3 June 2002 (2002-06-03) – 29 August 2006 (2006-08-29)
Lads' Army (known in later series as Bad Lads' Army, Bad Lads' Army: Officer Class and Bad Lads' Army: Extreme) was a realitygame show that constitutes a historically derived social experiment. Shown on ITV, the series is based on the premise of subjecting today's delinquent young men to the conditions of conscripts to British ArmyNational Service of the 1950s to see if this could rehabilitate them.
The programme was derived from an earlier one called simply Lads' Army (a play on Dad's Army) in which a number of volunteers underwent four weeks of basic training for 1950s National Service. Unlike the three sequel series (the ones whose titles began with "Bad"), the original programme's experiment was merely to see if 18- to 24-year-old members of the modern British public could cope with the 1950s training, and how they compared to the public of that period. The success of the original series led to the experiment being repeated with the recruits having committed criminal offences, often given the option to undergo the training by courts as an alternative to serving pending sentences, to explore the proposition that it would be beneficial to reinstate National Service for petty criminals and delinquents as an alternative to more conventional sentences. Series 4 raised the maximum age to 26.
The narrator for the first series was Kevin Whately, then Dennis Waterman took over until the show ended in 2006. Within each series a small number of the recruits have either walked out (after a 24-hour cooling off period), or been ejected. The majority of the remainder claim some benefit from the experience and some have chosen the regular British Army as a career at the end of it.
The programme format is relatively simple. The recruits are issued period uniforms and equipment and fed, quartered and trained according to the standards of the era. Their free time is limited to visits to the NAAFI with period refreshments and facilities. The recruits form a single platoon made up of two sections, each under the care of a section commander, either Richard Nauyokas or Joe Murray (in series 3 Nauyokas was replaced by Glenn Thomas [who appeared as the Company Sergeant Major in series 2], although he still appeared as a relief corporal). During training the sections compete against each other, building a sense of competition but also of teamwork and loyalty. Success brings modest rewards. Praise is given for whole-hearted attempts at tasks. The NCOs and officers running the training are all, or have been, professional British soldiers.
Each series had a slightly different format to its predecessors, although the theme of 1950s military training is common to all series. The 3rd series (known as Bad Lads' Army: Officer Class) had the volunteers train to become officers while the 4th series (known as Bad Lads' Army Extreme) had the volunteers train to become paratroopers.
PASSED OUT = Recruit was present at the final stages of training, at the Passing Out Parade.
LEFT = Recruit quit or was discharged before making it to the final parade.
Series overview
David Gardner received the "Best Recruit" award, James Willingham was awarded the platoons "Most Improved Recruit". 2 Section won "Best Section".
During the series, Tom Woolfe was dishonourably discharged/back squadded from the camp. Paul Claydon, Lee Wooten, and Chris Hampson chose to leave voluntarily. Nicholas Sandford deserted the base and never returned to camp. Jamie Dodd and Aaron Larson were medically discharged from the camp. William Wood's exit is unknown as his exit never aired.
After William Wood and Paul Clayden left, William Bate and Paul Eagle were drafted in as replacement recruits.
Captain Richard Owen, Waterloo Platoon's CO, died after the filming of the series in 2014, at age 48. He is said to have died from cancer.[1]
The main filming location for series one was Browndown Training Camp at Lee-on-Solent.
