A
long lost episode of TV classic The Likely Lads
has been unearthed and is to be screened later
this month to highlight a search for gems lost
from BBC vaults.
Dozens of shows have vanished or have been recorded
over, including nearly half Hancock’s
Half Hour for radio and a one-off TV appearance
by The Beatles on Juke Box Jury. BBC bosses are
hoping fans may still have filmed or taped shows
they recorded for themselves when the lost programmes
were first broadcast. They would like them handed
over to complete the archives.
They also aim to jog the memories of former members
of staff who may have absent-mindedly stockpiled
copies at home. A 1963 play Madhouse On Castle
Street in which a young Bob Dylan had an acting
role and early works by Dennis Potter and Michael
Frayn are among items being sought.
"We’re asking anyone who has recordings of
pre-1980 television or radio programmes that might
not be held by the BBC to let us know, so they
can be preserved for the enjoyment of generations
to come," said a spokeswoman.
Until recently, 13 out of 20 episodes of The Likely
Lads were missing, but a team of amateur collectors
uncovered an edition called The Last Of The
Big Spenders.
The show was first broadcast on July 7, 1965,
and features a youthful Wendy Richards, from EastEnders,
as a guest actress alongside regulars James Bolam
and Rodney Bewes.
Writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais - who
also wrote Porridge - created the sitcom
which ran for three series from 1964 to 1966.
It was followed in the 1970’s by Whatever
Happened To The Likely Lads? The rediscovered
episode will be screened on 30 May on BBC2.
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A
long lost episode of TV classic The Likely Lads
has been unearthed and is to be screened later
this month to highlight a search for gems lost
from BBC vaults. 