Larry Lamb might be known today as the lovable Mick from Gavin & Stacey, but his path to fatherhood and fame was shaped by some deeply painful childhood memories.
The 77-year-old actor recently opened up in an emotional interview, revealing how he was bullied and verbally abused by his own father growing up.
Reflecting on that time, Larry admitted he spent his early years “living in fear” and didn’t have a good example of what a father should be.
That early trauma stayed with him and left him worried that he might struggle to be a good parent himself.
Fears of Repeating the Past
Speaking candidly with OK! Magazine, Larry didn’t shy away from expressing how deeply that fear ran.
“If you’re not fathered well, you’re not going to be a good father yourself,” he said honestly. “Of course that was a worry.”
But despite his doubts, Larry says he managed to break that harmful cycle when it came time to raise his own son, George.
He credits a lot of that success to his former wife, Linda Martin, who helped steer their parenting in a healthier direction.
Giving Credit Where It’s Due
“Linda realised that something needed to change,” Larry explained.
“She made sure George and I had the space to grow together. She really broke the cycle—and that took strength.”
Larry didn’t hold back his gratitude: “Big points to Linda.”
Their son George, now 45, also joined in the interview and reflected on his upbringing.
While Linda took on the role of disciplinarian, George described his bond with Larry as more relaxed and friendly.
“Mum had the tough job, but the upside was that Dad and I became good mates.
That was quite beautiful,” George shared.
A Safe and Loving Father-Son Bond
Larry described his relationship with George as “grounding and very safe,” and George said he always felt “unconditionally loved” by his dad.
However, George has noticed a shift over time.
As Larry got older, he softened—especially in comparison to how he parents his two younger daughters, Eloise (26) and Eva (23).
Larry had George during his marriage to Linda, but they divorced in 1996 after seven years together.
He later married actress Clare Burt, with whom he shares his daughters.
That marriage ended in 2016, after nearly two decades as a couple.
Closing a Chapter on Screen
While many still associate Larry with his iconic TV roles, he’s ready to slow things down.
He recently revealed that the upcoming Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, called The Finale, will likely mark the end of his television acting career.
Speaking to MailOnline, Larry said he’s proud to wrap up with a character as beloved as Mick Shipman.
“You become so close to these characters—it’s like they’re part of your life. At this stage, Mick is the one that’s closest to my heart.”
From Stage to Screen and Back Again
Though Larry became a household name later in life, his career spans six impressive decades.
He only shot to widespread fame in his 50s thanks to Gavin & Stacey and EastEnders, but he’s had a long, accomplished career on stage as well.
“I’ve worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, done Broadway, twelve West End shows—you name it,” Larry said with pride.
“A lot of people don’t realise just how much theatre I’ve done.”
He explained that for years, his schedule was evenly split between stage and television.
And while he’s happy to let others take on the “big roles” now, he isn’t ruling out the occasional stage part to “keep his face in.”
Finding Peace in Being Recognized
To Larry, the recognition that came later in his career feels like a fitting reward for all the years of hard work.
“It’s better to be known than unknown—especially if you’re known as a character people really love,” he said.
“What a way to finish your working life.”
What’s Next for Larry?
Now, Larry is turning his creative energy toward a new passion—writing.
He’s penned a novel about life in the entertainment industry and is excited to focus on this new chapter.
He might be stepping away from TV, but Larry Lamb isn’t disappearing entirely.
His legacy, both on-screen and at home, continues to grow—and if his journey has shown us anything, it’s that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.