Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb lifts the lid on his special bond with son, George - and their surprise new venture
With darker nights falling and tree lights brightening up our streets, the festive season is officially upon us. And one person who can’t wait to step into Christmas is legendary actor Larry Lamb, who is reprising the role of Mick Shipman for the highly-anticipated festive special of Gavin and Stacey.
The iconic sitcom, written by James Corden and Ruth Jones, is returning for the first time in five years - with one final instalment. And, as we sit down for an exclusive chat with Larry, 77, his face lights up when we mention the reprisal. “Oh, what an extraordinary experience [filming] that was, I tell you, it was extraordinary. For all the millions of people that have been watching [the show] religiously since it started, you’ve got a trip coming up, I’ll tell you that!
And, after several long days’ filming the special episode earlier this year, Larry admits what he is most looking forward to, is sitting down on Christmas Day, putting his feet up and watching the special episode with his nearest and dearest, he confesses.
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But other than gathering around the telly, does Larry have any other special plans for this festive season? “I’ll just be doing the usual routine, trying not to eat too much!” jests the father-of-four. “On Christmas Day, I’ll go and have a swim and a bike ride, I like to keep active as I get older. Then I’ll just be spending it with family.”
One person the North London star will undoubtably be celebrating with is his son George, 44, who previously followed in his dad’s footsteps with an impressive TV presenting career - and now works in regenerative farming.
Detailing their close bond, Larry, who is also a father to daughters Vanessa, 55, Eloise, 25, and Eva, 21, explained that he has been working closely with George in his farming ventures over the past year.
“George has been doing his work with regenerative farming, which is really wonderful. I’m really interested in it too, so I’ve been coming along with him to things. We did quite a bit of television together about 10 years ago, but our lives have just gone in different ways now. So, to be able to hang out with him is great,” says Larry. Smiling fondly, he adds. “He takes his old man along, and it’s really fun!”
It was through his son that former EastEnders actor Larry began working with Yeo Valley, and recently attended their pop-up organic milk pub - The Moo Inn - using his experience pulling pints in the Queen Vic to aid him in serving up pints of milk in the micro brewery.
“I’m really interested in agriculture and I’ve obviously been doing a lot of it with my boy, so I was really keen to get involved”, explains Larry. “Yeo Valley wanted to celebrate their organic milk and invited me down to their ‘Moo Inn’ so I went there and ended up pulling pints of milk! It was great - I spoke to all the locals about the care and craftsmanship that goes into making the milk - Yeo Valley is a big local employer, which I really liked.
He adds, “They actually did a study which found that 83% of people are returning to dairy milk after trying out the alternatives. It’s good to try different things and see what you like, but I think it’s a really positive thing that we’re going back to organic milk because it is such a basic thing - but you get a real buzz.”
Yeo Valley Organic’s newest venture is the leasehold and management of the New Inn, Blagdon - temporarily known as The Moo Inn. The New Inn is open seven days a week all-year-round.
