Ex-EastEnder Larry Lamb warns show’s stars like Danny Dyer are being driven to drink by producers’ demands
MOST Walford residents are regularly seen boozing in the Queen Vic.
But ex-EastEnders star LARRY LAMB has warned that some of the show’s top actors — including troubled DANNY DYER — could be turning to booze for real because of the huge demands placed on them by producers.
Larry, who played villain Archie Mitchell from 2008 to 2009, even compared the stress to that faced by doctors and pilots.
In an exclusive interview at the Good Morning Britain Health Star awards, he said: “I chat to a few friends and I watch EastEnders now and then for old times’ sake and I have heard about Danny.
“There are a lot of businesses like EastEnders where people maybe get involved in drinking a bit more than they should.
“It happens with doctors and airline pilots — it happens with people working under a lot of stress.
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“People do it and that’s the thing. I know that I got to my sixties and hangovers were a big problem.”
Talking about the boozy culture that comes with being on TV, Larry added: “When you’re young you’re out and about filming TV shows and you know what it’s like — it becomes like this ongoing party.
“Every night everybody is out. I had years and years of that.”
After decades of heavy drinking and partying, Larry gave up alcohol nine years ago and says he feels “really great” for it.
He revealed: “I just drank too much when I was younger. It was just something you did.
“I got into my sixties and I went, ‘You know, I’ve had enough of this. I can’t deal with these nine-day hangovers’.
“It’s just unbearable and I knew I had to stop.”
Larry also opened up about his battle with mental illness — following in the footsteps of PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCE HARRY, who have both talked about their experiences.
He said: “When I was in my fifties I was lucky enough to go and be looked after by a psychiatrist.
“I spent months and months talking to someone who could make you really understand what was troubling you.
“I think the problem is not everybody feels they should get help and they are wary of it. But for me it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
It’s great that he can be so honest.
READ ON FOR MORE OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Island stars get X-rated surprise
CONTESTANTS on The Island with BEAR GRYLLS have previously found fishing nets, flip flops and even caiman crocs washed up on the sandy shores.
The new series turned X-rated on Monday night as campmate Richie Carr spotted the large black object in the surf.
He took it straight back to camp, telling female adventurer Kaggy Burn: “I’ve got a present for you!
“It’s amazing what you find on the beach.”
As Richie held it up, Kaggy shrieked: “Oh my god! I don’t know where that’s been – get it away from me!”
Viewers were captivated by the object, and one camera angle showed a crab walking past it.
On social media Laura Yaffe commented: “So I’m watching the island and a sex toy pops up on the beach! The crab has a new home.”
Viewer Lorraine Gavigan asked: “What sort of test is this from Bear Grylls?”
While viewers questioned how the adult toy had come to find itself on the remote Pacific island, a Channel 4 spokesman was adamant that it had purely “washed ashore”.
That’s one way to sex up a show.
BIZ BIT
PETER KAY has told how he phoned ELBOW star GUY GARVEY to get him on his Car Share show after thinking of him while writing it. He told Radio 2: “I kept picturing him as this guy with a bike. I rang him and he said he enjoyed the show.”
ANYONE who has ever watched an episode of Britain’s Got Talent knows that AMANDA HOLDEN is a massive fan of musicals.
And in this skirt, the actress looks like she is auditioning to star in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Amanda chose the look to head out to dinner in London’s West End, where she is currently performing in comedy Stepping Out.
Meanwhile, the BGT judge told The Sun on Sunday she’d love to renew her wedding vows to record producer hubby Chris Hughes.
She will have loads of amazing acts to pick from for the reception.
SOAP BOX
NATHAN finally puts his plan into action in CORONATION STREET.
With Bethany nearby, he fakes a call to his bank and claims that he has financial problems.
Later, Mel also lies to her and says the bank is threatening to close down the salon.
Nathan tries to get Bethany to meet Neil for a drink as part of his scheme to get her to sleep with him.
Over on EMMERDALE, Adam makes another move on Vanessa.
Unhappy with his marriage, the pair play video games and drink together before he leans in for a kiss.
This won’t end well.
News Tom back with a gong
NEWS at Ten has made a huge claim to keep its regular 10pm spot, should The Nightly Show return.
That was over a million more than the final episode of The Nightly Show, hosted by DERMOT O’LEARY, notched up last Friday.
The news was pushed back to 10.30pm for the duration of the chat show’s run.
But a source said yesterday: “It has done brilliantly to bounce back after weeks of being 30 minutes behind its BBC rival.
“The Nightly Show was a brave experiment but clearly there is more of an appetite for news in that time slot.
“It certainly gives ITV bosses something to think about when discussions get under way as to whether The Nightly Show comes back.”
DAVID WALLIAMS, JASON MANFORD, JOHN BISHOP, GORDON RAMSAY, DAVINA McCALL, DERMOT O’LEARY and BRADLEY WALSH all took turns presenting the show.
After a shaky start, the show got increasingly better – especially with two-time host Dermot at the helm.
If it does come back, I’m sure he’ll get another call up.
BIZ BIT
HOLLYOAKS stars AMANDA CLAPHAM, SOPHIE PORLEY and ELLIS HOLLINS are off to Ibiza next month to film party scenes for the C4 soap. A source said: “Sun and booze are perfect for explosive drama and romances.”
Must watch
WHAT? 13 Reasons Why, Season 1, Netflix.
WHY? Powerful new series which follows the story of a teenage girl – played by KATHERINE LANGFORD – who takes her own life and leaves 13 recordings explaining her motives.