| Benidorm | |
|---|---|
| Format | Comedy-drama |
| Created by | Derren Litten |
| Starring | Steve Pemberton Siobhan Finneran Sheila Reid Kenny Ireland Janine Duvitski Hugh Sachs Paul Bazely Jake Canuso Elsie Kelly Louie Spence Crissy Rock Tim Healy Sheridan Smith Kathryn Drysdale Shelley Longworth Tony Maudsley Selina Griffiths Neil Fitzmaurice |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Sophie Clarke-Jervoise |
| Producer(s) | Jo Willett Geoffrey Perkins Ben Cavey |
| Running time | 30–75 mins |
| Production company(s) | Tiger Aspect |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV (ITV1/STV/UTV) (also ITV1 HD/STV HD/UTV HD) |
| Picture format | 16:9 576i SDTV Series 1-3 16:9 1080i HDTV Series 4 - present & Series 3 Christmas special |
| Original run | 1 February 2007 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2009) |
Benidorm is an award-winning British television comedy-drama that is produced by Tiger Aspect for ITV and written by Derren Litten, co-writer of The Catherine Tate Show, exploiting the working-class stereotype of this popular tourist destination.
Contents |
Benidorm is a prime-time ITV sitcom set in Spain, which features a strong ensemble cast composed of a number of well-known faces. Set primarily in the Solana all-inclusive resort hotel, Benidorm follows regulars and first-time holiday makers on their holidays abroad. Despite their disparate backgrounds they all have one thing in common - a quest for getting value for money.
The first series of Benidorm proved to be a fairly modest hit for ITV, with critics saying things like: "beautifully written and performed" and "a gem of wry observation in withering bad taste". The second series, which was broadcast in April and May 2008, saw all the main characters return to the Solana Resort for eight new episodes.
Benidorm returned again in 2009 for a summer special, which picked up where the second series left off (with several characters in prison, hospital and disappearing out to sea). The third series, which started in October 2009, was set one year after the summer special as the holidaymakers took up the offer of a free holiday given to them by the Solana Resort. The Garveys are among those to return and soon find themselves right in the middle of the action, courtesy of Madge and Mel (who have set up a shop in Benidorm). The new series continued the trend in having popular guest stars playing outlandish characters. Robin Askwith, Keith Barron, Una Stubbs and Tim Healy all make appearances during the third series.
The first series aired on ITV1 from 1 February to 8 March 2007. This series was nominated for a BAFTA in the Best Sitcom category of the 2008 awards, which took place at the London Palladium on 20 April 2008. The second series aired from 28 March to 16 April 2008. This was the last series to have 30 minute episodes. This was followed by a one-hour special, which aired on 31 May 2009. A third series aired from 2 October to 6 November 2009. The format was changed to six hour-long episodes rather than the usual 30-minute slots. Unlike previous series where bad language was infrequent, in the third series it is scripted much more regularly. In 2010, a Christmas special was produced and aired on 26 December 2010. A fourth series was confirmed by Derren Litten on his Twitter page and a possible live touring version of the show. After the fourth series finished it's run, Derren Litten announced that there would be a fifth series and he would return to write some of it after originally announcing that the fourth series would be his last. It has not been officially announced by ITV when the fifth series will commence broadcasting.
