the past?
Sad news that actor Rodney Bewes has died aged 79.
Bewes was in a number of TV shows and films over his career but he’ll always be thought as Bob Ferris in “The Likely Lads” and more “Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?”. Well the BBC in their wisdom wiped all but 8 of the original series 20 episodes, while the sequel’s 27 episodes and film still survive and are thankfully show fairly regularly.
Thankfully because it’s one of the great sitcoms of the golden era of British sitcoms. It’s up there with the likes of Porridge – another Clement and La Frenais classic – and Rising Damp. Hell, the film gets bad reviews when it’s on but it’s still a cracker with some great lines.
Much talk of the “feud” with his co-star, James Bolam, who said it didn’t happen but while Bewes seemed to disappear from the screen Bolam had some great success. Recently watched “When The Boat Comes In” – best British thing I’ve seen on telly all year – in which he was brilliant as Jack Ford, while the Beiderbecke series are always a good watch.
But whatever happened Bewes and Bolam will always be linked as Bob and Terry.
Oh, what happened to you?
Whatever happened to me?
What became of the people we used to be?