Grumpy old men

So they'd fit perfectly into the BBC's upcoming Time Of Your Lifeseason, aimed specifically at entertaining those of us within theover-55s generation.

I'd like to think that both Terry and Bob would have becomedecidedly grumpy old men, rather like the ones in the Beeb'sprogramme of the same name.

Terry, one suspects, might be on State benefits, a meagre pensionbacked by additional payments and living in a council flat where thebiggest assets were his widescreen telly, a bottle opener and anashtray.

Bob would probably have taken voluntary redundancy, be sleeping inseparate bedrooms from Thelma and saddled with endless babysittingfor their numerous grandchildren.

They would certainly be opposite ends of the economic pole fromeach other but part of a generation which is physically and mentallyhealthier than any previous similar age group.

Taking Terry out of the equation, Bob and his ilk actually own 80per cent of the United Kingdom's wealth - more than 280 billion,making them richer than any who have gone before or likely to comeafter them.

Mind you, there is a downside.

They also find themselves torn between the increased financialburden of caring for elderly parents, who are also living longer, aswell as giving financial help to both their children andgrandchildren.

The season begins on Friday, July 30, on BBC2 with a major drama,When I'm 64 (9pm) starring Alun Armstrong and Paul Freeman.

It's described by the BBC as being about whether it is ever toolate to make changes in your life and follow the dreams of youryouth."

Somewhere up North, in the back bar of a smoky pub, Bob and Terrywould surely have some thoughts on that one.