Hubbry Logo
Dave LambDave LambMain
Open search
Dave Lamb
Community hub
Dave Lamb
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Dave Lamb
Dave Lamb
Dave Lamb
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

David Alexander Lamb (born 17 January 1969)[1] is an English actor, comedian, narrator and presenter. He is best known for his narration work on Come Dine with Me as well as appearances in British television and radio programmes, especially comedy programmes like Goodness Gracious Me. He also presented the CBBC game show Horrible Histories: Gory Games.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Lamb attended the Broxbourne School in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and studied philosophy and literature at the University of Warwick.[2]

Early work

[edit]

Lamb's first noted credit was in the 1998 British sitcom How Do You Want Me? He played a homophobic tramp called Buster. His first notable appearances were in the British Indian sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, being the only recurring white person in the cast. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s he also appeared in comedy programmes such as People Like Us, Hippies, Armstrong and Miller, The Smoking Room and Fun at the Funeral Parlour as well as having a brief role in a couple of episodes of EastEnders. He also made a brief appearance in DIY SOS.

Voice-over work

[edit]

Dave Lamb was one of the main voice-over artists on satirical cartoon 2DTV alongside Jan Ravens and Jon Culshaw,[3] but he gained cult status through his sarcastic voice-overs on dinner party show Come Dine with Me which began in 2005. In an interview, he claimed that in the first series he did do quite a lot of ad-libbing but that the show's writers now know how to write for his voice. He also stated that he would never take part in a celebrity edition as he wasn't famous enough to participate.[4]

In 2008, Lamb provided a voice for one of the Spade brothers in Lionhead Studios' Fable II[5] and again in 2010 for Fable III.[6]

Lamb narrated Come Dine with Me-style sketches for five episodes of Horrible Histories, between 2010 and 2013.

In 2011 for the Big Brother 2011 Come Dine with Me task, Lamb took over from usual narrator Marcus Bentley for the feature, the first time that anyone other than Bentley had provided a voice-over for the show.[7]

He starred in a voice-over part for a character in the 2011 MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic.

He also narrates Come Dine with Me Ireland and Come Dine with Me South Africa[8] and provides the voice-over on the CBeebies animated shows Big Barn Farm and Waybuloo.[9] He narrated a special section of Blue Peter on 25 October 2011. The section was a spoof of Come Dine with Me at a zoo where the guests were animals.[citation needed]

In May 2012, he did a voice over for UK band Jackdaw4 on their PledgeMusic page, to promote their pledge campaign to record their fourth album.

In November 2013, Lamb provided a voice over for Bedford Modern School's production of "The Only Way", a play commemorating 10 years of co-education.

He narrates the 2015 reboot of Danger Mouse. He also voices Stiletto Mafiosa in the series. He also narrates the live stage show of Danger Mouse at Butlins in 2017–2018.

In 2018 Lamb was the commentator on BBC One's Saturday evening game show And They're Off ... for Sport Relief, presented by Ore Oduba.

Subsequent TV appearances

[edit]

Lamb has had two main-cast roles in television sitcoms, firstly as producer Des in BBC's The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle (broadcast October 2007) and then in early 2008 he played put-upon television writer Carl Morris in ITV's Moving Wallpaper. He also played Sergeant Foster in two episodes of Only Fools and Horses prequel Rock & Chips, shown on BBC One in the 2010 Christmas season[10] and April 2011.[11]

He co-presented the CBBC children's game show Horrible Histories: Gory Games from 2011 until its end in 2018, and was a regular on the first series of Alexander Armstrong's Big Ask. In 2009, he appeared in Miranda, in the episode in which Miranda pretends to go to Thailand.[12][13] In 2014, he appeared alongside the rest of the original cast of Goodness Gracious Me in a reunion special that was produced for BBC Two's 50th Anniversary.[14]

In 2016, Lamb presented Come Dine with Me: Champion of Champions, the first time in the 11-year history of the show that he had appeared on screen rather than just narrating.[15]

Radio

[edit]

Lamb was a member of radio comedy troupe The Cheese Shop and has also featured on radio recording three series of The Bigger Issues as well as featuring on 15 Minute Musical, The Alan Davies Show, ElvenQuest, No Future in Eternity, The Big Town All Stars, The Very World of Milton Jones, Artists and The Way It Is. He has also recorded two series of a radio drama entitled London, Europe for Radio 4, which he also wrote.[16][failed verification] Radio 4 aired his sitcom, Hobby Bobbies during Summer 2013.