| Actor | Character | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Pemberton | Mick Garvey | 2007– | Mick is the lazy, uncouth and sarcastic patriach of the Garvey clan. In the first series he is followed to Benidorm by social security staff who discover he is feigning disability. At the end of series three, Mick becomes the owner of all of Mel's UK sunbed shops after Mel signs them over to him before relocating to Benidorm with Madge. In series four, Mick, and the rest of the Garveys, help Madge as she suffers financial bankruptcy in the aftermath of Mel's tragic death. |
| Siobhan Finneran | Janice Garvey (née Barron) | 2007– | Janice is the doting mother of the Garvey family. She is the only daughter to remain in contact with her mother, despite this Janice is often at the end of her mothers personal barbed remarks. She has a tendency to poke her nose into the business of the other guests and ask her husband banal questions while he is trying to relax. In series 4, Janice struggles with her feelings when old flame Johnny Neptune re-enters her life. |
| Sheila Reid | Madge Harvey (previously Barron) | 2007– | Madge is the scornful and cantankerous mother of Janice. She seems somewhat misanthropic by nature and is unafraid to show her dislike for everyone, particularly her son-in-law Mick and granddaughter Chantelle. She has a habit of making faux pas such as confusing beef medallions with beef curtains. She travels everywhere in Benidorm on a mobility scooter, despite not actually needing one. Madge is widowed and becomes the sole proprietor of the Benidorm Palace when her husband of two years, Mel, dies offscreen during the 2010 Christmas special. In series 4, Madge suffers financial bankruptcy after Mel's posthumous business deals leave her thousands in debt, forcing her to sell her hilltop Altea mansion to Cilla Black and the Benidorm Palace, to pay off a majority of her debts. Her family arrive in Benidorm to find her living incognito in a caravan park, living off state benefits, practically destitute. They help eliminate her debts with both Scary Mary, (Denise Welch) and Mr Pink, (Melvyn Hayes), both big time Benidorm gangsters, and a last-minute bet with the latter saw Madge eliminate her debt, and gain 3,000 euros. With her prize money, Madge has decided to rebuild Mel Harvey Leisure Industries by purchasing a failing bar and turning it around, to regain money (the bar is on the same site as Mel's mobility scooter shop, which burnt down on its opening night in summer 2009, and she feels this is a sign from Mel from beyond the grave.) The bar was named Mels Bar and had picture of him on the logo. |
| Oliver Stokes | Michael Garvey | 2007– | Michael is the young son of the Garvey family with a habit of asking the meaning of crude terms he overhears from his family, usually Madge who has said it unintentionally. |
| Kenny Ireland | Donald Stewart | 2007– | Donald is a Scottish pensioner with a penchant for swinging. He and his wife Jacqueline are very open about telling the other tourists about their many sexual escapades. According to Donald they have been coming to the Hotel since the early 1980s. In series 4, he claims to have only three months left to live, however in the final episode of the series it is revealed he is not dying and it was all a con by faking his own death and fleeing to Morocco. |
| Janine Duvitski | Jacqueline Stewart | 2007– | Jacqueline is Donald's wife and like him she also shares a penchant for swinging. She has a fondness for crosswords and often asks Donald for the answers. He usually gives ridiculous (such as Bruce Forsyth to 'television heartthrob') and sometimes smutty answers that she believes without question. She also confuses people with similar names, thinking that Terry Wogan was chained to a radiator instead of Terry Waite. |
| Hugh Sachs | Gavin Ramsbottom | 2007– | Gavin is a camp, over-weight hairdresser on holiday with his partner, Troy. He is by far the camper of the two and has a tendency to be 'bitchy'. By the second series they are married. In the fourth series he returns with colleague Keneth while Troys at home comforting his dad. |
| Paul Bazely | Troy Ramsbottom | 2007– | Troy is the husband of Gavin who also works with him. In the first series, Troy was caught having a fling with barman Mateo. Troy later got married to Gavin and continued returning to Benidorm where he met his long lost son Jamie. Troy did not go to Benidorm in the fourth series until the final episode because he was with his dying father. |
| Jake Canuso | Mateo Castellano | 2007– | Mateo is the only Spanish character in the series. He is a rude, obnoxious and arrogant womaniser who more-often-than-not gets his own way. In series 4 he ends up nbeing arrested when a policeman thought he was a prostitute whilst wearing women's clothes. In the next episode, his clothes are stolen and he has no option but to walk through Benidorm stark naked. It has been revealed he has a wife and 3 kids. In Series 5, it is revealed that Les/Leslie has been given the job as hotel manager/manageress and is so infuriated that he lashes out and starts upturning tables in the Solana lobby and is consequently dismissed by Les/Leslie. |
