The Bee Gees’ real Ten Pound Poms experience as BBC series returns

Following the success of its first series, Ten Pound Poms has finally made its comeback to the BBC with its eagerly awaited second series. The drama follows a group of Brits who embark on a new life-changing adventure as they relocate to Australia after World War II.

Although the cast, led by Michelle Keegan, portrays fictional characters, the 20th-century mass migration was real and encouraged by both the Australian and British governments. As housing shortages and dire rationing plagued post-war Britain, Australia was desperate for new immigrants to fill its shores, and over 1.5 million Brits moved Down Under. Among the everyday people who were promised housing and great employment were a number of famous people, including the acclaimed 1960s boyband, the Bee Gees.

The talented musical trio best known for their 1977 hit Stayin’ Alive consisted of three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb.

After being born on the Isle of Man to their parents Hugh and Barbara, the siblings were raised in Manchester, where they formed their rock and roll band, initially named the Rattlesnakes.

The family were among those who relocated to Redcliffe, Australia, before later settling in Cribb Island, and there, the Bee Gees achieved their first chart success.

During their journey onboard the Fairsea, it was ruled that children were supposed to clear the decks by 9pm but the Gibb brothers frequently broke the curfew.

The musically inclined trio would sneak out of their cabin in their pyjamas to sing to crowds of enthusiastic passengers.

However, it’s estimated that about 250,000 of the Ten Pound Poms, including the chart-topping brothers, moved back to the UK after the first few years.

The Bee Gees moved back in 1969 for business purposes as their producer, Robert Stigwood, began promoting them to a worldwide audience.

This proved to be the right decision as their Saturday Night Fever soundtrack had a profound impact on the disco music scene and the album went on to win five Grammy Awards.

The Bee Gees have sold over 120 million records worldwide, placing them among the best-selling music artists of all time.

As for the Ten Pound Poms who returned to the UK, half of then moved back to Australia and became known as the Boomerang Poms.