As the flatulent, uncouth, and routinely unkempt Jackson Lamb, he’s managed to both offend and impress audiences in equal measure across six successful seasons of Slow Horses.

Sir Gary Oldman notes that the character’s infamously bad habits and lack of personal hygiene have even reached the highest levels of British royalty, especially impacting the Prince of Wales.

The esteemed actor, aged 67, was greeted by Prince William during a ceremony at Windsor Castle where he received his knighthood for contributions to drama. He reveals that the future King, an unexpected admirer of the Apple TV series, took the moment to express his opinion about Lamb.

“He mentioned that he, I believe, along with William and Kate are fans of the show and they watch it,” Oldman recalled during an appearance on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with the National Lottery.

‘But he says every time I see you on the screen, he said, I just want to give you a good wash. That’s quite right, by the way.’ 

Despite his slovenly onscreen appearance, Oldman insists he actually smells far better than he might appear while filming scenes as Lamb. 

He said: ‘I smell better. I do actually smell better than I look, than I appear. The thing that you want as a performer, as an actor, the thing you lust after is good writing. 

‘Good writing informs the choices. They’re signposts. It’s like your map. And an instinctual writer will lay it out for you and then you follow it and you interpret it. 

‘When you have not so good writing, you’re always searching for the organic. You’re always looking to make it… You know, there’s something lacking.’ 

Already a hugely respected star, Oldman has won a new legion of fans through his portrayal of Lamb on Slow Horses, a serialised TV adaptation of the bestselling Slough House novels by Mick Herron. 

And Oldman adits the author’s ability to create authentic, believable and uniquely British characters made it easy for him to embody Lamb and his unappealing character traits.   

‘Huge credit to Mick Herron, because he has created this universe and these people,’ he said. ‘ You take something from a book. 

‘Of course, I’m a living, breathing human, walking through space. I give it my own bit of something. I put a bit of English on it, you know? Fair thing. 

‘But the creation of him is Mick. And it’s all there for you. So you take the clues and you sort of… and then run with it.’ 

After being awarded the knighthood, Oldman said: ‘It was emotional. Very emotional. We spoke (for) a minute, but I almost couldn’t find my voice.  

‘I think I feel very honoured, very humbled and flattered, I think in equal measure. It compares to nothing else. It’s a singular event, that is what it is.

‘I thought the Oscar was a big deal. No disrespect to the Academy, but it sort of pales in comparison to this. It’s just been wonderful.’ 

Of his conversation with the prince, he said: ‘He mentioned The Fifth Element and Churchill of Darkest Hour.

‘He said he was very happy that I was here today and that it was him that had the opportunity to present me with (the honour).’ 

Oldman was knighted as fellow actor Samantha Morton received an OBE for services to drama and to charity, an the actor admitted he was delighted to cross paths with her following the investiture. 

‘I think it’s an incredible honour,’ he told Evans. ‘And also, Dr. Samantha Morton was there, who I’ve, I’ve, never worked with, but run into and, in fact, worked with her ex when I did, when I did – Charlie Creed-Miles, when I did Nil by Mouth. 

‘But I didn’t recognise or know many of the people who were receiving honours. But they’re people who are not in front of the camera. They’re not, they’re not entertainers. 

‘They’re not, they’re people that we don’t know or we’ve never heard of, who were doing incredible work.’ 

Listen to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery on Virgin Radio UK, weekdays from 6:30am.