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DICK CLEMENT & IAN LA FRENAIS - THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 (320kbs-m4a/523mb/3hrs47mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 24th October to 12th December 2025
Starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.
Created and written for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Adapted for BBC Radio by James Bolam.
Producer: John Browell
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 1. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 24th October 2025
Terry's grandad causes problems for Bob when he moves into the neighbourhood.
The parents of Bob's new girlfriend are not impressed...
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Grandad .... Bert Palmer
Mrs Perrin .... Noel Dyson
Mr Perrin .... Glenn Melvyn
Lorna .... Angela Lovell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1968.
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Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle for returning the audio to the BBC.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 2. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE (320kbs-m4a/66mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 14th November 2025
Bob is always conscious of the fact that he was A-stream at school, whereas Terry would have been X-stream if they'd had one.
So, it's no surprise that Bob takes a chance on a transfer to the drawing department whilst Terry remains put...
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Judith .... Anneke Wills
Sally Ann .... Didi Sullivan
Cloughie .... Bartlett Mullins
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Blakey / Roger .... Richard Moore
Nesbit .... Michael Sheard
Holgate .... Eric Dodson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1968.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 3. ENTENTE CORDIALE (320kbs-m4a/66mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 31st October 2025
Ooh la la! Bob and Terry return home from their first trip abroad.
They may have been to Spain, but it's a certain mademoiselle who causes a stir between them…
Bob .... Rodney Bewes
Terry .... James Bolam
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Cloughy .... Bartlett Mullins
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Louise .... Christine Collins
Colette .... Bettine Le Beau
Waitress .... Joan Pickering
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1968.
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Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle for returning the audio to the BBC.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 4. DOUBLE DATE (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 21st November 2025
Bob is heartbroken over Felicity, but Terry persuades him to go on a double-date with Deirdre and Pat, who they meet in a coffee shop.
As the lads plan their night out, the women are also discussing the evening ahead.
Terry .... James Bolam
Bob .... Rodney Bewes
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Deirdre .... Dilys Watling
Pat .... Susan Jameson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
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Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle for returning the audio to the BBC.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 5. LOVE AND MARRIAGE (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 28th November 2025
Some thoughtful gestures end up backfiring for Bob and for Terry.
Terry .... James Bolam
Bob .... Rodney Bewes
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Cloughy .... Bartlett Mullins
Helen .... Helen Fraser
Duggie .... Derek Newark
Mrs Foster .... Doris Rogers
Archie .... Roger Avon
Podge .... Geoffrey Hughes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
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Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle for returning the audio to the BBC.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 6. BRIEF ENCOUNTER (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th December 2025
Bob and Terry discover that they have very similar tastes in women.
Bob .... Rodney Bewes
Terry .... James Bolam
Ursula ... Isobel Black
Cloughie..... Bartlett Mullins
Jack ..... Donald McKillop
Other female parts .... Jennifer Croxton
Other male parts .... Peter Hawkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 7. THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 7th November 2025
On yet another wet and miserable North East night, Bob and Terry are offered the chance of making a fresh start Down Under.
Terry .... James Bolam
Bob .... Rodney Bewes
Wally Ralph .... Barry Linehan
Cecily .... Veronica Lang
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Cloughie .... Bartlett Mullins
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Blakey .... George Layton
Sergeant Jeffcock .... Garfield Morgan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 2 - 8. GOODBYE TO ALL THAT (320kbs-m4a/66mb/29mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 12th December 2025
When a friend returns to the North East with exciting tales of travel with the Army, Bob mulls over his future.
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Mrs Ferris .... Irene Richmond
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Cloughy .... Bartlett Mullins
George .... Melvyn Hayes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1968.
DICK CLEMENT & IAN LA FRENAIS - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? (320kbs-m4a/824mb/5hrs57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 18th April to 11th July 2022
Starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.
Created and scripted for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July/August/September/October 1975.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 1. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 18th April 2022
Best mates Bob and Terry haven't spoken for 7 years.
