Dave Lamb, the distinctive voice behind Channel 4's long-running cooking competition Come Dine With Me, has a career that extends far beyond his witty narration. While millions recognise his sarcastic one-liners and razor-sharp observations, fewer are aware of his appearances in several popular TV shows, including soap operas and comedies.
From Voiceover to Acting Roles
Before becoming the narrator of Come Dine With Me in 2005, Lamb appeared in The Cheese Shop and the satirical series 2DTV. His acting credits include playing Sergeant Foster in two episodes of the Only Fools and Horses prequel Rock & Chips, including the New Year's Day special broadcast on BBC One in 2011. He also made a brief appearance in EastEnders as a bailiff.
Comedy and Historical Roles
Fans of Miranda Hart's sitcom Miranda may remember Lamb from a 2009 episode where Miranda pretends she is travelling to Thailand. He has also appeared in the children's historical comedy Horrible Histories, voicing various characters and even portraying a historical version of a Come Dine With Me presenter.
Behind the Scenes Insights
Last year, Lamb shared insights into his narration work on the Off Air with Jane and Fi podcast. Asked whether he ever felt he had crossed the line with his cutting commentary, he said: 'I really hope not. A lot of the time everything I say is scripted, because of the way it's filmed.' He explained that the show condenses five days of filming into five half-hour episodes, requiring a tightly crafted story with a proper narrative arc. 'I'm reading from a script, which I'm allowed to ad-lib around. If anything, I will try and tone it down rather than making it more cutting.'
Lamb added: 'I think what this show does really well is bring everyone with it. I don't think there's a nastiness to it, at least I hope there isn't. It's not about shooting fish in a barrel or trying to get one over on people. It's about trying to have fun.'
Come Dine With Me airs weekdays at 6:30pm on Channel 4.