| Elsie Kelly | Noreen Maltby | 2007- | Noreen is the mother of Geoff and Pauline. She is a constant source of embarrassment for her son and daughter and still treats them as children. Noreen thought her son was gay and got the whole of Neptunes bar watching her sing Y.M.C.A. to her anticipated son Geoff but she was wrong. Noreen came on holiday to Benidorm at Christmas with her friend (Brian Murphy) Clive. Clive said he was an old navy pal of her late husband Ron but later declared he was an old boyfriend and later proposes to Noreen. Nothing more is said about Clive and Noreen but on Noreen's Facebook page she had said she was happily married living with Clive |
| Tim Healy | Les/Lesley Marshall | 2009, 2010– | After Geoff tries to meet a woman on the internet he ends up dating a Lesley, a man in drag with a thick Geordie accent. Then, he gives Janice, Mick and Michael a lift to Madge's house, ordered by Mel who later dies. In series 4, he is seen working at the Solana's resort. He is usually delivering drinks from the poolside bar to guests and usually dresses up as Lesley while doing so. In Series 5, he is made Solana manager/manageress after the departure of Janey York (Crissy Rock) which infuriates Mateo (Jake Canuso) and therefore he dismisses him. |
| Adam Gillen | Liam Marshall | 2011– | Liam is the son of Les and has taken a keen romantic interest in Natalie. On his discount holiday from his dad at the Solana, Liam bothers Natalie all day long to go out with her. Natalie decides to go out with Liam to a club but it is spoiled by her best friend Sam breaking her leg. Liam still bothers Natalie for most the holiday until she finally reveals she was going out with Mateo. Liam was devastated and later decides to stay in Spain with his dad and becomes friends with Natalie and Sam at the end. |
| Kathryn Drysdale | Natalie Jones | 2011– | Natalie is the friend of Sam and has been to the Solana before. The last time Natalie came to Benidorm, she went out with Mateo however when she finished her holiday she never heard from him again. When Natalie returns for her first appearance in the fourth series, she is ignored by Mateo but has an admirer in Liam, although she isn't interested in him. Later on in the series Natalie makes up with Mateo but later decides its the end as she finds out he has a wife and 3 kids. |
| Shelley Longworth | Sam Wood | 2011– | Sam is fat, moody and hard and is Natalie's best friend. Sam dislikes Mateo and Liam and if they come near her she gets angry and usually scares them off. Sam broke her leg while she was drunk in a club, which later resulted in no holiday romance. She thought that she had a fling with Mateo in a shower cubicle but later found out it was some old man. At the end of series 4, Sam becomes friends with Liam. |
| Tony Maudsley | Kenneth | 2011– | Kenneth is a gay overweight colleague of Troy and Gavin. He arrives with Gavin for the first time at the Solana after Troy is at home comforting his dad. Kenneth takes advantage of Gavin and tries to get as much out of his free holiday as possible. Kenneth takes Gavin to "The Benidorm Museum Of Culture" and then sarcastically finds out its been closed for years and then takes him to a gay nudist beach. |
| Selina Griffiths | Pauline Mamood (née Maltby) | 2011– | Alcoholic Pauline is the daughter of Noreen and has come on holiday with her mother to catch up after living for ten years in South Africa and two years in Dubai, before she moves back to the UK. Pauline has laid off the alcohol for a while but got a craving in the Solana to release the pain from her soon to be divorced husband. Noreen was devastated and asked the Solana to not serve her alcohol but Pauline finds out and goes mad. Pauline was very worried if she would have a penny to her name or not from her divorced husband but at the end of series 4 finds out all her money has been saved. |
| Actor | Character | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Vegas | Geoff Maltby (aka The Oracle) | 2007–2009 | Geoff is a petulant middle aged man who acts more akin to a spoiled adolescent. He refers to himself as The Oracle claiming to be the reigning Lancashire pub quiz champion. His claims to be a champion in other areas that become more ludicrous as the series progresses, such as being North West indoor hang-gliding champion, and being on the diving team for the 2012 Olympic Games. In series two and three he becomes enticed by Chantelle. During the 2010 Christmas special, Geoff's mother Noreen receives an unseen text message from him, sending her his Christmas wishes. It is also revealed that he has entered a proper relationship with Chantelle, and he lives with her and baby Coolio. |
