"Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?" is a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 from January 1973 to April 1974 as a colour sequel to the original 1960s black-and-white series "The Likely Lads"
. The show follows the lives of two working-class friends, Bob and Terry, who reunite after five years apart. Terry has just returned from the army and struggles to adjust to the changes in Newcastle and in his friendship with Bob, who is now engaged and aspiring to a more middle-class lifestyle
. The series consists of two seasons with a total of 27 episodes, plus a special Christmas edition in 1974. It explores themes of friendship, social change, and the challenges of growing up and moving on. The dynamic between Bob and Terry is marked by their differing ambitions and temperaments, with Bob looking down on Terry's lack of ambition, while Terry sees himself as morally superior to Bob's desire for social advancement
. After the TV series, some episodes were adapted for radio with the original cast, and the show also inspired a spin-off feature film titled "The Likely Lads" in 1976
. The series is remembered as a rare example of a show that picks up directly where its predecessor left off, offering a more wistful and mature look at its characters' lives
. In summary, "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?" continued the story of Bob and Terry's friendship in the early 1970s, highlighting their personal growth and the social changes of the time, before concluding in 1974 with a legacy that includes radio adaptations and a feature film
