Larry Lamb reveals hearing ordeal

Larry Lamb has admitted that he has suffered profound hearing loss in one of his ears after being struck down with a fever following a trip to Africa.

The former EastEnders actor was ill for a month earlier this year after flying out to Dakar in Senegal in a bid to raise awareness of the work done by child poverty charity Plan. He was bitten by mosquito during his stay and doctors suspect that his subsequent sickness was caused by malaria.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Mail, Lamb confessed that he took the anti-malarial drug Malarone throughout his visit but ignored advice to continue using the pills after he returned home.

He said: "I'd been told I should take them for eight days after leaving Senegal, but didn't understand why as I was completely well. But about three days later I began to feel ill."

The 62-year-old, best known for his role as Walford villain Archie Mitchell, later developed severe hearing problems in his right ear. Malarial infections can damage vital hair cells in the inner ear.

Lamb said that he now uses a hi-tech hearing aid to ease his problems and is hoping his story will inspire other people to be careful when visiting poverty-stricken nations.

He commented: "I can only blame myself - I was stupid and I've paid the price. I want to warn other people, including celebrities who go abroad to promote charities. I won't be making any more such trips myself. Of course, I saw a lot worse in Africa, but it has been really upsetting."