| Abigail Cruttenden | Kate Weedon | 2007–2008, 2009 | Kate, along with her husband Martin, are the only middle-class characters in the series. Kate constantly complains about everything and henpecks her husband. In the first series she had an affair with Mateo. After Brandy leaves, Kate comes over to Benidorm to see her husband but leaves afterwards. |
| Nicholas Burns | Martin Weedon | 2007–2009 | Martin is the long-suffering husband of Kate. He is the slightly more optimistic one of the couple. In series three he is with Brandy who is a brazen gold-digger. Martin describes himself as been 'privately educated' and from a 'highly privileged background'. |
| Hannah Hobley | Chantelle 'Telle' Garvey | 2007–2009 | Chantelle is the adolescent daughter of the Garvey family. She is pregnant in the first series and in the second series she has a young mixed-race son, Coolio. She is usually at the end of insulting and barbed comments from her nana, Madge. She becomes romantically interested in Geoff in series two and three. In the 2010 Christmas special, it is revealed that she has entered a proper relationship with Geoff and she and Coolio "sends their love" to Noreen in Geoff's Christmas text message to her, also revealing that she now lives with Geoff, along with her infant son Coolio. |
| Crissy Rock | Janey York | 2007–2011 [1] | Janey is the manageress of the Solana and runs a low budget cabaret. She is loudmouthed, miserable and bossy. While the hotel is all-inclusive, Janey tries to rip the residents off by high priced TV rentals and activities. |
| Geoffrey Hutchings | Mel Harvey | 2008–2009 | Mel appears in the second series as Madge's fiancée. Mel is as rude as Madge and is despised by the Garvey family. Mel is an affluent man who started his business empire from a bakery in Kirkstall, he now has a chain of five tanning shops in Greater Manchester, which he tells everyone who will listen about. In the third series he owns a shop in Benidorm renting mobility scooters something Mick describes as a business 'renting scooters to fat alcoholics who are too lazy to walk to the pub'. By the third series he is seen to get on with Madge's grandson Michael but is still brisk and pompous with everyone else. After Mick works for him in Benidorm he begins to get on better with him. Hutchings died in July 2010. The characters' absence from the 2010 Christmas special is explained by the Garveys who say Mel "is away on business in Marrakech". Mel's second-in-command and son-in-law Mick and Mel's wife Madge receives several unheard mobile phone calls from Mel, explaining that his flight has been delayed and he has to take the next flight the following day. Mick would later confide in Janice that he has being lying to Madge about the reason why Mel hasn't made it home for Christmas; the true reason was Mel had been hospitalised whilst over in Marrakech, and had been so for three days, leaving him incapable of returning to Benidorm for Christmas. At the end of the Christmas special, Mick receives another mobile phone call from the Marrakech hospital telling him that Mel had died, on his 71st birthday (25 December 2010), leaving him with the unfortunate duty to break the news to Mel's widow Madge, as well as wife Janice and son Michael. The Garveys are grief-stricken at the news. It is also revealed that Mel has posthumously fulfilled his promise to grandson Michael, and gave him the white Christmas he wished for, by organising for oddjob man, transvestite Les/Lesley, to operate a fake snow machine from the roof of the Benidorm Palace. |
| Elliott Jordan | Jack | 2008–2009 | Jack owns and runs a bar and cafe in Benidorm with his unseen sister. He meets and falls for Janice in the second series, and urges her to elope with him. He is last seen tied and gagged in the boot of his own car, after fainting when confronting a fugitive. |
| Margi Clarke | Dorothy | 2008 | Dorothy is Gavin's mother who turns up and kisses Martin to get Mateo to not like her. She then leaves suddenly letting Gavin down. |
| Ella Kenion | Con Woman | 2007 | She approaches the Garvey's asking them for payment on the beach's sun-bed's so Mick gives her €20 and later she approaches Gavin and Troy asking them for €30 to help her ill son but Janice sees her and has a fight with her and gets their money back. |
| Una Stubbs | Diana | 2009 | Diana is Martin's mother. She is upper-class and stands out as being of a different social status even more than her son. She offends many of the guests through her brusque manner. Donald and Jacqueline incorrectly believe her to be an old friend on the Middlesbrough bondage scene. |
