagram ) Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver has reflected on "25 years of laughs and tears" following her character's exit from the show. Eileen Grimshaw had a special send-off during Friday's episode of the soap, where she was seen leaving for Thailand alongside her son Jason Grimshaw, played by Ryan Thomas. Simon Gregson's character Steve McDonald, Tony Maudsley's George Shuttleworth, and Eileen's son Todd, played by Gareth Pierce, all said goodbye to the matriarch before drivers from the local taxi firm honked their horns as she was driven off. In an Instagram post, Cleaver said: "Well... that's a wrap. 25 years of laughs, tears, costumes, chaos - and one unforgettable journey. "I'll miss this character like crazy, but what a ride it's been. Thank you for every moment." Cleaver has played the outspoken and uncomplicated Eileen in the ITV show since 2000. Article continues below Eileen came to Weatherfield to work at the local taxi firm, Streetcars, to provide for her two tearaway teenage children, Jason and Todd. She soon became friends with her boss Steve and came into conflict with Helen Worth's character Gail Rodwell (also known as Gail Platt). Cleaver took part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2022, where she opened up about reconciling with her birth mother, and was eliminated third. Article continues below She also said her family is "bizarrely interconnected" to other Coronation Street stars, including Worth who is godmother to one of her half-sisters, while her other half-sister's husband, John Bowe, appeared on the cobbles as Duggie Ferguson. In 2024, she released a book A Work In Progress in which she discusses how she feels she is not past her prime. In recent years she has appeared as a panellist on ITV chat show Loose Women.