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Horrible Histories - The Movie - Rotten Romans[17] Dougal[18]

Stage work

[edit]

Lamb made his stage debut alongside Russ Abbot and Eric Sykes in 2003 in a production of Ray Cooney's Caught in the Net at the Vaudeville Theatre.[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Lamb lives in Lewes[19] and is a regular at the Dripping Pan, home of Lewes FC.[19] He is a shareholder in the club.[20]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dave Lamb

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dave Lamb (born 17 January 1969) is an English actor, comedian, narrator, and presenter best known for providing the distinctive sarcastic voiceover narration for the reality cooking competition since its pilot in 2004 and premiere in 2005. Born in and raised in , Lamb studied literature and philosophy at the before launching his career in comedy through stand-up, sketch shows, and radio performances with the group The Cheese Shop. He made his television debut in 1998 as part of the ensemble series Goodness Gracious Me. For his 1999 Edinburgh Fringe show The Arthur Dung Show, he earned a nomination for Best Newcomer at the . Lamb rose to further prominence in the early 2000s as a lead voice artist on the ITV satirical animated series (2001–2004), where his impressions and narration style garnered . Beyond Come Dine with Me—which marked its 20th anniversary in 2025 and for which Lamb records scripted voiceovers post-filming with opportunities for ad-libbing—he has voiced characters in projects including the CBBC revival of Danger Mouse (2015–2018), the film Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (2019), and hosted the spin-off Horrible Histories: Gory Games. His on-screen acting credits include roles in the comedy-drama (2008–2009). Lamb also co-founded the production company Top Dog Productions, through which he has directed comedy projects, solidifying his multifaceted role in British .

Early life

Childhood and family background

David Alexander Lamb was born on 17 January 1969 in Westminster, , . Public details about his parents and any siblings remain scarce, underscoring Lamb's commitment to privacy regarding his family background. Raised primarily in after his early years in , Lamb spent much of his childhood in the area, where he attended The Broxbourne School.

Education

Lamb was born in and later attended The Broxbourne School, a secondary school in , . He went on to study at the , completing his degree in the early . Originally intending to pursue , Lamb switched to after receiving lower-than-expected results—an E grade instead of the required A and two Bs—which he later described as a pivotal but challenging choice. His humanities-focused studies at fostered an early interest in ; a bet with a coursemate led him to take on an acting role, after which he co-founded the university comedy troupe The Cheese Shop, marking the beginning of his comedic endeavors and influencing his wry, observational style in later and writing work.

Career beginnings

Initial forays into comedy and acting

Dave Lamb's entry into comedy and acting was influenced by his academic background in at the , where he developed an interest in performance through student productions. In the mid-1990s, Lamb co-founded the troupe The Cheese Shop with fellow students Gerard Foster, Gordon Southern, Tim Verrinder, Ben Ward, and Richard Webb, initially creating a popular half-hour show that led to live performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The group expanded their work to , producing three series of between 1997 and 1999, including The Cheese Shop Presents: The Butter Factor, which showcased revue-style character sketches and marked Lamb's early professional foray into and performing. Lamb's television debut came in 1998 as part of the BBC ensemble sketch comedy series Goodness Gracious Me. He followed this with a role as the character Buster, a homophobic tramp, in the BBC sitcom How Do You Want Me?, portraying a recurring minor figure in the series that explored rural life and relationships. He followed this with guest appearances in other programs, including a brief role as a bailiff in two episodes of EastEnders in June 2004. These initial acting credits highlighted Lamb's versatility in supporting comedic and dramatic parts before his profile rose in the 2000s.

Breakthrough television roles

Dave Lamb's breakthrough in television came through his recurring role in the BBC sketch comedy series Goodness Gracious Me, which aired from 1998 to 2000. As the show's only regular white cast member, Lamb portrayed a variety of "token white bloke" characters, often satirizing cultural clashes between British and South Asian perspectives through ensemble sketches. His performances, including ensemble contributions in specials like Back Where They Came From in 2001, helped establish his reputation for humor and versatility in multicultural comedy, earning a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 1999 . Building on this success, Lamb appeared in the 1999 ITV sitcom Dark Ages, a five-episode series parodying medieval life and millennial fears set in 999 AD. He played the character of Badsmith, a in the ensemble cast alongside and , contributing to the show's blend of historical satire and absurd humor. This role marked one of his early on-screen sitcom appearances, showcasing his ability to embody quirky supporting characters in period comedy. Lamb further solidified his television presence as a core voice artist in the animated satirical sketch show , which ran on ITV from 2001 to 2004 across five series. He provided impressions of prominent figures, including politicians like and , as well as celebrities such as , delivering sharp, timely commentary on current events through animated vignettes. His consistent involvement across all series highlighted his skill in voice characterization, making him a staple in the program's ensemble of impressionists. In the mid-2000s, Lamb took on more prominent acting roles in scripted series. He portrayed producer Des in the 2007 BBC Two sitcom The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle, a dark created by about a chaotic daytime ; Lamb's character navigated the behind-the-scenes dysfunction alongside stars like . The following year, in 2008, he played TV writer Carl Morris in the ITV satirical drama Moving Wallpaper, appearing in all 18 episodes of the first series as a jaded scriptwriter in a fictional . These roles demonstrated Lamb's range in ensemble , transitioning from sketch work to ongoing character arcs.

