A Likely Lad

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Since The Libertines rose to international fame, Doherty has proved endlessly fascinating. A whirlwind of controversy and scandal has tailed him ever since the early 2000s, so much so that all too often his talents as a songwriter and performer have been overlooked; for every award and accolade, there is a scathing review. Hard drugs, tiny gigs on the hoof, huge stadium shows, collaborations, obliterations, gangsters and groupies - Doherty has led a life of huge highs and incredible lows. The Likely Lads is one of the most enduring shows in television history. Frequently repeated and often hailed as a classic, it gave the North East a voice for the first time when it was originally screened in 1964. Bob's immediate neighbours at his new house are the Lawsons and the Jeffcotes, again never seen in the show. A couple called the Nortons are also later referred to as living next door. Marvellous series - the sequel was better than the first series. Now a third would be better again. Come on lads - it's what your public wants!

A Likely Lad by Pete Doherty | Goodreads A Likely Lad by Pete Doherty | Goodreads

Self-mythology was always part of Doherty’s approach and you sense at times a weakness for a fanciful thought, such as the one about imagining Morrissey in intensive care with him, suffering from “suspended melancholy”. In the main he offers a fairly unvarnished recounting of his life, and if some of the exploits are carnivalesque, his narration, at least, is free from self-pity. He sometimes made use of tabloid curiosity, selling photographs and stories to pay debts, a naivety guiding his approach There are moments when Doherty communicates something true about himself. When he explains the appeal of John Lydon – he “had this image of being a bit rotten, vicious, but actually he was a really intelligent, sensitive kid… quite timid” – you feel he could be describing himself: soft-spoken, always preferring “Peter” to “Pete”, pinpointing the vulnerability that endeared him to his fans. His desire to create a movement around music, reminiscent of the mutinous thrills of the punk scene of the 1970s, is often returned to – he is genuine and stubborn in his aim to break down boundaries between band and audience, hence all the tiny gigs, the stage invasions, the leaked releases, and the tattoos and online correspondences he shared with fans. Friends of the Lads who are regularly spoken of but never seen include Frank Clark (Bob's original choice for best man, who had the same name as a Newcastle United player of the time), and Nigel "Little Hutch" Hutchinson (a sex-mad pal, who frequently has a racing tip for Terry). A new friend of Bob's, affable Londoner Alan Boyle ( Julian Holloway), appears in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "The Ant and the Grasshopper" with his wife Brenda. In fact none of the main actors in The Likely Lads was a Geordie. Rodney Bewes was born and bred in Yorkshire, James Bolam was a Sunderland lad, and Brigit Forsyth came from Edinburgh. The only thing to look forward to… is the past", goes the lyric of the title song of the TV series.

Goodbye to all that

The thirteen episodes of Series 1 were adapted for radio, with the original television cast, and broadcast on Radio 4 between 30 July and 22 October 1975. This series is periodically re-broadcast in the "classic comedy" hour on digital radio channel BBC Radio 4 Extra. Sixteen of the television scripts were adapted for radio by James Bolam, and broadcast in two series during 1967 and 1968. [2] Guest stars included George Layton, Garfield Morgan, Wendy Richard, Wanda Ventham, Susan Jameson (the real-life wife of James Bolam), Michael Sheard, Nerys Hughes, Geoffrey Hughes, Helen Fraser and Tony Caunter.

A LIKELY LAD | Kirkus Reviews A LIKELY LAD | Kirkus Reviews

Terry, newly demobbed from the army, finds it hard to adjust to all the changes that have occurred in Newcastle during his time in the army. Jutta Baumgarten, Terry's estranged West German wife. She was due to appear in the last episode of Series 1, played by April Walker, but after filming her first scene, the writers decided against having both male characters married and released Walker from her contract. Despite this, Walker remains on the end credits despite not appearing in the episode. Terry "This town might have a new Civic Centre mate, but it doesn't disguise the fact that it's a dead end". Bob is caught in the middle when Terry's granddad starts a feud with Bob's next-door neighbours, whose daughter is Bob's new girlfriend. Maurice "Memphis" Hardaker, a member of the lads' skiffle group, Rob Ferris and the Wildcats. He was also mentioned in the original 1960s series as colleague Morrie HardakerBob and Terry became Geordie icons, as well known as Andy Capp and as revered as football heroes like Malcolm McDonald and Bobby Moncur. Goodbye to all that Leslie Ferris, Bob's father (in the 1960s series, it was established that Bob's father is deceased)

Pete Doherty on Kate Moss: ‘Our relationship became a running

It is a pity that the last years as a sober person are not treated more than in a short chapter. I am actually genuinely interested in what life is like as a sober person after so many years as an addict. How has Pete found balance? How does he find joy (are there any dopamine reserves left?) How does he see the future?

Readers' Comments

It comes as no surprise that the Geordie duo chose to make A Tribute to the Likely Lads based on the famous football episode of the original in 2002. Rodney Bewes even made a cameo appearance. Faraway places