Trailer unavailable

Series · 1973 – 1974 · Comedy

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

★7.7 1973 – 1974 2 Seasons TV-MA

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? is a British sitcom which was broadcast between 9 January 1973 and 9 April 1974 on BBC1. It was the colour sequel to the mid-1960s hit The Likely Lads. It was created and written, as was its predecessor, by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. There were 26 television episodes over two series; and a subsequent 45-minute Christmas special was aired on 24 December 1974. The cast were reunited in 1975 for a BBC radio adaptation of series 1, transmitted on Radio 4 from July to October that year. In 1976, a feature film spin-off was made. Around the time of its release, however, Rodney Bewes and James Bolam fell out over a misunderstanding involving the press and have not spoken since. This long-suspected situation was finally confirmed by Bewes while promoting his autobiography in 2005. Unlike Bewes, Bolam is consistently reluctant to talk about the show, and has vetoed any attempt to revive his character.

Seasons & episodes

2 seasons · 26 episodes

Strangers On A Train

Episode 01

Strangers On A Train

Jan 9, 1973 · 30 min

Five years have passed. Bob has travelled to London to buy a wedding present and Terry has returned from Cyprus after a spell in the army. By chance, they meet on the last train home and the events of the past few years flood out.

Home is the Hero

Episode 02

Home is the Hero

Jan 16, 1973 · 30 min

Thelma isn't happy that Terry and Bob have rekindled their friendship and she's worried that Terry will cause Bob to have second thoughts about their wedding. Terry starts to feel homesick for the army as his family don't exactly welcome him back with open arms.

Cold Feet

Episode 03

Cold Feet

Jan 23, 1973 · 30 min

Bob is deeply involved in preparations for his forthcoming wedding to Thelma, completing a period of courtship that started in form 4B at Park Junior School. But Terry's return has caused Bob to have doubts, especially when Terry teases him that his fate was sealed long before their 11-Plus.

Moving On

Episode 04

Moving On

Jan 30, 1973 · 30 min

Appalled by the changes in Newcastle, Terry considers leaving to get a job in Berwick. Meanwhile, his friend's wanderlust sets Bob thinking.

I'll Never Forget Whatshername

Episode 05

I'll Never Forget Whatshername

Feb 6, 1973 · 30 min

Terry tries to track down some of his old flames, but probing into the past produces embarrassing results.

Birthday Boy

Episode 06

Birthday Boy

Feb 13, 1973 · 30 min

Terry feels depressed when everyone, even his mother, forgets his birthday. To make up for it, Bob throws a surprise party, but preparations for the bash don't go according to plan.

No Hiding Place

Episode 07

No Hiding Place

Feb 20, 1973 · 30 min

Bob and Terry are desperate not to know the result of the England v Bulgaria football match, but with eight hours to go will they succeed in their mission?

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Episode 08

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Feb 27, 1973 · 30 min

Bob thinks Terry needs new friends, but inviting him to Alan and Brenda's trendy dinner party might not be such a great idea.

Storm In a Tea Chest

Episode 09

Storm In a Tea Chest

Mar 6, 1973 · 30 min

Terry helps Bob move his most treasured possessions from his old house to the new one, but Thelma refuses to have his junk in their home.

The Old Magic

Episode 10

The Old Magic

Mar 13, 1973 · 30 min

Terry is disappointed that Bob has asked someone else to be his best man at the wedding, but eventually agrees to go out for a meal with his friend before he gets hitched. After a few drinks at the restaurant, they start to chat up a couple of pretty girls who are also eating there.

Count Down

Episode 11

Count Down

Mar 20, 1973 · 30 min

Mrs Chambers has grandiose plans for Thelma's wedding to Bob that leaves the men feeling overwhelmed, so they decide to rebel.

Boys Night In

Episode 12

Boys Night In

Mar 27, 1973 · 30 min

Terry is horrified when Bob refuses to go on a stag night and insists on a quiet night in instead. But pre-wedding nerves mean Bob's plan to celebrate his nuptials sober goes awry.

End of An Era

Episode 13

End of An Era

Apr 3, 1973 · 30 min

The day of the wedding dawns and the women are racing around getting ready for the big event. Meanwhile, Terry has his hands full looking after a nervous Bob.

About the series

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? poster
Audience score
★ 7.7 /10

based on 22 votes

Synopsis

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? is a British sitcom which was broadcast between 9 January 1973 and 9 April 1974 on BBC1. It was the colour sequel to the mid-1960s hit The Likely Lads. It was created and written, as was its predecessor, by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. There were 26 television episodes over two series; and a subsequent 45-minute Christmas special was aired on 24 December 1974. The cast were reunited in 1975 for a BBC radio adaptation of series 1, transmitted on Radio 4 from July to October that year. In 1976, a feature film spin-off was made. Around the time of its release, however, Rodney Bewes and James Bolam fell out over a misunderstanding involving the press and have not spoken since. This long-suspected situation was finally confirmed by Bewes while promoting his autobiography in 2005. Unlike Bewes, Bolam is consistently reluctant to talk about the show, and has vetoed any attempt to revive his character.

Comedy

Cast

2 principal cast

Rodney Bewes

Rodney Bewes

Bob Ferris

James Bolam

James Bolam

Terry Collier

Where to watch Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The comedy has 2 seasons and 26 total episodes, rated 7.7/10 by 22 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? have?

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? has 2 seasons with 26 episodes in total.

Is Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? still on the air?

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads??

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? airs on BBC One.

When did Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? first air?

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? first aired on January 9, 1973.

More like this

Similar series

See all →
I Love Kindergarten

I Love Kindergarten

2015

Big Day

Big Day

2006

Waiting for God

Waiting for God

1990

The Mike O'Malley Show

1999

Sean's Show

Sean's Show

1992

Believe Nothing

Believe Nothing

2002

Vida Loca

Vida Loca

2011

The Steven Banks Show

1994

On the House

1970

One-Upmanship

1976

Brutally Normal

Brutally Normal

2000

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

1959

Teen Angel

Teen Angel

1997

The Brittas Empire

The Brittas Empire

1991

So Little Time

So Little Time

2001

Clarissa Explains It All

Clarissa Explains It All

1991

Everybody Hates Chris

Everybody Hates Chris

2005

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi

2004

California Dreams

California Dreams

1992

Ellen

Ellen

1994