Sad news as it was revealed yesterday (21 November 2017) that actor Rodney Bewes died aged 79. He will be best remembered to many as one half of The Likely Lads, with James Bolam making up the other in the popular BBC television comedy series. Set in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England, Bewes played Bob Ferris while Bolam played Terry Collier.
The Likely Lads ran for three series between 1964-66 and was followed by Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? which ran for a further two series between 1973/74. A film followed in 1976 whilst radio versions of the television series were also made.
Rodney Bewes was born in Yorkshire before the family moved to Luton where he grew-up. He appeared in several other roles other than The Likely Lads and even turned up in Doctor Who alongside Peter Davison in 1984.
For me he will always be Bob Ferris, he played the role to perfection and watching Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? never fails to bring a smile to my face. Sadly it had been reported that Bewes and James Bolam fell out over an interview Bewes gave to the press shortly after the release of the film The Likely Lads and had never spoken since. If true this seems a real shame as they had an outstanding onscreen chemistry and I for one would have loved them to have reprised their roles when they were in the their sixties.
Unfortunately not all of The Likely Lads still exists but the good news is Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? is repeated on UK television channels Yesterday / Drama quite often and is also available to purchase on DVD.
I think it’s time for me to revisit Bob & Terry by digging out the DVDs and watching a few episodes.
RIP kidda, you will be missed!
