Benidorm. Image shows from L to R: The Oracle (Johnny Vegas), Noreen Maltby (Elsie Kelly). Image credit: Tiger Aspect Productions.

Benidorm

An ensemble sitcom which focuses on the adventures of a group of British holiday makers staying at The Solana holiday resort in Spain

Genre:
Sitcom
Broadcast:
2007 - 2009  (ITV1)
Episodes:
21 (3 series)
Starring:
Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran, Nicholas Burns, Abigail Cruttenden, Sheila Reid, Hugh Sachs, Paul Bazely, Kenny Ireland, Janine Duvitski, Johnny Vegas, Elsie Kelly
Writers:
Derren Litten
Production:
Tiger Aspect Productions

The Solana holiday resort in Spain welcomes a regular group of British holiday makers each year.

They include enthusiastic middle-aged swingers Jacqueline and Donald; snobby Kate and Martin Weedon; Lancashire's pub quiz champion Geoff 'The Oracle' Maltby and his mum; Gay couple Gavin and Troy; and the loud Garvey family.

Our Review: Initially, we didn't think much of this all-star ITV1 ensemble piece when it was first broadcast back in 2007, but over time we admit it has grown into a likeable programme. Benidorm is by no means a classic, but it's not terrible either, and now acts as a very enjoyable way to relax in front of the TV. The second series contained a couple of particularly good episodes that really impressed us.

A third series saw the installments increased to an hour-long each. We were initally worried the extended-length episodes would break the show, but it turns out the extra time allowed writer Derren Litten to build up more rounded characters and situations.

It remains to been seen whether the show will be re-commissioned or not, but as it is one of ITV's only popular comedies, and has done well in the ratings, we think it quite likely the show will come back... provided the budget can be found. Watch this space.