The Likely Lads
“Emotion blazes across the big screen as Bob and Terry knock down the frontiers of human knowledge and Newcastle ale.”
Synopsis
With the destruction of their previous neighbourhood has inevitably come the destruction of the lads’ favoured watering hole The Fat Ox. Again, it’s Bob rather than Terry who is visibly distressed by this. Upset and much the worse for free alcohol, Bob then storms into the library to seek sympathy from Thelma - who is, predictably, unimpressed. So when Thelma finds out that Terry has been getting semi-serious with glamorous Finnish shop assistant Chris, she takes it upon herself to try and pair them off for good via planning first a dinner party and then that mainstay of 70s comedy, a camping expedition. Of course, things don’t go quite according to plan and before you can say ‘I can see the way this is going’ we are set up for japes, larks and embarrassing incidents aplenty, which culminate in the lads getting rather fed up with their partners’ attempts to inflict the rugged outdoor lifestyle upon them and trying to hitch up and drive off with the girls still asleep in the caravan.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
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The Likely Lads (1976) - the chocolate box of life
Type: Clip • Published 2016-05-21
Top Cast
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James Bolam
Terry
Rodney Bewes
Bob
Brigit Forsyth
Thelma
Mary Tamm
Christina
Sheila Fearn
Audrey
Zena Walker
Laura
Alun Armstrong
Tommy
Judy Buxton
Iris
Vicki Michelle
Glenys
Michelle Newell
Alice
Penny Irving
Sandy
Susan Tracy
Edith
Gordon Griffin
Cyril
Edward Wilson
Les
Ronald Lacey
Ernie
Elizabeth Lax
Wendy
Linda Robson
Marsha
Ian McDiarmid
Vicar
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Michael Tuchner
- Screenplay & Story
- Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
- Original Title
- The Likely Lads
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Production Studios
- EMI Films, Anglo-EMI
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Michael Tuchner
Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Department Leadership Roster
Michael Tuchner
Director
Dick Clement
Writer
Ian La Frenais
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
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Featured In Curated Collections
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05, Comedy
Missing Mine
2025
British Nostalgia
Digital Film Vault
Films [HD]---[L]
CLASSIC COMEDY
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Likely Lads
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Likely Lads about?
With the destruction of their previous neighbourhood has inevitably come the destruction of the lads’ favoured watering hole The Fat Ox. Again, it’s Bob rather than Terry who is visibly distressed by this. Upset and much the worse for free alcohol, Bob then storms into the library to seek sympathy from Thelma - who is, predictably, unimpressed. So when Thelma finds out that Terry has been getting semi-serious with glamorous Finnish shop assistant Chris, she takes it upon herself to try and pair them off for good via planning first a dinner party and then that mainstay of 70s comedy, a camping expedition. Of course, things don’t go quite according to plan and before you can say ‘I can see the way this is going’ we are set up for japes, larks and embarrassing incidents aplenty, which culminate in the lads getting rather fed up with their partners’ attempts to inflict the rugged outdoor lifestyle upon them and trying to hitch up and drive off with the girls still asleep in the caravan.
Who directed The Likely Lads?
The Likely Lads was directed by Michael Tuchner.
Who stars in The Likely Lads?
The principal cast of The Likely Lads includes James Bolam, Rodney Bewes, Brigit Forsyth, Mary Tamm, Sheila Fearn.
When was The Likely Lads released and how long is it?
The Likely Lads was released in 1976 with a total runtime of 1h 30m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Likely Lads?
The Likely Lads holds official age classifications: GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.).