Origins
Despite being one of the more bizarre characters in the series, Papa Lazarou was in fact based on a real person, Peter Papalazarou, who was the landlord of a flat in which Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton lived. When he called, he would only ever ask for "Steve" (Pemberton), and would refuse to talk to Shearsmith. In a gruff voice he would inquire, "Hello Steve?", then when told by Shearsmith that Pemberton was not present he would reply, "Ok, is Steve there?". Both this and his saying, "This is just a saga now", were adapted into the script. On one occasion the landlord said, "I've got a hoover, Steve, belonging to you." This was also incorporated, 'hoover' becoming 'pegs', the selling of which appears to be Papa Lazarou's cover for his true diabolical purpose.
Papalazarou is a common Greek last name.
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