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
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Brigit Forsyth, Deirdre Costello, James Mellor, Angelique Ashly
Episode 2
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Sheila Fearn, Brigit Forsyth, Derek Etchells
Episode 3
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Donald Gee, Sheila Fearn, Brigit Forsyth, John Barrett, Shay Gorman, Roy Denton
Episode 4
Appalled by the changes in Newcastle, Terry considers leaving to get a job in Berwick. Meanwhile, his friend's wanderlust sets Bob thinking.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Ronald Lacey, Sheila Fearn, Effie Morrison, Elizabeth Lax, Iain Blair
Episode 5
Terry tries to track down some of his old flames, but probing into the past produces embarrassing results.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Brigit Forsyth, Margaret Nolan, Sandra Bryant, Norman Mitchell, Pamela Conway
Episode 6
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Christopher Biggins, Brigit Forsyth, Derek Etchells, Sandra Downs, Michael Ralph, Norman Mitchell, Shirley Steedman, Elissa Derwent
Episode 7
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?
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Donald Gee, Brian Glover, Sheila Fearn, Corbet Woodall, Pamela Conway, Bernard Douglas, Brian Godfrey, Katy Allan
Episode 8
Bob thinks Terry needs new friends, but inviting him to Alan and Brenda's trendy dinner party might not be such a great idea.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Julian Holloway, Sheila Fearn, Brigit Forsyth, Olive Milbourne, Jacquie-Ann Carr
Episode 9
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Donald Gee, Robert Gillespie, Brigit Forsyth, Michael Stainton, John Owens
Episode 10
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Anita Carey, Brenda Cavendish, Barbara Ogilvie, Gertan Klauber
Episode 11
Mrs Chambers has grandiose plans for Thelma's wedding to Bob that leaves the men feeling overwhelmed, so they decide to rebel.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Bill Owen, Joan Hickson, Brigit Forsyth, Pamela Conway, Anita Carey, Robin Parkinson
Episode 12
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Michael Stainton, Robert Gillespie
Episode 13
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.
Directed by James GilbertWritten by Dick Clement, Ian La FrenaisGuest stars Christopher Biggins, Sheila Fearn, Bill Owen, Joan Hickson, Brigit Forsyth, Anita Carey, Barbara Ogilvie, Daphne Heard
Episode information updated Sep 16, 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
