Likely Lads star Rodney Bewes dies aged 79: Ant and Dec lead tributes to legend who used his last interview to plead with co-star of beloved sitcom to end their 40-year feud

Star of hit Sixties sitcom The Likely Lads, Rodney Bewes has died aged 79
Bewes played the aspirational Bob Ferris in the popular British comedy
At its peak, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? pulled in 27 million viewers
Bewes and fellow Likely Lad James Bolam hadn't spoken for almost 40 years
In his last interview, Bewes said he wanted to reunite with his former co-star
His agent said: 'Rodney was a true one off. We will miss his charm and ready wit'

Published: 18:40 GMT, 21 November 2017 | Updated: 02:12 GMT, 22 November 2017

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British comedy legend Rodney Bewes, who starred in the hit 1960s sitcom The Likely Lads has died aged 79

British comedy legend Rodney Bewes, who starred in the hit 1960s sitcom The Likely Lads has died aged 79.

Bewes played the aspirational Bob Ferris in the popular Newcastle upon Tyne based comedy, alongside James Bolam who played the other Likely Lad, Terry Collier.

Despite appearing close on-screen, the pair hadn't spoken to each other for almost 40 years.

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The fall out came after Bewes revealed to a reporter that Bolam's wife was pregnant - enraging his fiercely private co-star.

In his last interview, he admitted to wanting to end their feud but said Bolam was unwilling to bury the hatchet.

'I would love to be friends with him, but he doesn't want to be friends with me,' he said. 'I can't be like Jimmy, I can't be that angry. We're different animals,' he told The Mirror in 2015.

Rodney played the aspirational Bob Ferris (right) in the popular Newcastle upon Tyne based comedy, alongside James Bolam who played the other Likely Lad, Terry Collier (left)

Despite appearing close on-screen, the pair hadn't spoken to each other for almost 40 years. The fall out came after Bewes revealed to a reporter that Bolam's wife was pregnant - enraging his fiercely private co-star

The original black-and-white Likely Lads ran for three series' between December 1964 and July 1966.

It followed the lives of two working class men from the North East who grew up together and worked in a factory side by side.

Reflecting Britain's growing class tensions the time, Bob was socially aspirational while Terry a cynical everyman stuck in his ways.

A sequel Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? was broadcast between January 1973 and December 1974.

The original black-and-white Likely Lads ran for three series' between December 1964 and July 1966. It followed the lives of two working class men from the North East who grew up together and worked in a factory side by side

It continued the two mens' story five years on, with hen-pecked Bob trying to become middle-class and Terry firmly sticking to his working class roots.

The show came against a backdrop of almost continuous industrial strife in Britain at the time.

At its peak in the mid 1970s, the show pulled in 27 million viewers.

Reflecting Britain's growing class tensions the time, Bob was socially aspirational while Terry a cynical everyman stuck in his ways. A sequel Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? was broadcast between January 1973 and December 1974

Asked years later if he thought that he would be best remembered for the role, Bewes said: 'Actually it is the only thing I am remembered for.

'But at least I'm remembered for something.'

In a statement, his agent confirmed: 'It is with great sadness that we confirm that our dear client, the much loved actor Rodney Bewes, passed away this morning.

It continued the two mens' story five years on, with hen-pecked Bob trying to become middle-class and Terry firmly sticking to his working class roots. The show came against a backdrop of almost continuous industrial strife in Britain at the time

At its peak in the mid 1970s, the show pulled in 27 million viewers. Asked years later if he thought that he would be best remembered for the role, Bewes once said: 'Actually it is the only thing I am remembered for. 'But at least I'm remembered for something.'

'Rodney was a true one off. We will miss his charm and ready wit.'

Bewes was born in Bingley in Yorkshire but moved to Luton as a child.

He appeared in BBC plays from the age of 12 before a carrying out his national service in the RAF.

He enjoyed a stint at the prestigious drama school RADA but working nights in hotels to fund his studies often meant he fell asleep during class - leading to his expulsion in his final year.

His then principal wrote: 'I'm afraid Rodney's talents lie in a direction other than acting.'

The actor suffered heartache in 2015 when his wife Daphne suddenly had a stroke and died four weeks later, aged 73. They married in 1973 and had their first child the same year, followed by triplets in 1976. It was a surprise, as they'd been expecting twins

In his last interview, Bewes revealed that his former co-star hadn't got in touch following the passing of his wife

The actor suffered heartache in 2015 when his wife Daphne suddenly had a stroke and died four weeks later, aged 73.

They married in 1973 and had their first child the same year, followed by triplets in 1976. It was a surprise, as they'd been expecting twins.

'When my three boys were born, the first place I went to that night was Jimmy's house to tell him Denise had had three babies instead of two,' said Bewes.

'I remember Jimmy said, 'Here's a glass of wine.''

'I got letters from people from all over the world. But there's not a letter from Jimmy about Daphne dying. 'I didn't expect him to get in touch. It would have given me a dreadful shock if he did. He knew her very well. We were all great friends when we worked together'

He is survived by his four children - Billy, Joe, Tom and Daisy - and two grandchildren, Oscar and Eliza

In his last interview, Bewes revealed that his former co-star hadn't got in touch following the passing of his wife.

He said he has received letters from all over the world but none from Jimmy about his wife's death.

'I didn't expect him to get in touch. It would have given me a dreadful shock if he did. He knew her very well. We were all great friends when we worked together,' he said.

Tributes began to pour in for the television favourite, with his agent Michelle Braidman writing on Twitter: 'It is with great sadness we can confirm the much loved actor Rodney Bewes passed away this morning. Rodney was a true one off. We will miss his charm and wit.'

Ant and Dec said they were sad to hear of the death of Bewes who said he would live on through Bob Ferris and the Likely Lads

Olympic gold medalist rower Matthew Pinsent told a touching anecdote about the late actor, writing: 'Rowers will remember him sitting on the booms at Helney clapping every crew past. Every one, every day.'

Danny Baker and his family sent their condolences to one of Britain's comedy greats

He is survived by his four children - Billy, Joe, Tom and Daisy - and two grandchildren, Oscar and Eliza.

Popular Geordie TV duo Ant and Dec also posted a touching tribute to Bewes on Twitter.

They said they were sad to hear of the death of Bewes who 'would live on through Bob Ferris and the Likely Lads.'

While Olympic gold medallist rower Matthew Pinsent told a touching anecdote about the late actor, writing: 'Rowers will remember him sitting on the booms at Henley clapping every crew past. Every one, every day.'