Voice-over and narration

Come Dine with Me

Dave Lamb has served as the off-screen narrator for the reality series since its premiere on 10 January 2005, providing commentary that has become integral to the show's identity. In the early episodes, Lamb ad-libbed much of his narration in response to the footage, reacting spontaneously to contestants' cooking mishaps and dinner party dynamics. Over time, the process evolved to a more structured approach, with Lamb now reading from a provided script while retaining the flexibility to improvise around it for added nuance. Lamb's narration style is characterized by dry, sarcastic humor that gently teases the contestants without descending into outright nastiness, often highlighting awkward moments or culinary disasters with wry observations that enhance the show's lighthearted entertainment value. He has described his approach as toning down potentially cutting lines to maintain a playful tone, ensuring the commentary pokes fun at the format's inherent absurdities rather than targeting individuals harshly. This signature delivery has contributed significantly to the series' enduring appeal, making Lamb a recognizable voice in British television. The show marked its 20th anniversary in 2025, with Lamb having narrated nearly all of the approximately 2,500 UK episodes produced to date, underscoring his long-term commitment to the format. Come Dine with Me has also inspired international adaptations in 50 countries and territories worldwide, from to various African versions, demonstrating 's global resonance. Lamb has also provided narration for adaptations in countries including and . In early 2025 interviews, Lamb reflected on the show's success, sharing behind-the-scenes insights during appearances on the Off Air with Jane and Fi, where he discussed the recording process and noted that while the future of the series is not rigidly "set up," it remains an enjoyable endeavor for him after two decades. Lamb made a rare on-screen appearance in the 2016 special : Champion of Champions, hosting past winners at a stately home in a departure from his usual voice-only role. In November 2025, Lamb began narrating the spin-off series : Teens, which premiered on on 10 November 2025.

Other voice-over projects

Lamb's voice work extended into video games, where he provided additional voices, including that of one of the Spade brothers, for in 2008 and reprised similar roles in in 2010. In television animation and sketches, he served as the narrator for select sketches in the series from 2010 to 2013. His distinctive narration style also featured prominently in the 2015 reboot of Danger Mouse, where he voiced the narrator across all three seasons until 2019. Beyond scripted projects, Lamb has contributed to various commercial voice-overs, including multiple campaigns for the supermarket chain , where his wry delivery enhanced promotional spots starting around 2020. These roles, along with educational and promotional content, highlight his versatility in non-narrative .

Television and presenting

Guest and recurring appearances

Following his breakthrough roles in sketch comedy series such as Goodness Gracious Me, Dave Lamb secured several supporting acting parts in television sitcoms and dramas during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2007, Lamb portrayed the producer Des in the BBC Two sitcom The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle, a six-episode series starring Jennifer Saunders as a chaotic daytime TV agony aunt, where Lamb's character navigated the behind-the-scenes turmoil of the show. That same year, he appeared as Colin in the ITV comedy-drama Catwalk Dogs, a single-episode story centered on a man's obsession with entering his pet in dog shows amid personal upheaval. Lamb took on a recurring role as television writer Carl Morris in the ITV satire Moving Wallpaper across its two series from 2008 to 2009, depicting the cutthroat world of production, with Morris as a jaded member of the writing team enduring network interference and creative clashes. In 2009, he guest-starred as the pompous businessman Colin in the episode "Holiday" of the BBC sitcom , where his character disrupted the protagonist's seaside getaway with overbearing holiday cheer. During 2010 and 2011, Lamb played the authoritative Sergeant Foster in two episodes of the prequel series , a spin-off from , including the Christmas special "Five Gold Rings," in which his character interrogated suspects in the underworld. These roles highlighted Lamb's versatility in comedic supporting parts, often involving authority figures or industry insiders, though he maintained a lower profile in on-screen television acting compared to his voice work.

