TV series
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.
Availability
Checked Sep 4, 2026
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? premiered January 9, 1973. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
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.
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Episode 1
Bob and Thelma are on a Norwegian honeymoon, far away from the influence of Terry - or so they think. Terry is striving to get to know Thelma's sister Susan a lot better.
Directed by Dick ClementWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Bill Owen, Brigit Forsyth, Anita Carey, Terry Scully, Constantine Gregory
Episode 2
Terry is off his beer and making midnight visits to Bob's house to discuss the meaning and mystery of life - could this be love?
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Noel Dyson, Brigit Forsyth, Pamela Conway, Norman Mitchell, Anita Carey
Episode 3
Bob's married life promises work, worry and wallpapering. Terry wastes the days away in the pub and the bookies, as happy as ever. Bob wonders who has the right answer.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Julian Holloway, Vicki Michelle, Brigit Forsyth, Elizabeth Lax, Pamela Conway, Jacquie-Ann Carr
Episode 4
According to Bob and Shakespeare, 'wine is a gentle stimulant and good companion' and so is Terry on the night Bob gets breathalyzed.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Brigit Forsyth, Norman Mitchell, Gertan Klauber, Robert Gillespie, James Mellor, Leonard Maguire, Michael Beint, Phil McCall
Episode 5
Bob and Terry argue about fitness over a pint and challenge each other to a cross-country cycle race to see who's the fittest.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Sheila Fearn, Sean Flanagan, Pamela Conway, Bert Palmer, Roy Pattison, Patti Dalton
Episode 6
Terry suggests he look after the house when Bob and Thelma go away to Scotland for the weekend. Bob is reluctant at first, but agrees to hand over the keys when Terry promises to do some much-needed DIY. But Terry has an ulterior motive for making such a generous offer.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Tony Haygarth, Sheila Fearn, Brigit Forsyth, Olive Milbourne, Helen Cotterill
Episode 7
Bob is in so much pain from the injury caused by Terry's shoddy DIY that he goes to the hospital. Terry is working there as a porter, a fact he tries to hide from his friend, even going so far as to don a disguise. But his attempts to help Bob only cause him more harm.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Brigit Forsyth, Elizabeth Lax, Claire Nielson, Pamela Duncan, Alan Hockey, Louis Mahoney, Hilda Barry, James Garbutt
Episode 8
Bob takes time off from marriage to join Terry on a quiet weekend's fishing. He's racked by guilt, but he's not the guilty party.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Carole Ann Ford, Bill Owen, Brigit Forsyth, Ann Hamilton
Episode 9
Thelma has gone back to her mother, leaving Bob to bemoan his fate.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Brigit Forsyth, Juliet Aykroyd, Bay White, Rose Power
Episode 10
Thelma has left Bob and is still with her mother, leaving Terry to soothe Bob's furrowed brow. Bob is anxious in case people talk.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Tony Haygarth, Sheila Fearn, Brigit Forsyth, Elizabeth Lax, Juliet Aykroyd, Elisabeth Day, Nova Llewellyn
Episode 11
Bob becomes more and more depressed by Thelma's absence and Terry's housekeeping. Finally, Terry can take no more and leaves him as well.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Sheila Fearn, Brigit Forsyth
Episode 12
When faced with a fight, Terry has a golden rule: 'Do unto others as they would do unto you - but do it first'.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars James Cossins, Alun Armstrong, Brigit Forsyth, Juliet Aykroyd, Maureen Davis, Colin Cunningham, Robin Scobey
Episode 13
The death of disreputable old Uncle Jacob is received by the Collier family with a mixture of regret and relief. The funeral gives Bob an insight into his future.
Directed by Bernard ThompsonWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Sheila Fearn, Eve Pearce, Olive Milbourne, Jack Woolgar, Olive Mercer, Helena McCarthy, Rosalind Bailey
Episode information updated Sep 18, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?.
Rodney BewesBob Ferris
James BolamTerry Collier
Christopher BigginsPodge
Julian HollowayAlan Boyle
Donald GeeVicar
Ronald LaceyErnie
Brian GloverFlint
Tony HaygarthMilkman
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
