Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?

It was a pity that they fell out - Rodney Bewes seems to have been 'difficult', a view shared by other actors who worked with him. He complained over the years that James Bolan wouldn't allow episodes to be repeated, and that it was ok for him as he had a good career, but he (Bewes) needed the income. I found that an odd complaint, as repeats were shown regularly. The series was wonderful - Alun Armstrong, looking somehow much bigger, played a character called 'Dougie' I think, and Joan Hickson was also cast as Thelma's mum. Wonderful hysterics from her.

See first episode ....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HTOdm8757Y

and more!

Loved the Likely lads.Sheila Fearn who played Terry's sister ended up in George and Mildred as the neighbour.
It's a shame the boys fell out in real life.Something to do with Rodney letting slip that Terry's wife was pregnant to the press.Rodney Brewes and his wife had triplets and I think it was a comment about Terry only having one.My memory could be wrong though

GrandmaKT

Another great series for James Bolan fans - The Beiderbecke Affair. 1985, written by Alan Plater. You can watch it on ITVX.

Oh I absolutely loved this too!!

I loved this, great writing, great humour, no swearing or offensive things!

Another great series for James Bolan fans - The Beiderbecke Affair. 1985, written by Alan Plater. You can watch it on ITVX.

I loved this series, back when comedy was at it's greatest. I watched some of it again last year on one of the more obscure channels, can't remember which one sadly. There are some dire so-called comedies around now.

James Bolan also played the part of Jack Ford in When The Boat Comes In. That was a great series, really enjoyed it.

I loved this series. So funny. Really sharp writing by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.

It even has its own Wikipedia entry

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatever_Happened_to_the_Likely_Lads%3F

Calendargirl

The film version of the Likely Lads, I think it was mid 70’s, was also good.

Older, but not wiser.

The film was made about a year after the 1974 Christmas special and is like a continuation of the television show with Terry's parents being moved to a block of flats and Terry becoming a mobile salesman selling washing powder out of a van, while Bob seems to have moved to a bigger house and bought a new car.

The film version of the Likely Lads, I think it was mid 70’s, was also good.

Older, but not wiser.

SueDonim

I remember almost wheezing with laughter at the antics of The Likely Lads. It all seems so innocent now.

By coincidence, this rather sweet story was on the news today. I was shocked at their ages! That can’t be right, surely?? www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1k7xe2x2xpo

Yes, I think the ages are about right. James Bolam looks pretty old now.

Does anyone remember his wife was in Coronation Street years ago? She played Gerry Booth’s wife Myra. He worked for Len Fairclough and after they married, she spent all his money and left him in debt.

Always remember him saying “For the first time in my life, that bank book’s empty!”

As a youngster I felt so sorry for poor naive Gerry. She must have been the most hated woman in Britain back then!

Wonderful series.

I remember almost wheezing with laughter at the antics of The Likely Lads. It all seems so innocent now.

By coincidence, this rather sweet story was on the news today. I was shocked at their ages! That can’t be right, surely?? www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1k7xe2x2xpo

Yes, they were great, so funny. Both series is now on ITVX….

I used to love the Likely Lads in the 60's, it was compulsory viewing in our house. When they came back in the 70's I had my reservations but it was an absolute masterpiece and quite a social commentary of the time. I didn't realise they only did two series but probably because James Bolam went on to greater things. One thing I never understood was Bob's accent, whilst north country, was not Geordie. How realistic would that have been in the region? Excuse my ignorance.

This has certainly stood the test of time. I still enjoy the humour of the likely lads.

There were three seasons of The Likely Lads from 1964 - 1966, which ended with Bob applying to join the army. Terry decided to join as well, but then Bob failed the medical. WHTTLL was the sequel, released in 1973 - 1974, when Terry had served his 7 years and returned home.

It was a programme of its time. Very amusing.
Rodney Bewes died 7 years ago. James Bolam is in his late 80’s. I think they fell out big time soon after the series ended and never spoke again.

It was brilliant, I didn't like the original likely lads series at all; this was one series where the sequel was far better than the original.

The Jack Halford actor (James Bolam) played Terry Collier in the original likely lads and what happened to the likely lads.

One of my favourite comedies, each episode a little gem of sharp observations and humour. It’s sad there are so few episodes. Not sure where it is showing at the moment.

I picked up a phrase from Thelma all those years ago and still use it. She used to call Bob, “pet lamb.”

Great programme. Nothing like all those old comedies as everything has to be PC now so nobody gets offended.

Loved it when it first came on t.v. And enjoy it as much today! Such a good combination of rough neck Terry also in trouble teamed with Bob and his social aspirations that always came a cropper! Thelma was the finishing touch. Whoever did the casting for that show got it spot on.

pably15

isn't that one of them who plays Jack Halford in New Tricks, or am I thinking of something else..

Yes it was James Bolam as Jack Halford in another great seties he appeared in.

The episode when Bob and Thelma got married was very poignant. Think Terry was drafted in at the last minute as best man, Thelma was dreading his speech, but instead Terry spoke movingly about how it was no longer ‘Bob and Terry’ but ‘Bob and Thelma’ from now on.

So-called comedies today could learn a lot from shows like this.