For nearly two decades, Channel 4's Come Dine With Me has delighted television audiences with its unique blend of culinary competition and social awkwardness. The show, which first premiered in 2005, follows contestants as they host dinner parties for each other, vying to impress their guests and win a cash prize through their three-course meal offerings.
The Voice Behind The Laughter
While the amateur chefs provide the entertainment through their cooking disasters and social faux pas, there's one consistent element that has become integral to the programme's enduring success: the witty, often scathing narration that accompanies each episode. The voice that delivers this comedy gold belongs to actor and presenter Dave Lamb, whose distinctive commentary has become synonymous with the show itself.
Lamb's narration has been described by fans as both hilarious and cutting, frequently leaving viewers in tears of laughter with his perfectly timed observations about the contestants' culinary efforts and social interactions. His delivery has become such a trademark of the programme that it's difficult to imagine Come Dine With Me without his distinctive vocal presence.
A Versatile Career Beyond Dinner Parties
Dave Lamb's career extends far beyond his work on the Channel 4 cooking show. The talented voice artist has lent his distinctive tones to numerous other television projects, including the rebooted version of classic children's animation Dangermouse. He has also provided narration for the international spin-offs of Come Dine With Me set in South Africa and Ireland, helping to maintain the show's signature style across different territories.
Fans of children's educational comedy will recognise Lamb from his appearances on Horrible Histories, where he participated in various sketches bringing historical events to life with humour. His involvement with the franchise extended to the big screen with a role in Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans, demonstrating his versatility across different entertainment formats.
The Soap Opera Secret
What many Come Dine With Me enthusiasts may not realise is that Dave Lamb has a surprising connection to one of Britain's most beloved soap operas. Before becoming the voice of dinner party disasters, Lamb made an appearance on BBC's EastEnders, playing a bouncer in two episodes that aired on June 1 and June 3, 2004.
This revelation about Lamb's brief stint in Albert Square is likely to surprise dedicated fans who have come to associate his voice exclusively with Come Dine With Me. The contrast between his role as a Walford bouncer and his current position as the acerbic narrator of a cooking competition highlights the diverse nature of his acting career.
Behind The Scenes Insights
In a revealing interview last year on the podcast Off Air with Jane and Fi, Dave Lamb offered some fascinating insights into his work on Come Dine With Me. When questioned about whether he ever crosses the line with his cutting commentary, Lamb explained that much of what viewers hear is actually scripted due to the complex editing process involved in creating each episode.
"Obviously, they're condensing five full days and nights of filming into five half-hour episodes," Lamb revealed. "So they have to craft a very tight story, with a proper narrative arc. So they have to be very precise about what gets said."
The narrator went on to explain that while he reads from a prepared script, he is permitted to ad-lib around the material. Interestingly, Lamb suggested that he often tries to tone down his commentary rather than making it more cutting, emphasising that the show's success lies in its inclusive nature rather than outright cruelty toward participants.
"I think what this show does really well is bring everyone with it," Lamb reflected. "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."
Enduring Television Legacy
Come Dine With Me continues to air daily on Channel 4, maintaining its position as one of the channel's most successful and enduring formats. The combination of amateur cooking, social dynamics, and Dave Lamb's iconic narration has proven to be a winning formula that has entertained British audiences for nearly twenty years.
The revelation about Lamb's previous role in EastEnders adds another layer to the story of this beloved television personality, whose voice has become as much a part of the British television landscape as the show he narrates. From Walford to dinner parties across Britain, Dave Lamb's career journey reflects the diverse opportunities available within the UK's entertainment industry.
