The Likely Lads is a British sitcom created and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and produced by Dick Clement. Twenty-one episodes were broadcast by the BBC, in three series, between 16 December 1964 and 23 July 1966, but only ten of these episodes have survived.
This show was followed by a sequel series, in colour, entitled Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, broadcast between 9 January 1973 and 24 December 1974. This was followed in 1976 by a spin-off feature film The Likely Lads.
Some episodes of both the original black and white series and the colour sequel were adapted for BBC radio with the original television cast.
Premise The original show followed the friendship of two young working class men, Terry Collier (James Bolam) and Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes), in the mid-1960s. Bob and Terry are assumed to be in their early 20s (when their ages are revealed in the later film, this puts both characters at around 20 when the series started).
After growing up at school and in the Scouts together, Bob and Terry are working in the same factory, Ellison's Electrical, alongside the older, wiser duo of Cloughie and Jack. The show's humour derived largely from the tensions between Terry's cynical, everyman, working class personality and Bob's ambition to better himself and move to the middle class.
Bob and Terry are two average working class lads growing up (despite Bob's very West Yorkshire accent) in the industrial North East, whose hobbies are beer, football and girls. They are street-wise, yet they stumble into one scrape after another as they struggle to enjoy the Swinging Sixties on their meagre incomes.
At the end of the third and final series in 1966, a depressed and bored Bob attempts to join the Army but is rejected because of his flat feet. Terry, who decides at the last minute to enlist to keep Bob company, is accepted and shipped away for three years.
It was gradually revealed that Terry and Bob's full names are Terence Daniel Collier and Robert Andrew Scarborough Ferris (Scarborough not revealed until the 1970s colour series). According to the later feature film, made in 1976, both Lads were conceived during the same wartime air raid and were thus born in the same year, 1944.
Although in the colour sequel much is made of Thelma, who is said to have been Bob's childhood sweetheart, she had appeared only once in the original show, in which Bob has no steady girlfriend and is forever seeking one, though Thelma is mentioned in some episodes in series three, including "Rocker" and "Goodbye to All That".
Cast James Bolam as Terry Collier Rodney Bewes as Bob Ferris Brigit Forsyth as Thelma Chambers Sheila Fearn as Audrey Collier, Terry's older sister Bartlett Mullins as Cloughie, a workmate Don McKillop as Jack, another workmate Olive Milbourne as Mrs Edith Collier, Terry and Audrey's mother Alex McDonald as Mr Cyril Collier, Terry and Audrey's dad Irene Richmond as Mrs Alice Ferris, Bob's mother Richard Moore as Blakey
Guest stars included George Layton, Garfield Morgan, Wendy Richard, Wanda Ventham, Susan Jameson (the real-life wife of James Bolam), Michael Sheard, Nerys Hughes, Geoffrey Hughes, Helen Fraser and Tony Caunter.
Episodes Only eleven episodes survive (as film telerecordings) in the BBC's archives, as a result of its wiping policy of the time. However, the BBC Archive Treasure Hunt, a public campaign, continues to search for missing episodes. Of the ten remaining lost episodes, only 'The Razor's Edge' was not recorded as part of the radio adaptation series.
Series 1 (1964–65) TitleAirdateDescriptionNotesEntente Cordiale16 December 1964The lads return home from their first foreign holiday, pursued by a girl they met in Spain.Double Date23 December 1964A lovelorn Bob is cheered up by a double date.Guest stars:Susan JamesonCoral Atkins.Christmas Night with the Stars sketch25 December 1964At Christmas Terry and Bob make a bet on which characters appeared in a Rupert Bear annual.Older Women Are More Experienced30 December 1964Terry finds an older girlfriend and Bob finds a younger one.Other Side of the Fence6 January 1965Bob is offered a better job, in management.Guest stars:Michael SheardAnneke WillsChance of a Lifetime13 January 1965The lads are offered the chance to emigrate to Australia. Missing – re-made as radio adaptation An audio recording of the episode exists.Guest star:Garfield MorganThe Suitor20 January 1965Terry enlists Bob's help to try to get rid of his sister's Italian boyfriend.Guest star:George Layton
Series 2 (1965) TitleAirdateDescriptionNotesBaby, It's Cold Outside16 June 1965 The lads have a double date arranged but nowhere they can take the girls afterwards. Missing – re-made as radio adaptationA Star Is Born23 June 1965The lads compete in a pub talent night Previously missing, recovered in 2018Talk of the Town30 June 1965Bob's engagement to Thelma becomes the talk of the town, but is news to Bob. Missing – re-made as radio adaptation. An audio recording of the episode exists.Guest stars:Helen FraserIrene RichmondThe Last of the Big Spenders7 July 1965The lads take two London girls out on the town.Previously missing, recovered in 2001Wendy RichardWanda VenthamMichael SheardFar Away Places14 July 1965The lads plan another foreign holiday but have trouble raising the money for it. Previously missing, recovered in 2018Where Have All the Flowers Gone?21 July 1965The lads attend a friend's wedding and realise that they are now the only unmarried men they know. Missing – re-made as radio adaptation Guest star:George Layton
Series 3 (1966) TitleAirdateDescriptionNotesOutward Bound4 June 1966The lads go camping, planning to end up at a campsite notorious for hippy love-ins. Missing – re-made as radio adaptationGuest star: Nerys HughesFriends and Neighbours11 June 1966Bob is caught in the middle when Terry's granddad starts a feud with Bob's next-door neighbours, whose daughter is Bob's new girlfriend. Missing – re-made as radio adaptation An audio recording of the episode exists.Rocker18 June 1966Bob buys a moped and Terry ends up in hospital.Brief Encounter25 June 1966Unbeknownst to each other Bob and Terry are both dating the same girl. Missing – re-made as radio adaptation (re-titled "Their Hearts Were Touched By Ursula") An audio recording of the episode exists.The Razor's Edge2 July 1966Bob grows a beard, which causes him trouble at work. When Terry tries to defend him things go from bad to worse. Missing – An audio recording of the episode exists.Guest stars:Geoffrey HughesIrene RichmondAnchors Aweigh9 July 1966The lads take a boating holiday together on the Norfolk Broads, despite Terry's deep mistrust of boats. Missing – re-made as radio adaptation An audio recording of the episode exists.Love and Marriage16 July 1966The lads are invited on a stag night. Missing – re-made as radio adaptationGuest stars:Helen FraserGeoffrey HughesGoodbye to All That23 July 1966Bob joins the army and Terry, finding life lonely on his own, decides to join up too. Guest stars:Irene RichmondTony Caunter
Christmas Night with the Stars Additionally, an eight-minute episode of The Likely Lads was broadcast on 25 December 1964, as part of a 90-minute Christmas Day special on BBC 1 called Christmas Night with the Stars 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., in which Bob and Terry have an argument over Bob's encyclopaedic knowledge of "Rupert Bear" Annuals ("It was Edward Trunk!"). This recording still exists in the BBC Broadcast Archive. An edited version, which included 'The Likely Lads' sketch, was screened on BBC2 over Christmas 1991.