| Denise Welch | Scary Mary | 2011 | Scary Mary appears in Episode 1 of Series 4, She is chasing Madge Harvey for money owed by her husband, While she is at the Solana's Resort she Karate kicks Les/Lesley into the pool, Later she is knocked out by Janice leaving it unclear what happens to her later. |
| Stuart McGugan | Wink McAndrew | 2009 | Wink McAndrew is an old friend of Donald who has a heavy Glaswegian accent. His boorish tricks and jokes make him an unpopular character with the holiday-makers, with Donald eventually finding him as annoying as everyone else does. He is accidentally electrocuted in the last episode of series 3, which Donald describes as 'probably for the best'. |
| Sheridan Smith | Brandy | 2009 | Brandy is a crook and a gold-digger who latches onto Martin in series three after his break-up with Kate. She eventually robs him, and most of the other guests at the Solana. |
| Robin Askwith | Gary | 2009 | Gary is the accomplice and partner of Brandy, and scams the Stewart family, before robbing the hotel and the guests at the Solana. |
| Keith Barron | Deputy Mayor | 2009 | Mel and Mick go to see the deputy mayor of Benidorm to get permission to buy the Benidorm Palace. Thinking he would be a Spaniard they were surprised to find he is actually an Englishman with a thick South Yorkshire accent, a contempt for the locals and a habit of using foul language in every other sentence. |
| Wendy Richard | Sylvia | 2008 | Sylvia is the foul-mouthed mother of Kelly. She is like Madge in many ways and rides around on a mobility scooter. To some extent she is Madge's southern counterpart. Madge mistakenly believes Sylvia to be interested in Mel and the two have a poolside altercation. |
| Niky Wardley | Kelly | 2007–2008 | Kelly is a young Cockney girl who works at the hotel. She is engaged to Mateo in series one but breaks with him after he has an affair with Kate. Kelly is friends with Donald and Jacqueline after knowing them from the many years they have come to the hotel. |
| Louie Spence | Marvin | 2010 | Louie Spence plays Marvin, one of the Middlesbrough Swingers Association, in the 2010 Christmas Special. |
| Su Pollard | Su Pollard | 2010 | Su Pollard arrives as a star for Mel but Madge tells her to get out as she does so. |
| Brian Murphy | Clive Maltby (Previously Mitchell) | 2010 | Posh, shy and gentle Clive appeared in the 2010 Christmas special. Clive told Noreen he was an old navy pal of her late husband Ron. Noreen believes him but Noreen received a text saying Geoff did not approve of Clive.
Clive later declares in the Christmas Show he wasn't a navy pal and was an old boyfriend in a bow tie that Noreen remembered from her first proposal. Clive in his early days was said to have come up to Noreen every week in a dance hall exclaiming "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever clapped eyes on". Noreen remembered him and in the Benidorm Palace Clive tells her his old saying and proposes again. Nothing more is said in Benidorm about Clive as Noreen returns in the 4th series with her daughter Pauline. |
| Cilla Black | Cilla Black | 2011 | Cilla Black buys the Benidorm Villa off Madge sometime between Christmas and February 2011, She finds the Garveys inside her house and threatens to call the police, When talking to the Garveys Donald arrives from upstairs and explains the situation, The Garveys then leave the house. |
| Neil Fitzmaurice | Lucky Kev | 2011 | This man first appears when Madge arrives back at the Caravan park to tell her that the Caravan has been towed, He later arrived at the Solana Hotel to tell Madge that her landlord was after her and for her not to return to the Caravan park, But it is later revealed by Scary Mary (Denise Welch) that he had grassed her up to her. |
| Melvyn Hayes | Mr Pink | 2011 | Mr Pink appears in Series 4 Episode 3. He has taken over Mel's debt and says that he will kill Madge if he does not call him within two hours. |
| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 1 February 2007 | 5.86 |
| All the cast is introduced to the Solana hotel, but a big shock is on the way for the Garvey family. | |||||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 8 February 2007 | 4.86 |
| The Garvey family is calming down after discovering Chantelle's secret pregnancy. Meanwhile, Martin and Kate take a trip into Benidorm, with disastrous results, and Geoff is attempting to break a world record. | |||||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 15 February 2007 | 3.88 |
|
Kelly, who works at The Solana, reveals to Donald and Jacqueline that she is engaged to Mateo, despite this, Mateo is too busy occupied flirting with Kate. First Appearance of: Niky Wardley as Kelly (also her only appearance in Series 1). |
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| 4 | "Episode 4" | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 22 February 2007 | 4.02 |
