It may be the finale of the eighth series of Benidorm tonight (Monday, 22 February), but filming on the next series of the ITV comedy is due to start this month.
The current series of the sitcom, based around the staff and guests at a hotel in the Spanish holiday resort, has so far averaged 5.8 millions viewers per episode, with a 21 per cent share of Monday-night viewers.
The ninth series will see the return of the Solana hotel’s staff including boss Joyce Temple Savage (Sherrie Hewson), transvestite Les/Lesley (Tim Healy) and Spanish barman Mateo (Jake Canuso). Details of new and returning characters, guest stars and storyline will be revealed nearer to transmission.
“The storylines for the new series are wonderfully sharp and funny, capturing the very heart and sould of what’s made this comedy so successful with ITV viewers,” said ITV commissioning editor Saskia Schuster. “We’ve got some really good surprises in store for viewers.”
Meanwhile, there’s a surprise in store in tonight’s episode when Liam (Adam Gillen) makes a surprise return to the Solana and announces that he’s back in Benidorm for good.
And that will be welcome news for his dad Les, who’s been feeling down in the dumps about not being able to visit his son, who’s been working in Madrid.
The finale of the eighth series of Benidorm is on tonight at 9.00pm.
