British Comedy Guide
Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?. Image shows from L to R: Terry Collier (James Bolam), Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes). Copyright: BBC
Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?

Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1973 - 1974
  • 27 episodes (2 series)

Colour sequel to the hit 1960s sitcom, The Likely Lads. Terry returns from the army to discover his friend Bob is now engaged and looking to better himself. Stars James Bolam, Rodney Bewes, Brigit Forsyth, Sheila Fearn, Bill Owen and more.

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Press clippings Page 2

What did happen to the Likely Lads? Now we know

It is one of television's great mysteries and the sitcom writer Ian La Frenais finally has an answer.

The Times, 18th March 2019

The top 10 British sitcoms of the 70s

The 1970s is rightly lauded as the golden age of British sitcom.

Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus, 1st December 2018

When Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? first aired

BBC1 viewers tuned into a new comedy series, Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? on this day 45 years ago.

David Morton, Newcastle Chronicle, 9th January 2018

The Likely Lads forty-year feud

Of all the memorable TV sitcom theme songs over the years, it was the most melancholy, its words the most haunting: 'Oh, what happened to you, whatever happened to me? What became of the people we used to be?' Rodney Bewes, one half of the hit BBC show Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads, who died yesterday aged 79, asked himself those questions every day of his life for 40 years. His acclaimed double act with co-star James Bolam had ended in an acrimonious telephone call in 1976, after an ill-judged joke sparked an almighty row between them.

Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 22nd November 2017

Likely Lads: Melancholy masterpiece of a TV theme tune

Rodney Bewes, who died this week, will forever be remembered for the sitcom which captured the mood of the 70s - as did La Frenais and Hugg's evocative intro music.

Alexis Petridis, The Guardian, 22nd November 2017

The sitcoms we'd like to see come back on the TV

As some of our most classic comedies are revived for one-off specials - Hancock's Half Hour, Steptoe and Son and Are You Being Served? among them, our brilliant writers explain which sitcoms they'd like to see brought back and why...

Paul Routledge, Polly Hudson, Amber Graafland, Jessica Boulton, Dave Kidd, Sara Wallis and Mark Jefferies, The Mirror, 9th August 2016

What would have happened to The Likely Lads?

"The BBC head of comedy said that when he took over he was given a list of programmes, and right at the bottom of the list was something called The Likely Lads." He was told: 'It won't do anything, but it's cheap.'"

The Daily Express, 25th November 2014

TV Gold: Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Tube Talk Gold is all about nostalgia, but rarely are the shows we cover in this feature actually *about* nostalgia - that feeling of looking at the past through rose-tinted specs. This week's entry is an exception - the only thing to look forward to was the past in BBC One's classic '70s sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Morgan Jeffery, Digital Spy, 2nd February 2013

Bringing new life to a sitcom institution

Two and a bit classic episodes of a much loved sitcom performed live. A North East institution in a small theatre above a North West pub. No pressure then.

Sean Mason, Giggle Beats, 3rd June 2012

Comic John Cooper to star in Likely Lads stage adaption

Comedian John Cooper is set to star in a stage adaption of 1970s sitcom Whatever Happened to The Likely Lads?

Andrew Dipper, Giggle Beats, 10th May 2012

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