Larry Lamb, best known for his roles as Archie Mitchell in EastEnders and Mick in Gavin & Stacey, has vowed never to fully retire, fearing he would 'vegetate'. The actor, who turns 78 on October 1, said he will continue working in other capacities, such as writing and poetry, to stay active.
Speaking to The Daily Mail alongside his son George, Lamb explained: 'I don't want to just sit there and vegetate. You know, I'm a working class bloke who feels that if he's not busy doing something then I don't really have any value.' His son added that retirement would be 'terrible', and Lamb agreed, saying he would 'drive everybody as well as myself completely round the bend'.
Lamb, who began his professional acting career in his 40s, recently accepted the National Television Award for Best Comedy with the Gavin & Stacey cast. In July, he indicated that the show's finale would be his last acting job, as he wanted to 'go out on a high' and spend more time with his four children: George, Vanessa, Eloise, and Eva.
However, Lamb has since turned author, releasing his first fiction novel, All Wrapped Up, about a film shoot on a Caribbean island. He has also started writing poetry and will perform his first poetry gig in Hereford next week. Reflecting on his career, Lamb said playing Mick in Gavin & Stacey is his all-time favourite role, adding: 'To finish up in my 70s playing a character like Mick who is beloved by millions of people, you have to give the writers credit... at this stage in my career Mick is the closest to my heart.'
