The Likely Lads

The Likely Lads

Year: 1976

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Tuchner

Comedy

Bob and Terry cope with the loss of their beloved pub, the Fat Ox, after their neighbourhood is demolished. Distressed, Bob seeks sympathy from Thelma at the library. When Thelma discovers Terry is dating Finnish shop assistant Chris, she arranges a dinner and a camping trip to pair them. Chaos follows, culminating with the lads trying to drive off with the sleeping girls in a caravan.

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Timeline – The Likely Lads (1976)

Trace every key event in The Likely Lads (1976) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Opening WWII pre-credits: conception of the Lads

The film opens with a Second World War air raid, hinting at the events that lead to the conception of Bob and Terry. This prologue establishes the long bond between the two men and roots their later misadventures in a shared wartime origin.

WWII era, pre-credits UK (WWII air raid)
2

Post-war life: Bob and Terry as thirties footballers

After the opening titles, Bob and Terry are seen as men in their thirties playing football with local kids on rough ground. Bob is rescued from a high roof by a fire engine during the game, foreshadowing their knack for trouble and camaraderie.

Late 20th century (post-war era) Patch of rough ground
3

Fat Ox pub slated for demolition

Bob and Terry visit the Fat Ox pub, which is about to be demolished along with surrounding working-class housing. Bob mourns the loss of the old neighborhood while Terry embraces redevelopment and a more modern city life.

Present day The Fat Ox pub and surrounding housing
4

Thelma’s scheme and the Northumberland caravan trip

Terry begins a relationship with Chris, while Thelma pushes to marry Terry to secure her own marriage. The four set off on a caravanning holiday to Northumberland, tensions simmering beneath the surface.

Shortly after the pub visit Northumberland caravan trip
5

Caravan morning departure: leaving Thelma and Chris behind

Early one morning, Thelma and Chris are still asleep in the caravan as Bob and Terry hitch up and drive off toward home. They leave the women stranded in front of a church as traffic lights turn red.

Morning during caravan trip Northumberland (small town by church)
6

Hitch-hikers and the missing companions

Bob and Terry pick up two young hitch-hikers, but at a filling station they realize Thelma and Chris are not in the caravan. They abandon the hitch-hikers and frantically retrace their route to rejoin Thelma and Chris.

During caravan trip Northumberland road and filling station
7

Van-lengthened fallout: job loss

The trip drives a wedge between the couples as Terry and Chris split up and Bob and Thelma separate. A heated argument erupts in the back of Terry’s employer’s van, and the PA system broadcasts their quarrel to the neighborhood, costing Terry his job.

During caravan trip Terry's boss's washing-powder van; neighborhood
8

Whitley Bay weekend: bed-and-breakfast escapades

Seeking distraction, Bob and Terry head to Whitley Bay for a weekend. Bob dates the landlady’s daughter while Terry is seduced by the landlady herself; both end up wearily leaving, trousers forgotten in the mayhem.

After van incident Whitley Bay bed and breakfast
9

Back to Terry’s flat: trousers fiasco and Audrey’s advice

The lads return to Terry’s flat to find Thelma and Terry’s sister Audrey there, and the missing trousers add to the embarrassment. Audrey’s advice nudges Terry toward drastic plans for leaving the country.

Following Whitley Bay weekend Terry’s flat (North East UK)
10

Terry plans to leave the country

Taking Audrey’s advice, Terry signs on as a deckhand aboard a ship leaving Newcastle. The two friends spend his last night in England drinking on board and commiserating with each other before parting.

Last night in England Newcastle docks
11

Bob stays aboard as the ship departs

At the last moment, Terry decides not to disembark, while Bob accidentally falls asleep on board. He wakes to find the ship has sailed, leaving him separated and uncertain about the plan.

Ship's departure day On board ship leaving Newcastle; later lifeboat
12

Plan to offload Bob at Bahrain

Terry explains to Thelma that their real objective is to reveal Bob’s presence on board and drop him off at the first port, Bahrain. The crew remains unaware of Bob’s fate as the voyage continues toward its designated port.

Voyage toward Bahrain On board ship en route to Bahrain

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:28

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Likely Lads

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