| Madge is tricked into believing that Donald and Jacqueline are a sociable couple, only they mistake Madge for a swinger, and things get out of hand. Meanwhile Janice is suspicious about Mick. | |||||
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 1 March 2007 | 3.79 |
| It's quiz night at The Solana, and the Oracle (a.k.a Geoff) believes that this is his big moment. | |||||
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 8 March 2007 | 4.13 |
| After the Garveys win the quiz, they decide to go to the beach, though Madge has invited Donald and Jacqueline, much to the disapproval of Mick. Later back at The Solana, Kate is scarred for life when an incident occurs in the swimming pool, and a hidden secret of Mick's is revealed to the Garveys. | |||||
| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 28 March 2008 | 7.14 |
|
The regulars have returned for another holiday at The Solana in Benidorm. The Garveys are joined this time by Madge's new boyfriend Mel, and Chantelle's baby son, Coolio. Martin and Kate are back, or at least in Altea, which turns out worse than they expected. Later, a little competition between Mel and Geoff turns into a tragic incident. First Appearances of: Geoffrey Hutchings as Mel, and Coolio |
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| 2 | "Episode 2" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 4 April 2008 | 6.05 |
| Martin and Kate provide babycare for Coolio, while Mel's recovery might not of helped his singing voice, and Mel asks Madge the most important question of their relationship. | |||||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 11 April 2008 | 5.59 |
| Madge and Janice's relationship wobbles as Janice persuade Madge not to marry Mel. While Geoff and Noreen organise their very own arm-wrestling competion, which settles some old scores. | |||||
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 11 April 2008 | 6.29 |
| The holiday-makers take a coach-trip to a bull-fight, Janey tries to persuade them to buy a juicer, which Mel accepts, only the bull-fight proves something everyone has, Great Expectations. But Geoff and Chantelle stay behind, and their relationship deepens. | |||||
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 25 April 2008 | 5.70 |
|
Kellys back in town, and Mateo is like a dog chasing its tail, it'll never reach it. But Madge 2, also known as Sylvia, Kelly's mum and Madge's southern counterpart, is in town. And in a mix up with Mel, Sylvia faces the wrath of Madge in a Sundown Showdown. Final Appearance of: Niky Wardley as Kelly Note: Only appearance of Wendy Richard as Sylvia |
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| 6 | "Episode 6" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 2 May 2008 | 5.21 |
|
In a last stand, Mick takes on Mel and Janice takes on Madge and both try to ward them off from the wedding. Janice says the wrong thing and finally loses Madge's respect. Mick has also upset Janice, not that he remembers its their 10th wedding anniversary. Note:- Last appearance of Kelly. First appearance of Jack |
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| 7 | "Episode 7" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 9 May 2008 | 5.57 |
|
Things are serious for Martin, not only has Kate taken all her possesions and luggage and disappeared, Gavin's mum uses him as a target for warding off Mateo, much to Martin's disapproval. Gavin spends some quality time with his mum Dorothy. Note:- Only appearance of Dorothy. |
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| 8 | "Episode 8" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 16 May 2008 | 6.32 |
| Its the wedding day! But Mel and Madge's night before was ruined, after they discovered they was on a very unappropriate beach. However as the wedding goes on, interuptions from Jack, Janice's stalker, as well as Martin, and a final diasterous accident ends the cermony altougher. | |||||
| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sp1 | "The Special" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 31 May 2009 | 5.23 |
|
Prepare for one of the biggest episodes ever, this includes, Guns, Drugs, Rooftop Drama, Hospitals, Police and Helicopters. But, will Mel survive? Will Mick be imprisoned for life? And will Enrique The Rat Lopez be caught by police?. Note:- Only appearance of Enrique. Last appearance of Jack. |
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| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 2 October 2009 | 6.50 |
|
Our favourite holidaymakers return to Benidorm, after being offered a free holiday as a peace offering because of the rooftop drama at The Solana the previous year. Mel has set-up a mobility shop in the centre of the holiday resort, with a special grand opening ahead. Martin returns, but this time without Kate as they have spilt up. So instead, a blonde-scouser girl joins him by the name of Brandy. First Appearance of: Sheridan Smith as Brandy |
