FROM EastEnders’ villain Archie Mitchell to patriarch Mick Shipman in the phenomenally popular comedy Gavin & Stacey, Larry Lamb has played larger-than-life characters in some of the UK’s biggest TV shows.

In tomorrow’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC One at 9pm, he investigates some similarly colourful personalities on his quest to learn more about his .

Edmonton-born Larry was well into adulthood when he discovered his mum, Jessie, was adopted as a baby.

Jessie has always nursed the dream she would meet her own mother again, and now, at the age of 84, she has recently accessed her adoption files and shares them with her son.

The actor also sees a picture of his grandfather for the first time, before discovering he has a long-lost relative.

He begins to suspect the family emigrated — a theory which is eventually confirmed.

In addition to this, the 63-year-old’s search also uncovers extraordinary photographs of relatives who were lion tamers and showmen.

Blackadder Goes Forth meets The Inbetweeners in Comedy Showcase: Chickens on Channel 4, Friday at 10.30pm.

As the First World War rages, the brave and bold menfolk are fighting the good fight on foreign soil.

But in one English village three young men are yet to take up arms.

George is a Quaker and a pacifist. But despite being genuinely courageous, almost everybody in the village thinks he’s a coward, including the children he teaches at the school.

Cecil has flat feet and, despite his best efforts, isn’t allowed into the Army.

He comes from a family with a very proud military tradition — his younger brother being particularly gallant and highly decorated.

Wherever he goes Cecil is ribbed about imagined illnesses like hair-ache and in-growing teeth, and tries to bury his paranoia in war-related work.

Finally, Bert should be in the Army and doesn’t have a legitimate reason not to be.

However, he’s an outstanding liar, with absolutely no guilt about being on the wrong side of the law.

He follows Cecil and George around looking for opportunities to have sex and wears Cecil’s father's medals, implying they’re his.

Anyone remember the Ulrika Jonsson-hosted TV series Mr Right in which the ‘prize’, former army major Lance Gerrard-Wright, ended up with the presenter instead of one of the 15 women vying to make it onto his arm?

Thinking back to that show, you could be forgiven for wondering if The Bachelor, on Five, Friday at 10pm, really will provide Gavin Henson with his ‘perfect girl’.

Call me cynical, but perhaps it’s just another vehicle for the perma-tanned ex-rugby player to make it as a TV star.