April 16, 2002
Geordie duo Ant and Dec - the new Likely Lads
Likely Lads Ant and Dec came home yesterday to film a tribute to their comedy heroes.
The Geordie duo are to recreate a classic episode of the 1960s comedy The Likely Lads, playing the lead roles of Terry and Bob, in a one-off show, which will be screened next month.
The episode, No Hiding Place, sees Terry and Bob trying to avoid learning the result of an England game.
Ant and Dec arrived in Newcastle for the first day of filming at a tower block on a council estate at Shieldfield.
After flicking through the morning papers, the pair got to work with a crew of about 50 for the first shots.
Cameo appearance
Spokeswoman Fiona Williams said the show is a tribute to the original Likely Lads, James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.
She said: ‘The half-hour special will be a remake of the original episode of the show, which they are great fans of.
’They have always been fans of the show and are really excited about it.’
The duo - real names Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly - are expected to be filming at Pandon Court flats in Shieldfield for two days, finishing with a day in the studio at the end of the week.
Rodney Bewes will make a brief cameo appearance in the remake.
As filming progressed, girls on their way to a local comprehensive school spotted the stars and rushed over for autographs.
Ant and Dec are also rumoured to be lined up to star in a TV remake of the 1960s movie the Odd Couple, which starred Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
The former stars of Byker Grove have had the best possible preparation for the roles. They shared a flat in Fulham when they first moved to London from Newcastle, in 1995.
So that's what happened to the Likely Lads!
February 21, 2002
They're cheeky, football-daft and like their women and beer - so who better to play the 21st century Likely Lads than Geordie duo Ant and Dec?
The TV presenters are to star in a remake of a classic episode of the much loved sitcom from the 1960s and 70s The Likely Lads.
Ant McPartlin is to take the role of Terry Collier, made famous by James Bolam, while Declan Donnelly will star as the Rodney Bewes character, Bob Ferris.
Ant said: ‘When Dec and I first moved to London and shared a flat, we had Likely Lads nights. We've been fans all our lives.’
The pair, both 26, first appeared on TV screens in Byker Grove. They will remake the 1973 episode No Hiding Place in which Terry and Bob spend a day trying to avoid hearing an England football score.
Original star Rodney Bewes, now 64, appears in a cameo role in the show. He said: ‘I couldn't miss this - it's a very clever idea.
‘My appearance is a bit tongue-in-cheek, and the thought of it amuses me.’
The sitcom and its sequel, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? Ran on BBC One from 1964 to 1973, attracting audiences of up to 27 million. The shows were written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
and
read on
Have your say!
read on
By Jim Charles, Dover, New Hampshire, USA, formerly of Birtley
Argggghhhhhhhhh! They are going to do what with the Likely Lads . . . 'By the Cringe, Bob!' There is no way, those two could be the Likely Lads! They are personable enough, but just not quite good enough. Mind I am biased. Me and my mate Jim were looked on as the Likely Lads once. Maybe they should have done an apprenticeship with the lads of Auf Weidersehen Pet to get a bit of a more mature Geordie Outlook??? Leave well enough alone, please . . . . or am I getting old now? read on
Do you have views on this subject? Click on the link below to write to me and share them!
Write to Sue
Read more:
21-02-02
So that's what happened to the Likely Lads!
read on
Your comments
read on
By Jim Charles
read on
Have your say!
Do you have views on this subject? Click on the link below to write to me and share them!
read on
Buy Likely Lads videos from Amazon
read on
Copyright (c) 2000-2002 Sue Kelly