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| 2 | "Episode 2" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 9 October 2009 | 6.17 |
|
The holiday-makers take a trip to the waterfalls of Callosa, where Mick starts a war with the rest of his family. First Appearance of: Tim Healy as Les/Leslie |
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| 3 | "Episode 3" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 16 October 2009 | 6.38 |
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Geoff takes the next step in his love life, while Brandy seduces Mateo, unbeknownst to Martin. While the Garveys and Harveys take a trip to Peacock Island, which Mel takes a personal interest into. Note:- Last appearance of Leslie, in series 3. |
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| 4 | "Episode 4" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 23 October 2009 | 6.68 |
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One of Madge's daughters, Valda, stays at the Solana with her husband, Vikram. A new face called Gary enters, who Brandy takes an interest to, and both hatch a plan. Final Appearance of: Sheridan Smith as Brandy Note: Only appearance of Robin Askwith as Gary |
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| 5 | "Episode 5" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 30 October 2009 | 6.61 |
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The Harveys and Garveys take a trip to the Benidorm Palace, whilst Gavin has suspiscions that Troy is cheating on him. Meanwhile, Martin's mum, Diana, and Kate make a surprise visit to Benidorm, to bail Martin out. Note: First appearance of Abigail Cruttenden as Kate Weedon (since Series 2, Episode 8) and only appearance of Una Stubbs as Diana. |
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| 6 | "Episode 6" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6 November 2009 | 6.80 |
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Madge & Mel have their hearts set on a new business venture in Bendiorm. Meanwhile, romantic feelings between Geoff and Chantelle run high, Martin has one last chance to persuade Kate to re-build their relationship, and an old friend of Donald and Jacqueline's by the name of Wink McAndrew arrives at The Solana and causes trouble with his sense of humour. Final Appearances of: Geoffrey Hutchings as Mel Harvey, Johnny Vegas as Geoff Maltby, Hannah Hobley as Chantelle Garvey, Nicholas Burns as Martin Weedon, Abigail Cruttenden as Kate Weedon, and Coolio. Note: Only appearance of Stuart McGugan as Wink McAndrew. |
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| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sp2 | "Christmas Special" | Derren Litten | John Henderson | 26 December 2010 | 7.41 |
|
The Garveys arrive Benidorm to spend Christmas with Madge at her luxurious villa, whilst Les/Leslie has been hired by Madge to track down the special guest for The Benidorm Palace's Christmas show, Su Pollard. Meanwhile, Noreen has returned to stay at The Solana but this time with a gentleman called Clive, who claims he was an old friend of Noreen's late husband, and Donald and Jacqueline have brought all members of the Middlesbrough Swingers Association to stay with them at The Solana. Note: Only appearances of Su Pollard as Herself, Brian Murphy as Clive, and Louie Spence as Marvin. |
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| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 25 February 2011 | 8.22 |
|
The Garveys are back in Benidorm to discover that Madge has mysteriously disappeared - with her villa sold to Cilla Black and The Benidorm Palace also sold off too. Meanwhile, Les/Leslie has got a new job as a barman at the Solana, much to Mateo's disapproval. Liam (Les's son) fancies Natalie, who is accompanied by her close friend Sam. Kenneth, an employee at Troy & Gavin's salon back, has joined Gavin, taking Troy's place due to his long lost father critically ill in hospital back in the UK. First Appearances of: Adam Gillen as Liam Marshall, Kathryn Drysdale as Natalie Jones, Shelley Longworth as Sam Wood, Tony Maudsley as Kenneth, and Neil Fitzmaurice as Lucky Kev. Note: Only appearances of Cilla Black as Herself, and Denise Welch as Scary Mary. |
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| 2 | "Episode 2" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 4 March 2011 | 7.70 |
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Noreen returns to Benidorm, this time with her daughter, Pauline, who has just gone through a divorce with her husband. Later, The Garveys, Noreen and Pauline visit a water park, where several arguments occur between Mick and Pauline. Meanwhile, Madge goes for a new makeover, whilst Natalie, Sam and Liam go out to a club. First Appearance of: Selina Griffiths as Pauline Mamood (née Maltby) |
