Likely Lads Star Rodney Bewes Struggled Financially Due to Co-Star Dispute
Rodney Bewes, famed for ‘The Likely Lads,’ struggled financially in his later years after co-star James Bolam blocked show reruns. This cut off a vital income source, leading Bewes to lament his plight, with sentiments pointing to a complex mix of ego and friendship that turned sour. Ultimately, Bewes faced hard realities that contradicted the jovial nature of his on-screen persona.
Rodney Bewes, best known for his iconic role in the BBC sitcom “The Likely Lads,” faced financial struggles well into his seventies, culminating in his passing in 2017. Despite the immense popularity of the show, which launched his career alongside its sequel and even a feature film, Bewes found himself wrestling with a mortgage and an overdraft after reruns of the sitcom were reportedly ceased.
In some twist of fate, the issue began after a fallout with his co-star, James Bolam. The drama stemmed from an ill-timed revelation by Bewes regarding Bolam’s personal life, and it inadvertently cost him dearly. Bolam, who is now 89, preferred to keep his life private and was less than pleased when Bewes discussed baby news. This led to four decades of silence between the two, and frankly, it felt like a continuity error in their lives.
In all the hubbub, Bolam supposedly went so far as to block reruns of their beloved show, putting Rodney in a pinch. With each episode, he could’ve earned around £4,000, which would have been quite handy to alleviate his escalating debts. As Bewes explained back in 2010, “Jimmy Bolam’s killed it, which is such a pity.” It’s all a bitter pill to swallow considering he still had to hit the road for one-man shows just to make ends meet. Now that’s comedy gold turned into a tragic tale.
Bewes further lamented, “It’s cruel… to stop other people earning money,” clearly feeling the weight of his financial burden. He expressed frustration with what he perceived as Bolam’s inflated sense of self-importance saying, “Actors aren’t important. I’m not important; I have fun.” These sentiments cast a shadow on what should’ve been a joyful reunion of sorts for the show’s loyal fans.
Born in Yorkshire in 1937, Bewes did not have the easiest start, with his journey taking shape after the RAF. In a classic underdog story, he worked night shifts washing up to pay for his RADA fees. One might say it prepared him for navigating the turbulence of his later career. Ironically, this hard work led to a stint of exhaustion so severe he would frequently doze off in lectures — a precursor to a career where staying awake for comedy gold could’ve been quite useful!
In a nutshell, Rodney Bewes’s later years were a far cry from the comedic heights of his youth. A fallout with his co-star James Bolam led to decades of silence and reportedly halted reruns of their iconic show, which financially crippled Bewes. He articulated his struggles candidly, recognising the harsh reality of ego and personal strife overshadowing what should’ve been a shared success. Bewes’s story is a poignant reminder that while we love to laugh, the realities of life can be, well, about as comedic as a tragedy.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