Radio adaptations Sixteen of the television scripts were adapted for radio by James Bolam, and broadcast in two series during 1967 and 1968.
Produced by John Browell, the radio adaptations were recorded at the Paris Studios in Lower Regent Street, London using the original television cast (although some minor parts had to be recast for some episodes, where the original actor was unavailable). As of January 2025, BBC Radio 4 Extra started broadcasting the first series only for the first time on that station.
Series 1 TitleAirdateCastNotes1. Where Have All the Flowers Gone?6 August 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Mrs Collier – Olive Milbourne Vicar, Uncle Walter – John Cazabon Auntie Peggy – Betty Hardy Cyril – Le Roy Lingwood Elaine – Carol Marsh Beryl – Rosalind ShanksSeries 1 was broadcast on the BBC Light Programme2. The Suitor13 August 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Mrs Collier – Olive Milbourne Mario – George Layton3. Rocker20 August 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Motor Salesman – Reginald Jessup Nurse – Cheryl Molineaux Carol – Rosalind Shanks4. Older Women Are More Experienced27 August 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Mrs Winsor – Rhoda Lewis Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Bartlett Mullins Sheila, Elsie – Madeleine Mills5. Baby, It's Cold Outside3 September 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Jack – Donald McKillop Margaret – Dorothy White Jane, Baby – Shirley Jaffe Rose – Kate Story June – Janet Kelly6. Outward Bound10 September 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam The Scoutmaster – Peter Hawkins The Postmistress – Kathleen Helme Jack – Donald McKillop Valerie – Janet Kelly Susan – Kate Story Cafe Proprietor, Lorry Driver – David Brierly7. The Talk of the Town17 September 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – John Henderson Audrey – Sheila Fearn Mrs Ferris – Kathleen Helme Elsie – Madeleine Mills Thelma – Susan Jameson Big Duggie – Michael Kilgarriff Blakey – Douglas HankinThe part of Cloughy was recast this week, as Bartlett Mullins was not available. The part of Thelma was also recast, with Susan Jameson playing the role on this occasion. She had previously appeared in the television series as a different character, in the episode "Double Date".8. Anchors Aweigh24 September 1967Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Mum – Julie May Sally – Sara Kestelman Denise – Madeleine Mills Sam – Wilfred Carter
Series 2 TitleAirdateCastNotes1. Friends and Neighbours19 May 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Granddad – Bert Palmer Mrs Perrin – Noel Dyson Mr Perrin – Glenn Melvyn Lorna Perrin – Angela LovellSeries 2 was broadcast on BBC Radio 22. The Other Side of the Fence26 May 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Bartlett Mullins Blakey, Roger – Richard Moore Nesbit – Michael Sheard Holgate – Eric Dodson Judith – Anneke Wills Sally Anne – Didi Sullivan3. Entente Cordiale2 June 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Mrs Collier – Olive Milbourne Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Erik Chitty Louise, Waitress – Anna Gilchrist Colette – Bettina Le BeauThe part of Cloughy was recast this week, as Bartlett Mullins was not available4. Double Date9 June 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Deirdre – Dilys Watling Pat – Susan Jameson5. Love and Marriage16 June 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Bartlett Mullins Duggie – Derek Newark Helen – Helen Fraser Archie – Roger Avon Podge – Geoffrey Hughes Mrs Foster – Doris Rogers6. Their Hearts Were Touched by Ursula23 June 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Ursula – Isobel Black Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Bartlett Mullins All other female parts – Jennifer Croxton All other male parts – Peter HawkinsAn adaptation of the television episode Brief Encounter7. Chance of a Lifetime30 June 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Sgt Jeffcock – Garfield Morgan Ralph – Barry Linehan Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Bartlett Mullins Cecile – Veronica Lang Blakey – George Layton8. Goodbye to all That7 July 1968Bob – Rodney Bewes Terry – James Bolam Audrey – Sheila Fearn Jack – Donald McKillop Cloughy – Bartlett Mullins Mrs Collier – Olive Milbourne