Gavin & Stacey star announces retirement after finale 'what a way to finish your working life'
Larry Lamb has announced he is retiring from acting after starring in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas finale
Larry Lamb, 77, has revealed his intention to retire from acting for good, following his final appearance as Mick Shipman in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special that captured millions of viewers on Christmas Day.
The veteran actor expressed his joy at concluding his distinguished career with a role in the beloved BBC series. He shared his contentment with ending on a high note, stating he's ready to pass on the 'bigger roles' to others.
During his noteworthy career spanning six decades, Larry became familiar to audiences as both the endearing Mick in the Ruth Jones and James Corden crafted sitcom and the notorious Archie Mitchell in EastEnders.
Despite his variety of parts over the years, Larry holds his portrayal of Mick in Gavin and Stacey closest to his heart. Talking about his career, he told the Daily Mail: "You get so involved with these characters that they become your favourite at that time, they are the focus of your life, but 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."
Larry Lamb has announced his plans to step back from acting
(Image: Daily Mirror )
He also reflected on his vibrant acting journey: "I have had a very fortunate career; I've done so much that I am really proud of that maybe not so many people know. I have worked at the Royal Shakespeare company, the National Theatre, I have been in 12 West End shows, I have done all the principal fringe theatres in London, on Broadway, I have been very lucky and now I am quite happy to let someone else play the big roles," reports the Mirror.
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Larry expressed that many people are unaware of the diversity in his acting career. "If you have been through a life in entertainment and people don't all know you to suddenly where pretty much everybody knows you as a character... I find it's a reward, it's better to be known than unknown as far as I'm concerned. Particularly if you are known as a character that people really love... what a way to finish your working life."
Larry had a reunion with the Gavin & Stacey cast at the Bafta Awards in May this year, where they were tipped to win the Memorable TV Moment award.
However, they were narrowly beaten by Chris McCausland on Strictly Come Dancing, who performed a 'blackout dance' with the lights dimmed.
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale
(Image: BBC )
Gavin & Stacey picked up a nomination for the moment Smithy asks Larry's character Mick for his opinion before deciding not to marry girlfriend Sonia.
Larry revealed that Ruth Jones had asked him to speak on behalf of the actors and crew if they had won the award.
After fans finally got to watch the highly anticipated finale, Larry admitted he was 'relieved' it was over.
He said: "In a funny, sad sort of way I'm relieved that it's finished because in the end people were desperate to see the end of it, and then to know that the whole thing's all been wrapped up, the story's told, and it's had its life.
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale moment where Mick stands up in the church and Smithy realises he cannot marry Sonia
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"You know, that's what I like about it – we can all sit back and say this is a completed story."
The show's Christmas 2024 finale episode saw Neil 'Smithy' Smith, played by co-writer James Corden, finally decide to marry Vanessa 'Nessa' Jenkins, played by fellow co-writer Ruth Jones, after leaving Sonia (Laura Aikman) at the altar.
Prior to the final episode, the show spanned for three series following the lives of Essex-born Gavin and his Welsh wife Stacey and their friends and family, after they first met on work phone calls.
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