Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb recalls suffering from life-threatening illness as he shares terrifying symptoms – ahead of Christmas special

Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb recalls suffering from a life-threatening illness in 2010.

The actor, 77, who plays Mick Shipman in the show, contracted malaria after traveling to Senegal to raise awareness of child poverty.

When he returned from his trip to Britain, he began to develop a severe fever that lasted for months and the illness eventually left him deaf in one ear and developing tinnitus.

He has now told The Express of his terrifying symptoms: ‘It’s been catastrophic. I am known for never having been sick. But I went into a complete physical meltdown. At one point I felt like I was dying. But the real shock came when I realized I couldn’t hear properly.

‘It felt like the worst hangover I’ve ever had. For a few days I had a fever, which made me sweat and then cool down again. I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t have the strength to do anything.

‘It was hell. When I sat with two or three friends, it was impossible to follow the conversation. I suddenly understood why people with hearing loss can become isolated.’

The actor, 77, who plays Mick Shipman in the show, contracted malaria after traveling to Senegal to raise awareness of child poverty

Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by certain species of mosquitoes.

The cast of Gavin and Stacey broke down in tears this week as they marked the last time they would be together as a group before watching the final episode.

The show’s creators, James Corden, 46, and Ruth Jones, 58, took over as presenters of the breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 on Monday and were joined by a plethora of cast members ahead of the sitcom’s final ever episode.

But as their show came to an end, the cast members were seen rocking back and forth, holding each other as they shared an emotional moment.

As they sat in the studio listening to Run by Stephen Fretwell, the cast could be seen enjoying their last moments together with a hug and a kiss.

And it wasn’t just the cast who were left sobbing as fans flocked to the comments section to reveal that they too shed a tear during the episode.

One wrote: ‘Oh! Oh! I’m crying. It must feel like you’re going through a breakup. Such a beautiful cast of people. They should all go out and get beaten and fight in Caroline Street.”

‘To quote Pam Shipman Christmas special 2008, I’m gone… I’m really gone!’

When he returned to Britain from his trip, he began to develop a severe fever that lasted for months and the illness eventually left him deaf in one ear and developed tinnitus.

The cast of Gavin and Stacey broke down in tears this week as they marked the last time they would be together as a group before watching the final episode.

‘Damn neat! I cried all day and am now watching all the episodes for the 100th time ‘

‘To cry! Brilliant show, bravo!! I can’t wait to see the final on Wednesday’

Their emotional display came after fans hailed the BBC Radio 2 takeover as ‘iconic’ as they declared they wanted the stars to lead the show ‘every day’.

During the show, they revealed secrets about the upcoming finale, shared some of their favorite memories from the series and discussed all things festive.

And fans of Gavin and Stacey were clearly loving the cast’s radio work as they rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their joy at hearing the actors on air in the morning.

They wrote: ‘Loving the cast of Gavin and Stacey on @BBCRadio2 this morning. Later today I’m going home to the valleys, and it makes me all the more giddy. Correctly!!

‘#Gavinandstacey taking over the #BBCRadio2 breakfast show is ICONIC! I love it.’

‘Merry Christmas Ruth & James, woke up early this morning to listen to you! I’ve seen Gavin & Stacey from the beginning and can’t wait to see the finale

The very last part ever will air on Christmas Day this year in a 90-minute special, after fans of the show begged for an end to the story

‘The #Gavinandstacey crew should be on every breakfast show……. Hilarious and brilliant.’

‘I wouldn’t mind waking up to Ruth Jones every morning! #Gavinandstacey #BBCradiotwo A treat I didn’t expect.”

James and Ruth were joined by Joanna Page, Mat Horne, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Rob Wilfort for the three-hour special.

The very last part ever will air on Christmas Day this year in a 90-minute special, after fans of the show begged for an end to the story.