So there's a lot to catch up on when they bump into each other on a train heading back north.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry Collier ...... James Bolam
Bob Ferris ...... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers ...... Brigit Forsyth
Lady on Train ...... Lois Daine
Barman ...... Peter Whitman
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was provided by BBC producer Stan Was.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 2. HOME IS THE HERO (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 25th April 2022
Bob's fiancee Thelma is appalled by the return of Terry to his home town after seven years.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry ...... James Bolam
Bob ...... Rodney Bewes
Thelma ...... Brigit Forsyth
Audrey ...... Sheila Fearn
Stan ...... Peter Whitman
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in the BBC's Archive Treasure Hunt in 2003.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 3. COLD FEET (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd May 2022
Bob gets the jitters over marrying his fiancée, Thelma.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers .... Brigit Forsyth
with Sheila Fearn and Michael Segal.
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in the BBC's Archive Treasure Hunt in 2003.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 4. MOVING ON (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th May 2022
A trip down memory lane proves to be eventful for Terry and Bob.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers .... Brigit Forsyth
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Ernie .... Michael Segal
Hughie/Houseowner .... John Samson
Wendy .... Corrina Marlowe
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was provided by BBC producer Stan Was.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 5. I'LL NEVER FORGET WHATSHERNAME (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 16th May 2022
Bob asks his fiancée, Thelma, to fix Terry up with a date.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry .... James Bolam
Bob .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma .... Brigit Forsyth
Jackie .... Lois Daine
Barmaid .... Lorna Wilde
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 6. BIRTHDAY BOY (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 23rd May 2022
Bob bungles a surprise birthday party for Terry.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers .... Brigit Forsyth
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Colin .... Colin Jeavons
Podge .... Geoffrey Hughes
Clare/Mary .... Elissa Derwent
Debra/Janet .... Shirley Steedman
Wally .... Michael Ralph
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 7. NO HIDING PLACE (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th May 2022
On the day of a big England football match, Bob takes Terry to the hairdressers for a long overdue restyle.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Flint .... George Layton
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Gary .... Brian Godfrey
The Vicar .... Donald Gee
Rita/The Barmaid .... Jo Beadle
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 8. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (320kbs-m4a/63mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th June 2022
Terry is not keen to meet any of Bob's snobbish friends.
Adapted for BBC Radio by Patrick Tilley.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers .... Brigit Forsyth
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Alan .... Julian Holloway
Brenda .... Gretta Gouriet
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 9. STORM IN A TEA CHEST (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 13th June 2022
Bob and Terry take a trip down memory lane.
Adapted for BBC Radio by John Browell.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers .... Brigit Forsyth
Police Sergeant .... Robert Gillespie
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 10. THE OLD MAGIC (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 20th June 2022
Poorly Terry gets some shock news from Bob.
Adapted for BBC Radio by John Browell.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Susan Chambers .... Anita Carey
Mrs Ferris .... Barbara Ogilvie
Norma .... Brenda Cavendish
Waiter .... Anthony Smee
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 11. COUNT DOWN (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 27th June 2022
Terry helps stressed Bob prepare for his wedding to Thelma.
Adapted for BBC Radio by John Browell.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma Chambers .... Brigit Forsyth
Mrs Chambers .... Jo Hickson
Mr Chambers .... Bill Owen
Susan .... Anita Carey
Shop Assistant .... Robin Parkinson
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 12. BOYS' NIGHT IN (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th July 2022
On the eve of Bob's marriage to Thelma, Terry's in despair over the plans for the stag night.
Adapted for BBC Radio by John Browell.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Policeman .... Michael Stainton
Audio recovered from a BBC Treasure Hunt.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LIKELY LADS? - 13. END OF AN ERA (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 11th July 2022
It's Bob and Thelma's big day - and he's on tranquilisers!
Adapted for BBC Radio by John Browell.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Thelma .... Brigit Forsyth
Audrey …. Sheila Fearn
Susan Chambers .... Anita Carey
Mrs Chambers .... Joan Hickson
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Mrs Ferris .... Barbara Ogilvie
Aunt Beattie .... Daphne Heard
Audio recovered from a BBC listener.
DICK CLEMENT & IAN LA FRENAIS - THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 (320kbs-m4a/534mb/3hrs52mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 21st January to 10th March 2025
Starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.
Created and written for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Adapted for BBC Radio by James Bolam.
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme in August/September 1967.
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 1. WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? (320kbs-m4a/68mb/30mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 21st January 2025
Terry and Bob attend a wedding and realise they're now the only unmarried men they know.
While many of their acquaintances have settled down, they both struggle to change their ways...