Series 2 (Bad Lads' Army, 2004)
Montgomery Platoon NCO's and Officers
Rank/Name:
Role:
Experience:
CPL Richard Nauyokas
1 Section NCO
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
CPL Joe Murray
2 Section NCO
Parachute Regiment
CPL Taff Gillingham
Q/M NCO
Logistics
CPL Mark Sheridan
PTI
PTI
CPL John Goodwin
PTI
PTI
CPL Kevin Smith
Platoon Medic
Royal Army Medical Corps
CPL Timothy Dean
Provost CPL
Military Police
CPL James Lance
Provost CPL
Military Police
SGT Jeff Edwards
Provost SGT
Royal Army Ordanance Corps
SGT Alistair Rae
Platoon SGT
Royal Army Ordanance Corps,Training Instructor
SGT Mark Sullivan
Drill SGT
Recruit Instructor
WO2 Glen Thomas
Company SGT Major
Sandhurst Officer
CAPT Henry Dodds
Platoon Commander
Royal Engineers
Padre David Rindell
Padre
Royal Army Chaplain's Department
Montgomery Platoon recruits
1 Section CPL Richard Nauyokas
Ages
Occupation
Status
2 Section CPL Joe Murray
Ages
Occupation
Status
Tjobbe Andrews
22 (1982)
Website Designer
PASSED OUT
Chris Andrew
21 (1982)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Marcus Birks
23 (1981)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Michael Blackham
19 (1985)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
David Butler
21 (1983)
Joiner
PASSED OUT
Alan Brown
23 (1981)
Unemployed
LEFT
Shaun Carr
18 (1986)
Student
PASSED OUT
Luke Brown
23 (1981)
Unemployed
LEFT
Peter Cray
23 (1980)
Actor
PASSED OUT
Chris Davis
18 (1986)
Student
PASSED OUT
Ashley Cummings
18 (1986)
Student
LEFT
Damien Ellis
23 (1980)
Graduate
PASSED OUT
Matthew Gilks
21 (1982)
Builder
PASSED OUT
Daniel Kett
21 (1982)
Civil Engineer
LEFT
Robert Grundy
19 (1984)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Michael Lowes
22 (1982)
Salesperson
PASSED OUT
Chris Harkin
18 (1986)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Alex Rennie
24 (1979)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
John Kyprianou
23 (1980)
Barman
PASSED OUT
Shingi Sekerama
19 (1985)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Mark Lamont
20 (1985)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Robert Shutler
22 (1983)
Student
PASSED OUT
Ashley Morton
21 (1983)
Landscape Gardener
LEFT
Scott Simpson
18 (1986)
Unemployed
LEFT
Wil Moynihan
20 (1983)
Barman
PASSED OUT
Wayne Spiller
24 (1980)
Student
PASSED OUT
Hassan Murtada
24 (1979)
Scaffolder
PASSED OUT
Christopher Townsend
20 (1983)
Barman/Student
LEFT
Robert Pembrook
19 (1984)
Unemployed
PASSED OUT
Richard Weaver
20 (1984)
Cinema Team Leader
PASSED OUT
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Stilianos Xidakis
18 (1985)
High School Student
PASSED OUT
Key
PASSED OUT = Recruit was present at the final stages of training, at the Passing Out Parade.
LEFT = Recruit quit or was discharged before making it to the final parade.
Series overview
Tjobbe Andrews, Matthew Gilks and Robert Shutler were given Officer Recommendations. This would be the goal of the following series. John Kyprianou received the Platoon's Top Shot (the highest score in the shooting range). Marcus Birks received the Best Recruit award at the Pass Out Parade, with Robert Pembrook receiving the Most Improved award. 2 Section won Best Section. With 2 Section winning best section, CPL Murray was promoted to SGT at the Passing Out Parade.
Luke Brown and Ashley Morton were dishonourably discharged. Morton was the only recruit to receive a dishonourable discharge for committing a criminal offence, namely an unprovoked assault on John Kyprianou, who decided not to press charges. Scott Simpson, Daniel Kett and Chris Townsend chose to leave voluntarily. Ashley Cummings and Alan Brown's status' are unknown, as how they were discharged was never specified. Alan Brown also did not turn up on the first day due to a scheduled court appearance; he received a conditional discharge in connection with a fight that he had previously been involved in, with the requirement that he complete National Service.
After Scott Simpson quit before even being issued a single item of kit or his uniform, Alex Rennie was drafted in as a replacement recruit. At the time of the series release, there was speculation that Tom Woolfe from the first series who was back squadded was set to return but never did for unknown reasons. This is heavily suspected, as there was no replacement for 1 Section after Ashley Cummings left and Woolfe was in 1 Section during the first series, however, to this date, nothing has been confirmed.
After the filming of the series, Michael Lowes suffered from clinical depression after facing indecent exposure charges, and was found dead in his home from an apparent suicide in 2010, at age 28.[2] SGT Alistair Rae, the platoon sergeant for Montgomery, Churchill and Pegasus Platoons, died in November 2020 due to complications from COVID-19,[3] as did contestant Marcus Birks in 2021, at the age of 40.[4]
The main filming location for series two was at New Zealand Farm Camp on Salisbury Plain.
