Larry Lamb, 73, candidly discusses losing his brother Wesley to cancer while he was away

Larry Lamb discussed on Thursday the moment his brother Wesley died from cancer  in 2019 when he was away, while declaring he is ‘so grateful’ for the final moments they had together. 

The actor, 73, had grown apart from his sibling over the years but they reunited in the last week of Wes’ life at a hospice, with Larry sleeping in the room to be by his side. 

However, his brother tragically passed away when he went to visit a close friend – who was also dying – as he recalled the tragic phone call from nurses on This Morning. 

‘It changed my life’: Larry Lamb discussed on Thursday the moment his brother Wesley died from cancer in 2019 when he was away, while declaring he is ‘so grateful’ for their final moments

Remembering one of their final conversations, the star said: ‘He went like this [pointing at his mouth] and I said, “what, you want a kiss?” and he went [nodding his head].

‘And so we kissed each other and I felt his hand go around the back of my head and my hand went around the back of his head and we were stroking each other like little monkeys, just like when we were boys but he was just over 70 and me over 70.’

This Morning host Ruth Langsford proceeded to ask Larry if he was there when Wes passed away. 

‘This is the weird thing,’ Larry responded. ‘They [doctors] knew right from the beginning that when I was up there [at the hospice], the problem was I had another friend in London, very close to the same point and I was trying to do the two things.

Family: The actor, 73, had grown apart from his sibling (pictured left) over the years but they reunited in the last week of Wes’ life at a hospice, with Larry sleeping in the room to be by his side

Candid: However, his brother tragically passed away when he went to visit a close friend – who was also dying – as he recalled the tragic phone call from nurses on This Morning

‘And they said, “look, we’re here with him” because it had gone on for five days longer then they expected, and they said, “look we will hold the fort, we will keep in touch, you go off and head south,” and as I went south I got the call where they said, “that’s it he’s gone.”‘ 

When asked how his brother’s death has impacted him, Larry continued: ‘Literally it changed my life and attitude to death and making amends and healing up those wounds that have festered for years.

‘I am just so grateful that I went and spent time with him. We hadn’t done that since we were baby boys and I always say [when I die], just don’t have anyone around me that I don’t like.’

Recollection: Larry said: ‘They [doctors] knew right from the beginning that when I was up there [at the hospice], the problem was I had another friend in London, very close to the same point and I was trying to do the two things’

The moment: The actor continued: ‘And they said, “look we will hold the fort, we will keep in touch, you go off and head south,” and as I went south I got the call where they said, “that’s it he’s gone”‘

On what Wes’ death has taught him, the EastEnders actor concluded: ‘Just how valuable life is and how important it is to hang on as long as you can, live your life. He got cut off in his prime.’

Larry also has a sister, Penny, 64, who is a freelance personal assistant based in Brighton. 

He has a daughter Vanessa Clare, 52, from his first marriage to Anita Wisbey. 

He shares George Lamb, 41,  with his second wife Linda Martin and is also the parent to Eloise, 22, and Eva-Mathilde, 18, with his former partner of 20 years, Clare Burt.

If you have any questions or concerns about cancer, the Macmillan Support Line is open every day from 8am-8pm on 0808 808 00 00.  

Bonding: He also remembered the moment they kissed and stroked each other’s heads, saying: ‘[We were] like little monkeys, just like when we were boys’

Loved ones: Larry also has a sister, Penny, 64. He is the father to Vanessa Clare, 52, George Lamb, 41, (pictured) Eloise, 22, (pictured) and Eva-Mathilde, 18, from three previous relationships