Press clippings Page 4

The finale of a series that's a bit broad and overdone but fills a scheduling hole amiably enough. Tonight, transvestite Les (a good turn from Tim Healy) discovers some of Donald's clothing at a nudist beach, but no Donald, who has left a note for Jacqueline. Madge is about to open her new bar, the aptly and exotically titled Batley Arms. Hilarity of sorts results from a family trip to a theme park, while Pauline, tensely awaiting news of her divorce, decides to ease matters with a drink. Same time next year, one supposes.

David Stubbs, The Guardian, 8th April 2011

Quite a dolorous entry for this fourth season of Benidorm. Yes, there are still ample doses of vulgarity, bad behaviour (alcoholic Pauline goes on a bender) and eye-watering cross-dressing (Tim Healy's Lesley does country and western). Otherwise, the storm cloud over the Solana Resort mirrors the mood of the holiday-makers. Donald gets even worse health news, young Michael and nitwit Liam are unlucky in love, while Johnny Neptune (Ian Reddington) turns up and gives Janice the shock of her life. Be it gutsy karaoke, almost heroic head-butting or controlled heartache, this series has demanded much of Mrs Garvey, and Siobhan Finneran is simply magnificent.

Patrick Mulkern, Radio Times, 25th March 2011

Among the new arrivals this week are dear old Noreen, better known as Geoff's Mum before Johnny Vegas left the series. Tonight, she has in tow the obnoxious Pauline, whose accent has been mangled by residencies in South Africa and then Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Nick breaks the awkward silence with Madge concerning her current plight, and a not very plausible ginger-haired halfwit continues to pursue the ladies. It's not exactly Alan Bennett, but it proceeds amiably enough from one well-worn double entendre to the next - and Tim Healy's transvestite barman alone banishes the temptation to channel-hop.

David Stubbs, The Guardian, 4th March 2011

If you enjoyed Glee's homage to Lady Gaga last year, tonight you can see Benidorm's version as Lesley (Tim Healy) takes to the stage singing Poker Face.

If Glee Gaga is Prada, this is Primark. But if the performance doesn't get you laughing, nothing will. Lesley is fast becoming the highlight of this series.

Elsewhere, the double ­entendres are flying (as are the disturbing mental images created by swingers Jacqueline and Donald) and The Solana regular Noreen checks in.

This time she's brought her easily ­irritated - and very ­irritating - daughter Pauline.

She is a master of sarcasm but that behaviour is sure to get up the noses of several guests.

Cue rows that end up with Pauline and Mick in all kinds of hilarious ­situations. Well, we're sure they were funny in the scriptwriter's head.

Viewers in Scotland can see this on Sunday at 9pm, when it is repeated on ITV2.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 4th March 2011

The second episode of this saucy seaside comedy delivers more innuendo-laden material. Tonight, layabout husband Mick (Steve Pemberton) finds himself squabbling with uptight newcomer Pauline (Selina Griffiths), but their fights seem to end up with them in accidental sexual positions, much to the fury of Mick's wife Janice (Siobhan Finneran). That's about as sophisticated as it gets. The series boasts a raft of talented actors, including Tony Maudsley and Tim Healy, but relies for titters on jokes about gastric upset and the double meaning of "balls", which are about as funny as sunstroke.

Vicki Power, The Telegraph, 3rd March 2011

Cilla Black, naked in a Jacuzzi. That is the prospect dangled before our imaginations in this opener, in which the former Blind Date presenter makes a cameo appearance that's as cheerfully clunky as cheap amber jewellery. It's in keeping with the series, which feels like the funny bits of yesteryear's Coronation Street sent on permanent holiday - salt and vinegar comedy that raises as much of a wince as a smile. Tim Healy stars as a the new barman and unlikely transvestite, but it's mostly the usual faces, including leathery old Madge, who finds herself on her uppers.

David Stubbs, The Guardian, 25th February 2011

Tim Healy: 'My life in drag!'

From the sunny Spanish set of Benidorm, Tim Healy reveals the joys, and pitfalls, of portraying Les/Lesley in the hit ITV1 comedy.

What's On TV, 22nd February 2011

Derren Litten: All's Well That Starts Well

After our first week of slog I decided to hold a little BBQ at my rented villa, it was an Xmas Special party as some of the main cast aren't in the Special so they haven't arrived in Spain yet. We had the likes of Brian Murphy, Louie Spence and Tim Healy cavorting around the pool.

Derren Litten, , 1st September 2010

If you thought that George Galloway pretending to be a cat on Big Brother was bizarre, ITV1 has cranked up the weird-o-meter with this programme, which must have been conceived after a heavy-drinking session among channel executives. It involves one famous person doing an impression of another - a concept that could result in an awful abyss of ineptitude and sycophancy, with Stephen Mullhern's commentary digging it into an even deeper hole. But read this line-up and defy yourself not to be horribly compelled to watch. Joe Pasquale as Lady Gaga, David Gest as Sir Tom Jones, Jerry Hall as Katie Price, Christopher Biggins as Boris Johnson, Vanessa Feltz as James May, Tim Healy and Paul Daniels as an elderly Ant and Dec. Pardon?

Alex Hardy, The Times, 19th December 2009

This series should be sponsored by Visit Britain, because it's doing a brilliant job of persuading viewers they'd be better off holidaying at home.

Tonight there's a visit to Peacock Island - the last unspoiled bit of Benidorm - but Mel has big plans to change all that. And look out again for a brilliant guest starring role from Tim Healy, while Geoff The Oracle (Johnny Vegas) discovers the perils of online dating.

Subtle it ain't - the gags are flagged up so clearly you could probably see them from space - but Benidorm definitely has its attractions.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 16th October 2009

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