Fittingly enough, this hotel-based comedy is never short of guests - but the arrival of Joan Collins, playing Solana CEO Crystal Hennessy-Vass is still quite a surprise. Everyone is falling over themselves, some of them literally, to say, "What are you doing here?" Crystal embraces the morning cocktails and "three-star thinking" on offer from the salon boys, and has a proposition for Mateo and some alarming ideas on how to cut the wages bill to present to Joyce. Meanwhile, the Oracle (Johnny Vegas) returns in style.

Radio Times review

As Benidorm goes, this one's a classic. Hoity Joyce takes a tumble in more ways than one and is soon elbowed out by Janey - Crissy Rock returning as the Solana's original scouse manageress. Geoff parades his new Romanian girlfriend, who believes he's a millionaire, while Jacqueline hollers through singing lessons with a cocktail pianist (none other than Bobby Crush).

But the ice in the shaker is Joan Collins, back as Solana CEO Crystal Hennessy-Vass. Unlike her debut last year, she features throughout this episode, interacting with many more characters. She hits it off with Blow & Go double act Kenneth and Liam, and there's a startling pay-off with Geoff (Johnny Vegas). Only in Benidorm!

Radio Times review

Joyce has survived her botched facial at the hands of Kenneth and wants to know exactly what was injected into her skin. The delusional Geoff (Johnny Vegas) builds bridges with the Dykes but only makes an even bigger fool of himself - in a bizarre incident involving hot coals. Les's embittered ex-wife Gloria (Denise Black) tries to lure their son Liam back to Oldham, while Jacqueline and gloomy Glynn gatecrash a pilota ball game.

An eventful episode then, but almost mirth-free as Benidorm paddles in ever shallower waters. And Janine Duvitski looks bereft paired with Alan David in place of her comedy partner, Kenny Ireland.

Radio Times review

From the tweaked title sequence alone you'll notice there's been a major cast shake-up. Last week, we bid a poignant adios to the Garveys, and in their place there's a welcome return for Elsie Kelly as daffy Noreen (who had to miss the last series) and for Johnny Vegas, last seen five years ago as her son, Geoff, aka "the Oracle". An inveterate quiz-champ, he's in an especially obnoxious temper.

Clive's ultra-crude sister Terri also shows up and gets the hots for Mateo after he flattens her with a lemon, while Joyce demands Botox treatment from Kenneth - and lives to regret it. This cartoonish episode is almost a return to vintage form.

Joan Collins took Benidorm role as her sister is a fan

Joan Collins got a part in the hit comedy Benidorm because sister Jackie is a fan. Jackie, 77, took a box set to 81-year-old Joan's LA home. After watching it for four hours, a giggling Jackie rang creator Derren Litten.

Steve Pemberton on quitting Benidorm

Steve Pemberton has spoken of the "difficult decision" to leave Benidorm alongside his on-screen family.

Radio Times review

Hola! to the Solana resort and its gallery of grotesques for seven more instalments of smut in the sun. Benidorm is well past its best, no doubt about that, but if you're as fond of the regulars as I am, this annual reunion is as cheering as a blow-out with a bunch of old buddies.

Transvestite Lesley and randy Mateo lead a workers' revolt when Joyce slashes their pay. But sniff closely and there's a whiff of transition in the air. Only the male Dykes check in this year; a fax from the US signposts the imminent exit of core family, the Garveys; and swinger Jacqueline has a new man in her life. (Her hubby Donald has been written out; sadly, the lovely actor Kenny Ireland wasn't well enough to film and he died in July 2014.)

On a happier note, later in the run Johnny Vegas will return as slobby Geoff, after a five-year break, along with Elsie Kelly as his daffy mum, Noreen.

Amanda Barrie: Benidorm is like the modern Carry On

Amanda Barrie has said ITV comedy Benidorm is the modern-day equivalent to the Carry On films.

Benidorm preview

Luckily Benidorm has yet to outstay its welcome, and from what I've seen so far of series seven it's shaping up to be one of the strongest series yet even if it does begin with a tinge of sadness as we bid a fond farewell to one of the series' most loved families.

Siobhan Finneran & Steve Pemberton on leaving Benidorm

"It's been heartbreaking to leave Benidorm!"