Come Dine With Me has been a massive success for Channel 4 since its debut in 2005. One of the standout features of the show over the years has been the narration by Dave Lamb.

The star charmed audiences with his humorous commentary as contestants prepared their three-course meals in an attempt to impress their guests and secure the cash prize.

He recently spilled some behind-the-scenes secrets, including strange fan requests and last-minute alterations to the script.

In a chat with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover on their podcast Off Air with Jane and Fi, Dave shared some insider information about the show.

When asked if he’s ever ‘crossed the line’ with his iconic narration, he responded: “I really hope not. A lot of the time everything I say is scripted, because of the way it’s filmed.

“Obviously, they’re condensing five full days and nights of filming into five half-hour episodes. So they have to craft a very tight story, with a proper narrative arc. So they have to be very precise about what gets said.

“I’m reading from a script, which I’m allowed to ad-lib around. If anything, I will try and tone it down rather than making it more cutting.

“I think what this show does really well is bring everyone with it. I don’t think there’s a nastiness to it, at least I hope there isn’t. It’s not about shooting fish in a barrel or trying to get one over on people. It’s about trying to have fun.

“There’s teasing, definitely, but hopefully it’s inclusive, gentle teasing and teasing of everybody. I’d hate to think that it’s nasty, I’ve really tried hard to make it not.”

Elsewhere in the chat, Dave spilled the beans on whether he’s had any odd fan requests since becoming a household name on the hit Channel 4 show.

“I think in the early days, people seemed to think I’m going to be in the corner in a sheepskin coat like some sort of culinary John Motson, commentating live like I’m going to be there.

“So in the early days, I had people getting in touch asking if I’ll come to their dinner parties and commentate on them.

“Just privately, in their houses. The thought of doing that makes me feel quite weak, even thinking about it. It just doesn’t work like that. That would be so excruciating to turn up and go, “Oh, this’ll be hilarious, you’ll love this everybody.”

Come Dine With Me continues on Channel 4

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