Last night the much awaited and eagerly anticipated 6th series of the ITV hit comedy series Benidorm returned to our screens - and it certainly didn´t disappoint. All the old favourites have returned in addition to a new family, the Dykes, who have already made quite an impression!

It must be one of the few times we have seen Madge walking and without her scooter - but fear not, it arrived by the end of the episode. Benidorm wouldn´t be Benidorm without the iconic Madge-Mobile - for a minute I thought Derren had prior knowledge of the new laws on the hiring of them, but then Madge is a lady of a certain age and would have been exempt!

Airport arrivals in the centre of Benidorm

The set boys had been very busy in this first episode, recreating an extremely realistic airport arrivals hall in the building next door to the Pink House - which is the location of the Solana reception. The majority of filming is split between there, the pool of the Sol Pelicanos hotel and Morgan´s Tavern - the location of Neptunes nightclub. On any given day it is obvious where filming is taking place by the arrival of the legendary Primoti vans, full of cameras and film equipment.

Last nights scooter scene - even the cameraman is on one!

Whenever the cast and crew film out on location the crowds quickly gather, eager to see who is in the shoot and hope that they will get a photograph to record the event. The cast are very accommodating and in between takes always pop out to wave and say hello to the fans, even having selfies with some of them.

Oliver admiring the Harleys outside Heartbreak

The scooter scene featuring Tiger and Michael in last nights episode was filmed along the Levante front and was watched by hundreds of holiday makers from the sidelines. However, when the actual filming is taking place all of the people strolling along in the scene are actually extras! Afterwards a shhot took place at the Heartbreak Bar, the one with lots of shiny Harley Davidson motorbikes parked outside. Actor Oliver Stokes who plays now not so little Michael Garvey chatted to the owner of one the beauties and had a sit on it.

Throughout the series many Benidorm landmarks will be seen - familiar to the locals and regular visitors. It is always fantastic to see new locations being used and it creates interest in the resort. There are only another 6 episodes but fear not, series 7 is already in the pipeline and filming will commence in the Spring.

A bit like marmite, you either love it or hate it but the constant pinging on twitter last night is testament that most love it, just check out #BenidormTweets - well done to writer and creator Derren Litten on another success! It has done wonders for tourism to the resort - we ran an online survey and 61% of readers said that the series has persuaded them to come here. Hotels, restaurants and bars all benefit - and of course the local expat extras, who get the chance to earn a little bit of money too.