Balancing Two Iconic Roles
Actor Larry Lamb has expressed feeling "very lucky" to have worked simultaneously on the sets of the popular television series Gavin and Stacey and EastEnders. He described the experience as "very weird" due to the challenge of juggling two very different characters: Archie Mitchell, the on-screen husband of Barbara Windsor's character in Albert Square, and Mick Shipman, Gavin's father in the cult comedy.
Lamb detailed how he initially filmed some early episodes of Gavin and Stacey in 2006 before securing the soap opera role in 2007. Subsequently, he found himself working on both productions, traveling between London and Wales to fulfill his commitments.
Unusual Circumstances and Contractual Obligations
He noted that it was uncommon for an actor to be permitted to work on two such prominent programmes concurrently. This arrangement was partly influenced by the late Barbara Windsor's desire to have him as her "new love interest" on EastEnders. Lamb, who was 78 years old at the time of the interview, explained that he had already signed a contract to reprise his role in Gavin and Stacey if the show gained popularity, which it eventually did.
"And then I thought, well, in the old days I would have had to make a choice, which one would I do?"
He shared this insight during an appearance at the Hay Festival in Powys, reflecting on the dilemma he faced as the comedy series started to gain traction.
Challenges of Dual Roles
Despite the complications, Lamb was ultimately allowed to continue working on both series. He described the experience as playing two characters who were "so diametrically opposed in terms of their characters, in terms of what they were like - it was bizarre."
"Playing two people that were so diametrically opposed in terms of their characters, in terms of what they were like - it was bizarre,"
He recounted the particular challenges during the filming of the Christmas special, which was shot in September. The studio would be decorated with Christmas trees, tinsel, and piles of presents, creating a stark contrast with the summer weather.
"Particularly when we were doing the Christmas special which always happened in September. You're just over the summer and suddenly the whole studio is full of Christmas trees, tinsel, all piles of presents and everything else. And so you're dressed up in deep winter gear, and it's boiling hot everywhere, so everything's all wonky."
Lamb described the hectic nature of his schedule, moving between locations and scenes with very different atmospheres.
"And then, you know, I'm in London, doing a war scene around the Christmas dinner table with EastEnders, and then running down the corridors throwing my clothes off with somebody picking them up while they get you in the car and drive down to Wales. There's this whole different vibe to the day. So it was a really weird, contrasting thing to play both those characters, but [I was] very lucky to do it,"
he concluded, reflecting on the unique opportunity to portray such contrasting roles simultaneously.
