The crowds on the pavement outside the Sol Pelicanos were already vying for a space this morning as the camera crew were just setting up. With the number of National Police present you could have easily mistaken it for a royal visit and in some ways it was - Hollywood Royalty, as Joan Collins was on set for her much anticipated appearance in Benidorm 6.

With Joan Collins having pic taken by Derren

The Daily Mail featured a story about her visit to Benidorm - and you can imagine my shock when I saw a photo taken by none other than Derren of me with Joan on set - I nearly choked on my croissant. Link to article here
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2334409/Joan-Collins-laps-sun-films-Benidorm-scenes-new-series.html


Joan has been cast as Crystal Hennesey Vass, the CEO of the Solana Group - and was filmed arriving outside in a chauffeur driven Bentley. But  I bet that not many recognised who the chauffeur was  - it was Benidorm writter and creator Derren Litten!

Oliver and Danny

Even the younger members of the cast - Oliver Stokes who plays Michael Garvey and Danny Walters who plays Tiger - part of the new family that have joined the sixth series came out to see what was going on!


How many of you remember, like me Joan Collins appearing as Melissa in the hilarious Cinzano adverts with actor Leonard Rossiter in the early 80´s? It´s funny to think that Oliver and Danny weren´t even born then - but still obviously appreciated that they were in the presence of a true legend as they came out to watch even though they were not in the scene.


The outside of the Ocas - which is next door and the sister hotel of the Sol Pelicanos was used as the frontage of the Solana Hotel, with boards outside advertising "Solana Resort"... this is the first time that the outside of the hotel has been filmed. The reception area, as everyone by now knows is inside the "pink house" - just past Benidorm Palace and the pool scenes are at the Sol Pelicanos.

With director Sandy between takes

Today´s filming with Joan Collins will be featured on episode 7 and is being directed by BAFTA winning director Sandy Johnson, who has replaced David Sant for the last three episodes. Sandy has directed many of the previous Benidorm episodes, so it was like coming home for him!

Glam Sherrie

Sherrie Hewson, who plays Solana´s manager Joyce Temple Savage said of Joan "She´s a joy to work with" and both have been twittering pictures of the two of them on set. Sherrie was on set again today, though not in the arrival scene being filmed. Joan Collins arrived at Alicante´s El Altet airport on a private jet and stayed at the luxurious Asia Gardens Hotel - located at the back of Benidorm off the Terra Mitica road. I find it rather ironic as previously when asked to be used as a location scene for an episode of Benidorm, they refused as they didn´t want to be associated with the resort!

There are only another 4 weeks left of filming to go - last day is 27th June. I can hardly believe how quickly it´s all gone! It has been great for the resort - long may it continue...