Sunny delight as Benidorm Live brings smiles, sea and sangria to Scotland

FEAR not, Benidorm fans, for rumours of the show’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Reports earlier this year claimed the ITV hit comedy had been axed after 10 series.

But the sun hasn’t set for the final time over the resort-based sitcom – instead, two of its stars believe the show’s longevity will see it carry on for many years to come.

Visiting Edinburgh to chat about a stage version of the beloved show, Sherrie Hewson, who plays hotel boss Joyce Temple-Savage, and Tony Maudsley, better known as hairdresser Kenneth, said there’s much more to come from the comedy – both on stage and screen.

“Derren Litten, the show’s creator and writer, had always planned to have a break from the TV series,” explained Tony.

“He writes nine hours of TV a year, a huge task for one person, so this was a planned hiatus.

“Sections of the media have been cancelling it since series four, and here we are heading towards series 11.”

Sherrie said: “The reaction to it from certain places was one of snobbery and that’s always been there. The Carry On films are a perfect example, yet now they are correctly revered.

“We have lots of variety stars such as Cannon & Ball who have guested in the show and there are other programmes featuring these acts again, like Last Laugh In Vegas.

“There is a recognised resurgence in those acts and Derren was ahead of that, but these entertainers shouldn’t have been sent off to the dark in the first place.

“Michael Barrymore was brilliant in his day. I used to watch people like Barrymore and Russ Abbot and I was amazed at their timing and how they could use an audience.

“Hopefully, a lot of my timing comes from them.”

The show has won a number of honours, including five National Television Awards and two TV Choice Awards.

And Tony feels the critics are no longer so hard on the show.

“Things are turning round. There is not so much of a slagging from the critics but the public showed they weren’t going to listen to them anyway.

“Derren doesn’t apologise for what it is and the best compliment you could give him would be to say the show is like a Carry On film.

“For years that kind of comedy was sent into the dark and we could only give a wry smile to Oxbridge comedies. Now Derren is giving us belly laughs again.

“Times are bleak enough without people being told they shouldn’t be laughing at this type of show.”

Hull-born Derren met Catherine Tate while they were acting students and he went on to write for her sketch show.

Its success led to a script commission from comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins, who told Derren to write anything he wanted, “as long as it’s funny”.

He decided to write about the staff and holidaymakers of an all-inclusive Spanish holiday resort, the Solana, and its in-house bar, Neptune’s. The rest is history.

Beginning life as a late night half-hour comedy, the show has changed over the years, moving to a 9pm hour-long primetime slot and featuring an evolving cast.

“Like a holiday resort, people come and go,” Tony smiled. “Derren refreshes it often.

“Neptune’s is our Rovers Return – the place is the star and we are the current proprietors.

“Derren is very protective of the show. If he isn’t happy with the way it’s heading, he’ll stop it. He is very much in control.

“Derren being the custodian is probably why it’s lasted for more than 10 years and I believe it could go on for several more.”

Next up for Benidorm is the stage show, which as well as Sherrie and Tony features familiar cast members Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Adam Gillen (Liam) and Shelley Longworth (Sam).

Sherrie said: “It had been talked about for 18 months and there was chat about it while we were filming the 10th series, but then it seemed to be confirmed quite suddenly.

“We’re so thrilled, because we’re following in the footsteps of all those wonderful sitcoms that went to the stage and it will be great to hear the confirmation from the audience of what we do.”

Tony continued: “We have this brilliant revolving set, featuring the reception, salon, even a swimming pool – although it’s not one I’d try to dive into!”

“The second half of the show is purely Neptune’s and the audience will be part of it – we might even bring some on stage for karaoke,” Sherrie smiled.

“Everyone will be up on their feet by the end.”

Tony said: “One of the big differences between the stage show and TV programme is that characters will be bursting into song.

“So not only have you got one of the best episodes Derren has ever written, but you also have a play and a musical.

“We’ve been blown away by the response so far – the tour was only supposed to be four months but it’s been doubled to eight.”

The production receives its world premiere at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal on September 7 and, 10 days later, the party comes to Edinburgh’s Playhouse. The tour also visits Glasgow and Aberdeen next year.

And once the tour ends, Sherrie and Tony say the cast will be on a plane bound for the real Benidorm to record the 11th series.

“Hopefully we’ll get a week off,” Tony smiled.

“But if needs must, we might have to go straight out after the final performance.”

The show has become famous for its array of notable guest stars, and Tony and Sherrie insist some famous cameos are very much a possibility in the stage show, too.

But they each have a list of their favourite guests from the TV series – as well as who they would love to see make an appearance in a future episode.

“My character is obsessed with Tom Daley,” Tony laughed. “So I would love to have him walk around the pool one day, and I’d love to see Posh and Becks make an emergency landing and the Solana was the only place left with a room. I could do her hair in the salon!

“Bananarama, who were guests in my first series, were a great laugh.

“Joan Collins was brilliant, too. She was there when we did the Royal Variety Performance and summoned us to her dressing room – where she introduced us as her staff!”

Sherrie added: “I fell in love with Tony Hadley in the last series and one of my biggest favourites is Matthew Kelly, one of the nicest men in the business.

“I would love Judi Dench and Maggie Smith to appear, as they both have wicked senses of humour. Maybe they could come in as my aunts.

“Every single person who has guest starred wants to stay, because they all love it so much and so do the fans.

“Coming on stage to a full house of Benidormers at the Playhouse will be like nothing else – the feeling will be magical and we can’t wait.”

Benidorm Live, Edinburgh Playhouse, Sept 17-22. Glasgow and Aberdeen dates will follow in 2019