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Vicar/Uncle Walter .... John Cazabon
Betty Hardy .... Aunt Peggy
Cyril .... Leroy Lingwood
The Likely Birds .... Carol Marsh / Rosalind Shanks
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 2. THE SUITOR (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 29th January 2025
Terry enlists Bob’s help to try and get rid of his sister’s Italian boyfriend.
He formulates a plan involving a trip to the pub...
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Mrs Collier .... Olive Milbourne
Mario the boyfriend .... George Layton
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 3. THE ROCKER (320kbs-m4a/68mb/29mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th February 2025
Bob buys a moped in the hope that it will give him a cool image and impress the girls.
But things don't quite go plan...
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Garage Salesman .... Reginald Jessup
Carol .... Rosalind Shanks
The Nurse .... Cheryl Molineaux
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 4. OLDER WOMEN ARE MORE EXPERIENCED (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 11th February 2025
The new canteen manageress is Terry's latest object of desire.
Bob also has a date lined up, but with a much younger woman.
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Mrs Windsor .... Rhoda Lewis
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Mr Clough .... Bartlett Mullins
Elsie .... Madeleine Mills
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 5. BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE (320kbs-m4a/68mb/30mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 18th February 2025
Terry and Bob meet a couple of nurses and plan a double date.
When they have nowhere to take them, they offer to babysit for colleague Jack, to take advantage of his flat.
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Margaret .... Dorothy White
Rose .... Kate Story
June .... Janet Kelly
Jane .... Shirley Jaffe
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 6. OUTWARD BOUND (320kbs-m4a/66mb/29mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 24th February 2025
Terry has to overcome his fear of the countryside when they organise a holiday weekend up the coast.
But things don't go to plan and they're forced to camp.
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Scoutmaster .... Peter Hawkins
Postmistress .... Kathleen Helme
Valerie .... Janet Kelly
Susan .... Kate Story
Lorry Driver .... David Brierley
Jack .... Donald McKillop
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 7. THE TALK OF THE TOWN (320kbs-m4a/68mb/30mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd March 2025
All eyes are on Bob when he takes Thelma to a boozy engagement party.
What did they get up to?
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Jack .... Donald McKillop
Cloughy.... John Henderson
Audrey .... Sheila Fearn
Mum .... Kathleen Helme
Elsie .... Madeleine Mills
Thelma .... Susan Jameson
Duggie .... Michael Kilgarriff
Blakey .... Douglas Hankin
THE LIKELY LADS: SERIES 1 - 8. ANCHORS AWEIGH (320kbs-m4a/69mb/30mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 10th March 2025
Bob persuades Terry to go on a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads.
But will he be pleased when Terry finds romance?
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Mum .... Julie May
Sally .... Sara Kestelman
Denise .... Madeleine Mills
Sam .... Wilfrid Carter
DICK CLEMENT & IAN LA FRENAIS - LENNON: A WEEK IN THE LIFE (320kbs-m4a/101mb/44mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st June 2023
December, 1980: When just 40 people turn up to John Lennon's memorial service in Liverpool, his old pal and promoter Sam Leach is forced to act.
A true story with a huge heart.
The play draws together fragments of reportage from the time, interviews with Lennon himself, the true story of Sam Leach, the Beatles' first promoter and some of the greatest music of the 20th century.
It's all combined with the fictional stories of two lost young people whose lives were transformed by the concert, and Liverpool's own Billy Butler, recreating his earlier self, to create a joyous celebration of life, music and community.
Starring Tony Maudsley.
Written by Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais.
Adapted by Lizzie Nunnery.
Sam Leach ...... Tony Maudsley
Joan Leach ...... Joanna Monro
Debbie Leach ...... Lauren O'Neil
Janine Hobday ...... Laura dos Santos
Morris Tate ...... Bruce Alexander
Clive Inch ...... Craige Els
Kenny Stratton ...... John Shortell
Carol Stratton ...... Alison Pettitt
Billy Butler ...... Billy Butler
Traynor ...... John Biggins
Jonesy ...... David Seddon
Homeless man ...... Rufus Wright
Wooldridge ...... Nigel Hastings
Director: Jessica Dromgoole.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
*** Broadcast as part of 4 Extra's Fab 4 season marking the 60th anniversary of the Beatles first universal chart number 1, From Me To You, in May 1963.