Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? Episode Rating Graph
Jan 1973 - Apr 1974
6.2
Click the chart for info!
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.
Best Episodes of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
No Hiding Place
S1 Ep7
8.6
20th Feb 1973
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?
End of An Era
S1 Ep13
8.3
3rd Apr 1973
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.
Conduct Unbecoming
S2 Ep12
8.3
2nd Apr 1974
When faced with a fight, Terry has a golden rule: 'Do unto others as they would do unto you - but do it first'.
The Great Race
S2 Ep5
8.2
5th Feb 1974
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.
Some Day We'll Laugh About All This
S2 Ep6
8.0
19th Feb 1974
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.
Storm In a Tea Chest
S1 Ep9
7.9
6th Mar 1973
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.
In Harm's Way
S2 Ep7
7.8
26th Feb 1974
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.
The Shape of Things to Come
S2 Ep13
7.7
9th Apr 1974
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.
Worst Episodes of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
The Old Magic
S1 Ep10
6.8
13th Mar 1973
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.
The Expert
S2 Ep9
6.8
12th Mar 1974
Thelma has gone back to her mother, leaving Bob to bemoan his fate.
Between Ourselves
S2 Ep10
6.8
19th Mar 1974
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.
Affairs and Relations
S2 Ep8
6.9
5th Mar 1974
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.
Home is the Hero
S1 Ep2
7.0
16th Jan 1973
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.
The Go-Between
S2 Ep11
7.0
26th Mar 1974
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.
Strangers On A Train
S1 Ep1
7.1
9th Jan 1973
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.
Moving On
S1 Ep4
7.1
30th Jan 1973
Appalled by the changes in Newcastle, Terry considers leaving to get a job in Berwick. Meanwhile, his friend's wanderlust sets Bob thinking.
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? Episode Guide
Strangers On A Train
S1 Ep1
7.1
9th Jan 1973
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
S1 Ep2
7.0
16th Jan 1973
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
S1 Ep3
7.5
23rd Jan 1973
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
S1 Ep4
7.1
30th Jan 1973
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
S1 Ep5
7.4
6th Feb 1973
Terry tries to track down some of his old flames, but probing into the past produces embarrassing results.
Birthday Boy
S1 Ep6
7.1
13th Feb 1973
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
S1 Ep7
8.6
20th Feb 1973
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?
S1 Ep8
7.4
27th Feb 1973
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
S1 Ep9
7.9
6th Mar 1973
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
S1 Ep10
6.8
13th Mar 1973
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
S1 Ep11
7.2
20th Mar 1973
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
S1 Ep12
7.5
27th Mar 1973
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
S1 Ep13
8.3
3rd Apr 1973
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.
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