Series 3 (Bad Lads' Army: Officer Class, 2005)
Churchill Platoon NCO's and Officers
Rank/Name:
Role:
Experience:
CPL Glenn Thomas
1 Section NCO
Sandhurst Officer
CPL Joe Murray
2 Section NCO
Parachute Regiment
CPL Taff Gillingham
Q/M NCO
Logistics
CPL Richard Nauyokas
Relief NCO
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
CPL John Goodwin
PTI
PTI
CPL Gary Nash
PTI
PTI
CPL Joseph Hoodless
Platoon Admin
Royal Marines
CPL Kevin Smith
Platoon Medic
Royal Army Medical Corps
CPL Timothy Dean
Provost CPL
Military Police
CPL James Lance
Provost CPL
Military Police
SGT Timothy Weston
Provost SGT
Grenadier Guards
SGT Alistair Rae
Platoon SGT
Training Instructor
WO2 Julian Whatley
Company SGT Major
Regimental SGT Major
CAPT Harry Lort Phillips
Platoon Commander
Officer
MAJ Henry Dodds
Company Commander
Royal Engineers
Padre David Rindell
Padre
Royal Army Chaplain's Department
Churchill Platoon recruits
1 Section (Blue) NCO – CPL Glen Thomas
Ages
Occupation
Officer Potential
2 Section (Red) NCO – CPL Joe Murray
Ages
Occupation
Officer Potential
Tim Bailey
22 (1983)
Unemployed
YES
Darren Adams
19 (1986)
Student
NO
Carl Bedford
20 (1985)
Unemployed
NO
Ross Barrett
20 (1984)
Unemployed Novelist/Barman
NO
Chris Danns
24 (1981)
Unemployed
NO
Steven Bedford
20 (1984)
Unemployed
LEFT
Aaron Groom
23 (1981)
Unemployed
NO
Ben Hains
21 (1984)
Painter Decorator
NO
Les Harvey
18 (1987)
Royal Marine Dropout/Stock Taker
NO
Darren Hardman
22 (1982)
Unemployed
YES
Jack Kendall
21 (1984)
Scaffolder
NO
Rifat Hassan
22 (1982)
Security Guard
YES
Simon Magil
22 (1982)
Unemployed
YES
David Johnstone
24 (1980)
Web Designer
NO
Garry Miller
20 (1985)
Office Junior
YES
Jonathan McDade
18 (1987)
Student
YES
Adam Oakley
19 (1986)
Royal Mail Sorter
LEFT
Simon Pietkewitz
23 (1983)
Unemployed
YES
Robert Page
20 (1984)
Drivers Mate
YES
Benjamin Priestman
22 (1982)
Unemployed
NO
Simon Pinkney
23 (1981)
Actor/Dancer
LEFT
Matthew Rawlings
24 (1980)
Boxer
NO
James Roberts
20 (1984)
Tyre Fitter
YES
Haydn Russell
21 (1984)
Sales Temp
NO
Robert Schofield
21 (1983)
Unemployed
NO
Rocco Scalercio
20 (1985)
Unemployed
NO
Dale Tate
22 (1983)
Unemployed
LEFT
Taisen Coree-Smith
24 (1981)
Unemployed
NO
Matthew Tate
24 (1980)
Unemployed
LEFT
Adrian Turton
24 (1980)
Technician
LEFT
Wesley Worrall
21 (1983)
Unemployed
LEFT
Kirk Woodend
21 (1984)
Stripper/Porn Actor
LEFT
Key
YES = Recruit was selected for officer training.
NO = Recruit was not selected for officer training.
LEFT = Recruit left the series, either voluntarily, due to being dishonourably discharged or a medical discharge.
Series overview
The Passing Out Parade never stated who received "Best Recruit", or "Most Improved Recruit", as well as which Section were the winners overall. This is the only series that had no contestants born in the 1970s.
Wesley Worrall, Steven Bedford, and Matthew Tate were dishonourably discharged from the camp, Kirk Woodend chose to leave voluntarily and Adam Oakley was medically discharged. Dale Tate (Matthew Tate's brother) deserted the section and never returned to the Platoon; his brother deserted with him, but later returned. Matthew Tate was dishonorably discharged for hiding 8 shillings (the remainder of his wages from the second week), and trying to frame the rest of the platoon for stealing said money. Simon Pinkney and Adrian Turton left the camp, however their exits were never aired.
After Wesley Worrall and Steven Bedford were discharged, Chris Danns and Matthew Rawlings were drafted in, as replacement recruits.
Robert Page initially was selected for officer training but quit before training began and was forced to return to unit.
At the end of the final episode, the narrator stated that 11 of 24 who passed out had subsequently applied to join the regular British Army.
Robert Page died after the filming of the series in 2020 at age 36. His cause is unknown.