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| 3 | "Episode 3" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 11 March 2011 | 7.06 |
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Mel's debt has been taken on by Mr Pink's mafia, which leads to a showdown between Madge & Mr. Pink. Back at The Solana, Donald is taken to hospital during a water areobics session after suffering an attack in the pool, which puts Mateo's job under threat. Note: Only appearance of Melvyn Hayes as Mr Pink. |
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| 4 | "Episode 4" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 25 March 2011 | 6.98 |
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A freak thunderstorm hits Benidorm, leaving a lot of rooms in The Solana flooded. Emotions run high for Janice when Johnny Neptune, an old flame of Janice's appears at The Solana. Meanwhile, Gavin and Kenneth are in for a shock from Donald and Jacqueline, whilst Michael is in love. Note: Only appearance of Ian Reddington as Johnny Neptune. |
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| 5 | "Episode 5" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 1 April 2011 | 6.83 |
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It's eighties night at The Solana, featuring a performance from Bananarama. Madge is tipped about a pub in Benidorm that needs buying. Meanwhile, Les/Leslie asks Mateo a favour, which could possibly ruin his reputation. Gavin & Kenneth go on an outing, the bar staff are refusing to serve Pauline alcoholic drinks, and it is the conclusion of Liam's quest to woo Natalie. Note: Special Guest Appearance of Bananarama |
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| 6 | "Episode 6" | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 8 April 2011 | 6.53 |
| Madge's deal of buying the pub she was tipped about is complete, with the possibility of The Garveys staying in Benidorm permanently. Meanwhile, Jacqueline receives some devastating news, and Natalie is in for a shock when the truth about Mateo's private life is revealed. | |||||
Viewing figures from the Christmas special onwards include the ITV1 HD simulcast audiences.
A fifth series of Benidorm has been confirmed and is in development for broadcast in 2012.
| # | Title | Writers | Director | Original air date | Viewing figures (million)[1] |
|---|
Series Five will contain 7 Episodes. Viewing figures from the Christmas special onwards include the ITV1 HD simulcast audiences.
It has been confirmed by several websites that a film version will be made for 2013 featuring all the regular cast members and celebrity guests.
The first series of Benidorm proved to be a fairly modest hit for ITV - with critics saying things like: "beautifully written and performed" and "a gem of wry observation in withering bad taste".[2] Paul Jackson, ITV's director of Entertainment and Comedy, talking about Series Two adds: "Derren has once again written a wonderful series of scripts. All the characters we loved in the first series are back with even more outrageous storylines and stunts. The cast really are some of the best comedy talent we have in the UK and I'm thrilled we have some very fantastic new additions".[2] Heat Magazine have also commented by saying ITV's biggest sitcom hit for years and The Sunday Express commented Benidorm Really Is Funny- Hilarious in fact. The Second Series proved to be a even bigger hit for ITV with The Times saying Benidorm Keeps getting better and better.
Benidorm was filmed at the Hotel Sol Pelicanos-Ocas in Benidorm and many of the extras featured in the series are local expats.[3] The Neptune Bar, where most of the cabaret scenes are shown, was shot in Morgan's Tavern across the road from the hotel due to lack of space in the hotel bars. The reception area and rooms shown on screen were shot in the secondary reception and rooms of the Buena Vista apartments.
| DVD Title | Disc # | Year | Episode # | DVD release date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 2 | Region 4 | |||||
| Complete Series 1 | 1 | 2007 | 6 | 28 April 2008 | 4 May 2010 | |
| Complete Series 2 | 2 | 2008 | 8 | 17 November 2008 | — | |
| The 2009 Special | 1 | 2009 | 1 | 1 June 2009 | — | |
| Complete Series 3 | 2 | 2009 | 6 | 9 November 2009 | — | |
| Complete Series 1 & 2 | 3 | 2007 & 2008 | 14 | 17 November 2008 | — | |
| Complete Series 1 - 3 | 6 | 2007 - 2009 | 21 | 9 November 2009 | — | |
| Christmas Special | 1 | 2010 | 1 | 10 January 2011 | — | |
| Complete Series 4 | 2 | 2011 | 6 | 14 November 2011 | — | |
| Complete Series 1 - 4 | 9 | 2007 - 2011 | 27 | 14 November 2011 | — | |
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | National Television Awards | "Best Comedy Programme" | Won |
| 2011 | National Television Awards | "Best Comedy Programme" | Won |
| 2012 | National Television Awards | "Best Comedy Programme" | Pending |