Sir Gary Oldman reveals Slow Horses fan Prince William told him he wants to give his ‘greasy’ alter-ego Jackson Lamb ‘a good wash’ – as he breaks his silence on the ‘incredible honour’ of being knighted

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I’ve been watching Jackson Lamb on Slow Horses for six seasons now, and honestly, he’s a fascinating character! He’s deliberately flustered, rough around the edges, and let’s just say not always the most put-together person. But that’s part of his appeal! What’s amazing is how he’s simultaneously offended and impressed by everything around him – it makes for truly compelling television.

According to Sir Gary Oldman, the character he portrays has such famously terrible habits and lack of cleanliness that it’s even made an impression on some of the British royal family, specifically The Prince of Wales.

The celebrated actor, 67, received his knighthood for his contributions to the world of theatre at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, and was greeted by Prince William. He revealed that the Prince – a surprising fan of the Apple TV series – used the moment to discuss his opinions on the character Lamb.

He remembered saying that, as far as he could recall, both William and Kate enjoy the show, and that he himself is a viewer. He shared this during an interview on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with the National Lottery.

He jokingly says that whenever he sees me on TV, he feels the urge to give me a thorough cleaning. That’s actually a fair point, by the way.

Even though he looks rather unkempt while acting, Oldman maintains that he smells much better than he seems when filming scenes as Lamb.

He stated: ‘I genuinely smell better than I look. As a performer, as an actor, what you really crave is well-written material. ‘

As a lifestyle expert, I always say that good writing really guides your decisions. Think of it like helpful signposts – or even a map! A writer who truly *gets* it will present information in a way that feels natural, almost instinctual. They’ll lay everything out clearly, and then it’s up to you to follow along and understand what it means. It’s about making the path forward feel clear and accessible.

When your writing isn’t strong, you often try to find a natural, authentic voice. You’re constantly striving to improve it, because you sense that something is missing.

Gary Oldman, already a well-known and admired actor, has gained even more popularity thanks to his role as Lamb in Slow Horses, the TV series based on the popular Slough House novels by Mick Herron.

Oldman explained that the author’s skill in crafting genuine, relatable, and distinctly British characters allowed him to fully become Lamb, even with the character’s unpleasant qualities. He found it easy to portray Lamb because of the author’s work in making him feel authentic and believable.

I give a lot of credit to Mick Herron, as he’s the one who built this world and developed these characters,” he explained. “You start with material from a book…

Naturally, I’m a real person, experiencing life and moving through the world. I add my own personal touch to things. I bring a unique perspective, you could say. It’s only right, really.

Ultimately, the character was brought to life by Mick. Everything you need to understand him is right there. So, you pick up on the hints and then just go with it.

Following the announcement of his knighthood, Oldman shared: ‘It was emotional. Very emotional. We talked (for) a minute, but I was struggling to speak.’

I’m deeply honoured, humbled, and flattered – all in equal measure, really. There’s truly nothing else quite like it. It’s a completely unique and special occasion, that’s what it feels like.

I used to think the Oscar was a really important award. I don’t mean any disrespect to the Academy, but this feels much more significant. It’s simply been wonderful. It’s just been wonderful.

Regarding his discussion with the prince, he stated: ‘He brought up The Fifth Element and Churchill of Darkest Hour.’

I was so touched when he told me how happy he was that I could make it today. He specifically said he was the one who got to present me with (the honour), and it meant a lot to me that he felt that way. It truly was a special moment.

Sir Anthony Hopkins was knighted, while his fellow actor Samantha Morton was appointed an OBE for her contributions to both acting and charitable work. The actor expressed his joy at meeting her after the ceremony.

“It’s a real honour,” he said to Evans. “And it was great to see Dr. Samantha Morton there. I’ve never actually worked with her, but I did work with her ex-husband, Charlie Creed-Miles, when I made Nil by Mouth.”

I didn’t recognize many of the people being honored, and I didn’t know who they were. They’re generally people who work behind the scenes – not public figures or entertainers.

These are individuals we weren’t familiar with – people who were quietly achieving remarkable things.

I absolutely love starting my day with The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery on Virgin Radio UK! I tune in every weekday from 6:30am – it’s the perfect way to kick things off. Seriously, don’t miss it!

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2025-10-01 16:25