The main filming location for series three was again at Browndown Training Camp at Lee-on-Solent.
Series 4 (Bad Lads' Army: Extreme, 2006)
Pegasus Platoon NCO's and Officers
Rank/Name:
Role:
Experience:
LCPL Susan Tucker
Company Clerk
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
LCPL JJ Adams
Assistant Medic
Royal Air Force
CPL Richard Nauyokas
1 Section NCO
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
CPL Joe Murray
2 Section NCO
Parachute Regiment
SGT Taff Gillingham
Q/M NCO
Logistics
CPL John Newton
PTI
Parachute Regiment
CPL Jim Bush
PTI
Parachute Regiment
CPL Alex Bohanna
Platoon Medic
Royal Army Medical Corps
CPL Kevin Smith
Assistant Medic
Royal Army Medical Corps
CPL Timothy Dean
Provost CPL
Military Police
CPL James Lance
Provost CPL
Military Police
SGT Taff Gillingham
Q/M NCO
Logistics
SGT Timothy Weston
Provost SGT
Grenadier Guards
SGT Alistair Rae
Platoon SGT
Training Instructor
WO2 Julian Whatley
Company SGT Major
Regimental SGT Major
CAPT Henry Dodds
Platoon Commander
Royal Engineers
Pegasus Platoon recruits
Blue Section NCO – CPL Richard Nauyokus
Ages
Occupation
Final Jump Selection
Red Section NCO – CPL Joe Murray
Ages
Occupation
Final Jump Selection
Jamie Brooks
21 (1984)
NO
James Bourne
23 (1983)
Unemployed
YES
Samuel Bruce Angland
21 (1984)
Security Guard
NO
Chris Coad
22 (1984)
Unemployed
NO
Keith Burke
19 (1987)
Unemployed
LEFT
Aiden Chaffe
18 (1988)
Unemployed
NO
Colin Elliot
23 (1983)
Unemployed
LEFT
Andrew Findlay
24 (1981)
Teaching Assistant
NO
Mark Grimes
26 (1979)
Unemployed
NO
Luke Howard
18 (1987)
LEFT
Sebastian Judd
21 (1985)
YES
Kyle Jensen
22 (1983)
Roofer
YES
Raymond Impey
21 (1985)
Unemployed
LEFT
Andrew Jimson
25 (1981)
Unemployed
LEFT
Phillip Lee-Hodgeson
20 (1985)
NO
Darren McDonald
26 (1980)
Fitness Instructor
LEFT
Adam Mercer
25 (1981)
Unemployed
LEFT
Sean Morris
24 (1981)
YES
Luke Moyes
19 (1986)
LEFT
Shaz Nawaz
23 (1982)
Security Guard
YES
Joe Peto
18 (1988)
YES
Jerry Reilly
25 (1980)
NO
Matthew Reed
18 (1988)
University Student/Riot Leader
LEFT
Joe Renwick
19 (1986)
NO
Giles Walker
25 (1980)
LEFT
Leon Thompson
20 (1986)
LEFT
Steven Walker
22 (1983)
YES
Jamie Smeadly
21 (1984)
Plasterer
NO
Gavin Woodhouse
21 (1985)
Unemployed
YES
Robin Woodfourth
22 (1983)
Unemployed
YES
Joel Whittaker
24 (1982)
LEFT
Tyrone Walsh
26 (1979)
NO
Key
YES = Recruit was selected for the Final Parachute Jump
NO = Recruit was not selected for Final Parachute Jump.
LEFT = Recruit left the series, either voluntarily, due to being dishonourably discharged or a medical discharge.
Series overview
The Passing Out Parade never stated who received "Best Recruit", or "Most Improved Recruit". Blue Section was the winning section.
Colin Elliot was Dishonourably Discharged from the camp. Keith Burke, Adam Mercer, Joel Whittaker, and Andrew Jimson were dismissed on Bin Day, just before the interrogation phase. Giles Walker, Leon Thompson, Luke Howard, Matthew Reed, Raymond Impey, Darren McDonald, and Luke Moyes were all dismissed from the camp but their exits never aired. This series features a high amount of unusual dismissals, with 12 exits total.
After Colin Elliot and Giles Walker were discharged, Joe Peto and Steven Walker were drafted in, as replacement recruits. This was the first time that both replacement recruits went into the same section.
Aiden Chaffe died on 22 October 2018 at the age of 31 following a skydiving accident.[5]