Presenting and on-screen roles

Dave Lamb has established himself as a charismatic on-screen presenter in family-oriented and programming, leveraging his comedic timing to engage young audiences and viewers alike. His visible hosting roles often blend humor with interactive elements, drawing from his background in to deliver energetic performances. One of Lamb's prominent on-screen roles was as co-presenter of the Horrible Histories: Gory Games, which aired from 2011 to 2018. In this adaptation of the popular sketch series, Lamb hosted alongside the puppet character Rattus Rattus, guiding young contestants through quizzes, challenges, and historical reenactments focused on "gory" and quirky facts from history to educate and entertain children. The show featured three contestants competing in time-period-themed games, such as Viking or Tudor rounds, with Lamb providing witty commentary and scoring to determine winners who collected "year spheres." Over its seven-series run, the program emphasized fun learning through physical and knowledge-based tasks, attracting a dedicated young audience on the BBC's children's channel. Lamb also stepped into the spotlight for on-screen hosting in specials of Come Dine with Me, marking a departure from his primary narration duties. Notably, in the 2016 series Come Dine with Me: Champion of Champions, he appeared as the presenter, inviting past winners to compete in a high-stakes dinner party format at a stately home setting. Lamb judged the challenges, interacted directly with contestants, and maintained the show's signature sarcastic humor while on camera, surprising long-time fans accustomed to his voice-only presence after over a decade. This role highlighted his versatility, allowing him to embody the dry wit that defines the series in a more visible capacity. His voice-over experience from has notably enhanced the delivery in these presenting roles, infusing on-screen segments with a familiar, engaging that keeps the content lively.

Other media work

Radio contributions

Dave Lamb began his radio career in the late as a member of the The Cheese Shop, a group of writer-performers who created sketch-based shows for 4. The troupe, which included Foster, Gordon Southern, Tim Verrinder, Ben Ward, and Richie Webb, produced three series between 1997 and 1999, featuring original sketches, songs, and jokes broadcast in late-night slots. Lamb contributed to the writing and performance of these revue-style programs, such as The Cheese Shop Presents: The Butter Factor, which aired in 1999 and showcased the ensemble's satirical humor. Throughout the early 2000s, Lamb expanded his radio involvement by writing and performing in several series, blending comedy with dramatic elements. He co-wrote and starred in The Bigger Issues, a that ran for three series from 2000 to 2003, portraying a group of inept actors attempting socially conscious theater productions that devolve into chaos; the show featured recurring characters played by Lamb alongside Jim North, Nick Walker, and Richie Webb. Similarly, Lamb wrote and performed in the radio drama , Europe, which aired two series in 2002 and 2004; the first series, broadcast as an Afternoon Play in November 2002, followed a taxi driver navigating personal and political dilemmas while listening to Radio 4, with Lamb in the lead role opposite and . In 2009, Lamb joined the cast of the ElvenQuest, playing the recurring role of Amis across four series until 2014. In 2013, Lamb created the sitcom Hobby Bobbies for , writing the series about a pair of ineffective police community support officers tackling minor crimes in a suburban setting. The show, which ran for two series totaling eight episodes through 2014, starred Richie Webb, Nick Walker, and guest appearances by figures like , emphasizing Lamb's script-focused contributions to ensemble comedy.

Film and stage appearances

Dave Lamb's contributions to film are relatively sparse, with his most prominent role being that of Dougal in the 2019 family comedy : The Movie – Rotten Romans. Directed by Dominic Brigstocke, the film adapts the children's sketch series into a feature-length story set in , where Lamb's character adds to the ensemble of humorous historical figures. This appearance marked a natural extension of his voice work on the original TV series, showcasing his delivery in a live-action context. Lamb made his stage debut in 2003 alongside and in a production of Ray Cooney's farce Caught in the Net at the . Lamb's background, honed through sketch shows like Goodness Gracious Me and , influenced his by emphasizing satirical timing and character exaggeration suited to the film's educational yet irreverent tone. No additional major film cameos have been documented.

Personal life

Private life and relationships

Dave Lamb has consistently kept details of his personal relationships and family life out of the public eye, emphasizing privacy amid his high-profile career in voice-over narration. He is married, a fact he briefly mentioned as noted in a 2010 interview where he noted his wife's interest in the culinary aspects of Come Dine with Me, but he has shared no further information about her identity or their partnership. As of 2025, there are no confirmed public reports of Lamb having children or other family members involved in his professional sphere. This reclusive approach allows him to focus on personal well-being without the intrusion often faced by public figures, a stance he has upheld throughout his career.

