Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Complete BBC Radio Series

By: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais

Narrated by: Rodney Bewes, full cast, James Bolam

Thirteen classic BBC radio episodes starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.

One of the most popular TV comedies of the 70s, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? won a best sitcom BAFTA and attracted an audience of millions before being adapted for radio.

In these 13 episodes, we catch up with Newcastle lads Bob and Terry as they meet by chance after years apart. Now engaged to Thelma, Bob is having prewedding nerves while Terry, demobbed from the army, is having trouble adjusting to life in civvy street.

As they rekindle their friendship, Bob tries to find Terry a date, throws him a surprise party and takes him to the hairdresser's to get a new look. In addition, Terry gets some shock news and helps Bob get ready for his and Thelma's big day....

Originally lost from the BBC archive, the audio for many of these episodes was recovered by producer Stan Was, the BBC's Archive Treasure Hunt and a BBC7 listener.

The episodes included are 'Strangers on a Train', 'Home Is the Hero', 'Cold Feet', 'Moving On', 'I'll Never Forget Whatshername', 'Birthday Boy', 'No Hiding Place', 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?', 'Storm in a Tea Chest', 'The Old Magic', 'Count Down', 'Boys' Night In' and 'End of an Era'.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Sharp, fast-paced, muddy sound

This is the radio series made from the color series, a 1970s sequel to a 1960s show.
The sound is not as crisp in British recordings as it is in American recordings.