Even after the nation said goodbye to Gavin & Stacey last Christmas, Larry Lamb isn’t planning to take it easy anytime soon.
Best known for playing the lovable dad Mick in the hit BBC sitcom, the 77-year-old actor insists retiring would be “terrible” and that he plans to keep busy—whether that means acting, writing, or just “sending everybody potty.”
Staying Active and Embracing Life
Speaking with his son George during the launch of Ecover’s first plastic-free dishwasher tablets, Lamb admitted he doesn’t want to “vegetate.”
He explained: “I’m a working-class bloke who feels that if I’m not busy doing something, I don’t really have any value.
That’s unfortunately why a lot of people just give up.”
George agreed, noting that it would be terrible for his dad to stop working, while Larry added with a grin that he’d drive everyone—including himself—“completely round the bend” if he ever slowed down.
A Late Start with Big Determination
Unlike many stars, Larry began acting in his late 20s and had to fight for every opportunity.
He recalled an old piece of wisdom from a fellow actor: “If you don’t retire when you’re an actor, you just suddenly realise the phone doesn’t ring anymore.
You wait until nobody wants you, and then you get depressed.” Determined not to face that fate, Larry insists he’ll keep going and challenging people in the most entertaining ways possible.
Writing, Poetry, and New Stage Ventures
Larry isn’t just keeping busy on screen. After releasing his first fiction novel All Wrapped Up, he’s now exploring poetry and will perform his first poetry gig in Hereford on September 27.
“I’m reflecting on old age, the past, and the future,” he explained, adding that writing stories and poems is part of keeping life exciting.
Meanwhile, George has shifted focus from presenting to his regenerative farming business, Wildfarmed.
George Lamb on Following His Own Path
George opened up about growing up with a famous dad, admitting that acting didn’t initially appeal to him.
With Larry’s career dipping in the mid-90s, George’s mother encouraged him to pursue his own path—just not acting.
He went on to work in the music industry before breaking into TV with E4 Music and eventually hosting Big Brother’s Little Brother, discovering success alongside his father’s rising profile in Gavin & Stacey.
A Family That Works Together
The pair shared that working together professionally has been a unique and rewarding experience.
George reflected: “I’ve been able to enjoy having his star ascend while mine was also rising.
We’ve done loads of cool stuff together.” Larry added a playful anecdote about George’s resourcefulness as a child, proving the younger Lamb inherited his father’s ingenuity and determination.
Teaming Up for Sustainability
The father-and-son duo have also joined forces for Ecover’s latest campaign, marking the launch of their plastic-free dishwasher tablets.
Partnering with The Tetris Company, the campaign aims to tackle wasteful dishwashing habits with a retro-inspired game called Tetris: Fully Loaded.
Larry explained: “This isn’t just nostalgic for 90s arcade fans.
It’s about bringing families together, sparking friendly competition, and showing how small actions, like stacking the dishwasher properly, can save water and energy.”
He humorously noted that while he stacks like an architect, George approaches it more like a raccoon—illustrating that eco-friendly habits can be fun for everyone.
Playing, Learning, and Saving the Planet
The campaign encourages households to rethink their dishwashing routines while embracing a bit of nostalgia and family fun.
Players can visit Ecover.com to try Tetris: Fully Loaded and explore the new All In One Dishwasher Tablet range, proving that even everyday chores can be turned into something enjoyable and sustainable.