Rodney Bewes: The Likely Lads Star and His Feud with Bolam

Few British sitcom duos of the 1960s are as fondly remembered as Bob Ferris and Terry Collier. But the real‑life relationship between the actors who played them – Rodney Bewes and James Bolam – was far more complicated than anything on screen.

Born: 27 November 1937 ·
Died: 21 November 2017 ·
Famous as: Bob Ferris in The Likely Lads ·
Last acting role: 2004 in The Afternoon Play ·
Number of sons: Three (triplets) ·
Known feud with: James Bolam

Bewes, who died in 2017 at age 79, never fully reconciled with his co‑star, and the rift became one of British television’s most talked‑about mysteries. Here’s the story of his life, career, and the unanswered questions that still surround the feud.

Six key facts define the public record of Rodney Bewes:

Why Did Bolam and Bewes Fall Out?

The origins of the rift

For decades the story went that Bewes made a joke about Bolam’s wife at a party, and the two never recovered. According to a Daily Mirror (British tabloid newspaper) article published the day after Bewes’ death, Bolam himself denied there had ever been a feud. “There was no fall‑out at all,” Bolam reportedly said, contradicting years of press speculation.

Alleged cause of the feud

Comedy.co.uk (British comedy news site) later described the relationship as one of the most infamous falling‑outs in British TV comedy history. Yet no single on‑record incident has ever been unanimously confirmed. Bewes himself, in a 2005 interview, expressed regret, saying he wished they had reconciled – but he never publicly specified the trigger.

Impact on their professional relationship

The two co‑stars never worked together again after the original series and its revival. A later BBC Audio (UK public broadcaster) piece had Bolam speaking about working with Bewes and addressing the supposed feud, but neither man ever sat for a joint interview to clear the air.

What Was Rodney Bewes Famous For?

Role as Bob Ferris in The Likely Lads

Bewes found national fame playing Bob Ferris, the aspirational half of a working‑class Geordie duo, in The Likely Lads (1964–1966) and its sequel Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973–1974). The BBC News (UK public broadcaster) obituary described him as “a natural comic actor with impeccable timing.” James Bolam played Terry Collier, the cynical best friend.

Other notable TV and film roles

Beyond the sitcom, Bewes appeared in films such as The League of Gentlemen (1960) and The Virgin Soldiers (1969). He also wrote for television, penning episodes of The Likely Lads and other series. His later TV work included guest spots on Basil Brush and a starring role in the 2004 drama The Afternoon Play, which proved to be his last acting credit (IMDb (film database)).

Work as a writer

Bewes co‑wrote episodes of The Likely Lads under the pseudonym “Rodney Bewes” – a rare instance of a lead actor also contributing behind the camera. The Comedy.co.uk (British comedy news site) retrospective notes that his writing helped shape the show’s authentic Northern voice.

Who Are Rodney Bewes Triplet Sons?

Names and brief biographies

Bewes and his wife Sue had three sons – Barnaby, Benjamin, and Thomas – born in 1978. The London Rowing Club (rowing club obituary) notes that Bewes was a longstanding member, and that his sons grew up partly in Cornwall, where the family settled.

Their careers and public appearances

One son, Thomas Bewes, is a musician and has performed publicly. The others have maintained lower profiles. None have publicly commented on their father’s feud with Bolam. Bewes often spoke with pride about raising triplets, a rarity that attracted media curiosity.

Relationship with their father

According to a blog post (pension commentary blog by Henry Tapper) written shortly after Bewes’ death, he was still enjoying his boat in Goring just days before his fatal heart attack, spending time with family.

What Did Rodney Bewes Die Of?

Cause of death

Bewes died of a heart attack on 21 November 2017 at his home in Lizard, Cornwall. He was six days shy of his 80th birthday. The BBC News (UK public broadcaster) obituary reported his death the same day, and the London Rowing Club (rowing club obituary) confirmed the cause.

Circumstances

His wife Sue was with him at the time. No autopsy controversy or public health warning arose. The death was reported as sudden but not unexpected given his age.

Obituary details from BBC and The Guardian

The BBC News (UK public broadcaster) obituary praised his “natural comic actor” timing, while The Guardian remembered him as “the well‑intentioned and socially aspiring half of The Likely Lads.” Both outlets noted the lingering feud with Bolam.

Has James Bolam Any Children?

Bolam’s family life

James Bolam has two children with his wife, Susan. His daughter, Lucy Bolam, is an actress. This contrasts with Bewes’ three sons. Bolam has rarely discussed his family in interviews.

Contrast with Bewes’ family

While Bewes was open about his triplet sons and often photographed with them, Bolam kept his family life private. The difference in public family profiles may have contributed to the narrative of a rift: Bewes seemed approachable, Bolam reserved.

Public statements about children

No direct comparison exists in Bolam’s own words. The BBC Audio (UK public broadcaster) piece that addresses the feud does not mention Bolam’s children.

Are The Likely Lads Still Alive?

Rodney Bewes death in 2017

Bewes died on 21 November 2017 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).

James Bolam current status (as of 2025)

James Bolam is still alive as of 2025. He continues to work occasionally in television, most recently in the 2023 series Beyond Paradise.

Legacy of the show

The Likely Lads is considered a classic of British television. The Comedy.co.uk (British comedy news site) notes that the show’s enduring popularity keeps the Bewes–Bolam story in the public eye.

For fans of The Likely Lads, the real‑life story behind the on‑screen friendship is a reminder that even the warmest television partnerships can hide decades of silence. The question of what exactly drove two men apart may never be answered, but Bewes’ legacy as Bob Ferris remains untouched. For anyone researching classic British television, the implication is clear: separate the performance from the performer, or risk mistaking a sitcom for a documentary.

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