Residence and interests

Dave Lamb resides in , . He has lived there since at least the early and maintains a low-profile lifestyle centered on local involvement. Lamb is a shareholder in , the town's club, and regularly attends home matches at stadium, where he supports the team from the terraces. His enthusiasm for underscores a broader interest in community-oriented activities, including backing club fundraising efforts such as the 2020 crowdfunder to sustain operations during the .

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0482936/
  2. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/dave-lamb.html
  3. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1227486-dave-lamb
  4. https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-come-dine-with-me-narrator-reveals-the-shows-secrets/
  5. https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/dave_lamb/
  6. https://www.comedyawards.co.uk/best-newcomer/1999/the-arthur-dung-show
  7. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/screen-life-come-dine-mes-31007992
  8. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2014625/Channel-4-Come-Dine-with-Me-Dave-Lamb-marks-20-years
  9. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0482936/bio/
  10. https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/15-things-youd-only-know-3476578
  11. https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/im-terrible-cook-admits-come-3927326
  12. https://thoughtleader.co.za/come-dine-with-me-like-lambs-to-the-slaughter/
  13. http://www.britishcomedy.org.uk/comedy/cheeseshop.html
  14. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8795379.a-hero-of-cult-commentary/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137305/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0136643/fullcredits/
  17. https://metro.co.uk/2021/08/20/come-dine-with-me-who-did-narrator-dave-lamb-play-in-eastenders-15123296/
  18. https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/channel-4-come-dine-me-21207508
  19. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/13004188/tv-mysterious-stars-deal-or-no-deal-banker-mr-blobby-come-dine-with-me-narrator/
  20. https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/2427/interview-dave-lamb-%25E2%2580%2593-voice-come-dine-me
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137305/fullcredits/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0227890/
  23. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/dark_ages/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298617/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0917429/
  26. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/vivienne_vyle/characters/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1075233/
  28. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/moving_wallpaper/characters/
  29. https://uk.style.yahoo.com/off-screen-life-come-dine-150000398.html
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/mar/07/dave-lamb-come-dine-with-me
  31. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-14389133/come-dine-voice-fans-stunned-truth.html
  32. https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/14/is-come-dine-with-me-scripted-2-15247045/
  33. https://deadline.com/2025/02/come-dine-with-me-dave-lamb-20th-anniversary-1236287945/
  34. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/national/uk-today/24855739.come-dine-mark-20-years-new-channel-4-series/
  35. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/05/come-dine-with-me-celebrates-20-years-channel-4
  36. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/itv-studios_come-dine-with-me-hits-50-territories-activity-7387503136296415232-Vtq_
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12049824/characters/nm0482936
  38. https://podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/welcome-to-the-middle-aged-womens-world/id1648663774?i=1000688618182
  39. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/come-dine-narrator-dave-lamb-7294645
  40. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/feb/01/come-dine-with-me-champion-of-champions
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38926163/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1310502/fullcredits/
  43. https://horrible-histories.fandom.com/wiki/Dave_Lamb
  44. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/danger-mouse-cast
  45. https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/comment-and-opinion/aldi-ad-gives-doubting-ann-the-third-degree/602341.article
  46. https://www.facebook.com/BrownBearAudio/videos/its-scanner-time-with-aldi-uk-we-recently-had-a-great-studio-session-with-dave-l/1087321000099723/
  47. https://www.sueterryvoices.com/artist/dave-lamb
  48. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x2zfm
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1965776/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9020374/
  51. https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/the_cheese_shop_presents_butter_factor/
  52. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008hn0l
  53. https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/the_bigger_issues/
  54. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l6jfq
  55. https://www.thetimes.com/article/play-choice-tuesday-november-19-d0cl02np5mw
  56. https://suttonelms.org.uk/r4-plays-2002.html
  57. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010j3zz
  58. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2013/28/r4-hobby-bobbies
  59. https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/hobby_bobbies/
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7715070/fullcredits/
  61. https://kids.kiddle.co/Dave_Lamb
  62. https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/come-dine-me-david-lambs-21118943
  63. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19498112.sussex-come-dine-contestants-now-best-friends/
  64. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/13789969.sussex-man-lends-voice-to-new-danger-mouse-show/
  65. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18556323.channel-4-come-dine-star-backs-lewes-fc-crowdfunder/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.