WHATEVER happened to the handsome one in the 1960s hit series The Likely Lads?

James Bolam, who played Terry, has never been far from our TV screens in a wide variety of parts, but what of his mate Rodney Bewes - the dark haired one with the pretty face?

The answer is, he's messing about in the river - well, on stage anyway!

Fans will be able to see him at the Swan Theatre in Worcester in his own adaptation of Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome, in which he takes all three parts.

Rodney, who played Bob in The Likely Lads, is now 67 and for more than a decade on and off he has been touring the country with his one-man show. He and his wife, "poor Daphne", motor from one venue to another towing a 1911, 24ft boat.

Rodney said: "She's known as 'poor Daphne' because she's my only crew member, who packs away all the props after the show when I'm chatting to people and signing autographs."

It must be love, however, because the pair have been married for 33 years with never a cross word, they say!

Rodney's great link to Evesham is the coat he wears on stage in the first act. He said: "I wear a cream antique Evesham Rowing Club blazer which I bought at an auction in London some years ago with an old London Rowing Club tie."

He said he was an enthusiastic rower himself, as were his father and grandfather before him. One of the very many props he uses on stage is a silver cup with the name of Horace Bewes emblazoned in it.

"It's dated 1927 and it's quite nice to use it on stage. I also use a dog on wheels with hay sticking out of its head and all sorts of things go on. It's exhausting but enjoyable," he said. When he isn't touring he leads an idyllic lifestyle. The father of three has one home in Henley-on-Thames and restores old boats. He keeps five of his own and also has a home in Cornwall on the Lizard where he spends his holidays.

He looks back fondly at his time on the telly and would love to be on again but he said: "They don't want me now. I loved doing The Likely Lads. It's comedy I like best. There's nothing better than to do a show and hear the audience laughing at you - it's great. I have no ambition to do serious drama."