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Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? cover art

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

By: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Narrated by: Rodney Bewes, full cast, James Bolam
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Summary

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

What listeners say about Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

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Awful, truly awful. Why have they released such a poor quality version of this classic piece of British comedy? The audio in the first section is so inferior it spoils the collection. I can’t listen to it. Waste of money.

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8 people found this helpful

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"ah. Canny one pet"

Will always love the likely lads in any format, strong performance's from both lead actors. The storylines are excellent with bob and terry's lives interweaving. Ideal retrospective gift for Christmas of 1970's life before technology demeaned everything!!!

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7 people found this helpful

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Classic comedy at its best.

Great to be able to hear these episodes. My only gripe is that (so far) there is only a few of them available to hear. It would be great if more were discovered and brought to Audible.

The shows are funny without going too outright too rude or bad language. They still can make a person laugh and they are all the better for it.

I hope Audible increases their listing of classic shows such as these. Hard to bear but easy to listen to. Keep them coming please.

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4 people found this helpful

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Welcome adaptation of original TV show

Lots of fabulous memories from this great series. Shame some of the audio quality isn't up to scratch but it doesn't ruin the fun.

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3 people found this helpful

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A Classic

This is a comedy classic. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing out loud.
If you spent your formative years in the 1970s it will have the added benefit of nostalgia too.
But regardless of your age, good comedy never grows old. I can't recommend this audio book or the TV series enough.

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2 people found this helpful

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Pure delight from the lads Clement and La Frenais.

You simply can't go wrong with the BBC collections on audible. Most of them were radio edits of TV audio but some were Radio recordings. The quality of the writing, performances and recording mean that the intimacy provided by audio means nothing is lost from in transit from the more immediate TV medium.

Being a northern lad these accents made me feel part of society and the fact that Clement and La Frenais totally nailed our sense of humour and way of seeing the world did not go unnoticed. Genius in every respect.

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2 people found this helpful

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BBC Classic

Brings back so many memories, an excellent series.
The sound in the first episode isn't the best, but what can you expect. All the other episodes are fine.
A must for anyone who enjoys classic British comedy.

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2 people found this helpful

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brilliant

takes you back to the good old days when everything seemed more innocent and fun

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2 people found this helpful

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great!

fantastic British comedy. will never get old. a great listen in general. well worth listening to

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1 person found this helpful

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BRILLIANT

Absolutely loved this on Audible, had plenty of laughs, shame it had to end. I would Definately Recommend it.

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