EastEnders star surprises residents at care home

Residents of a care home were delighted to receive a surprise visit from a TV star.

Larry Lamb visited Langham Manor care home in Stowmarket, Suffolk, while publicising his new book.

The actor is best known for playing Archie Mitchell in EastEnders and Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey.

"Everyone was happy and a bit overwhelmed. He went round and sat down to say hello to everyone individually," activities coordinator Natasha Streatfield said.

"He did not leave anyone out and was really friendly."

On Saturday, Lamb, 77, attended an event at Dial Lane Books in Ipswich to promote his novel All Wrapped Up, before visiting his publisher in Stowmarket.

While there, he went over to the care home, which is opposite.

Ms Streatfield said: "I told them it was a celebrity coming and that it was Larry Lamb.

"A few of the residents were downstairs and were happy and a bit overwhelmed.

"In the end he must have signed about 10 to 13 books, he had to keep running across the road to get more books."

The care home is a residential and nursing complex that currently houses about 61 people.

Ms Streatfield said that one of the residents "is still talking about it and how she has a signed book" by Lamb.

She added that another, who is in her 80s, said she was "a bit overwhelmed" and cried when the actor left.

"It was a lovely surprise for residents and staff. It was a lovely gesture," Ms Streatfield added.

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