Night shoot at the "Solana"

Today, Tuesday 29th November is the last day of filming for all the extra's on the ITV Benidorm series. They spent their last day filming at the Pink house which is the set for the imaginary Solana hotel reception.

I caught up with them in the garage underneath the pink house which is the resting area when they are not being used in a scene. They have all had great fun - infact they were all in series 4 last year they tell me. Most are from Benidorm but one lady comes in all the way from Teulada ! Another couple, Ann & Steve Whitiker are professional extras having appeared in the UK in soaps such as Brookside and Hollyoaks. This year alot of the extras were Spanish and didn't have a clue who any of the cast were unlike the ex-pat extras.

Its a very long day, 12 hour days infact and they certainly don't do it for the money ... they get paid 45.80€ per day which works out at only 3.81€ per HOUR. I don't think that there can be a minimum wage here looking at those figures! They do get fed well though they told me - cooked breakfast, bocadillo at 10ish and a proper cooked lunch.

Todays extra's on set.

I spoke to the mums of the 2 children - (Kyle Muir  & Alex Greer both aged 7) which were filming today and they told me that they had to obtain special written permission from the school and education authorities to allow the children to skip school to participate - and not only that but the police call onto the set unannounced and check what times the children have been working (they are only allowed to work a maximum of 6 hours) and question them to ensure that they are "working" of their own free will andare happy!

As one shoot finishes perhaps the rumour of a "Benidorm The Movie" may materialise... it is said that filming will commence next year with a host of "A-list" stars in cameo appearances, with the release date of 2013. Look out for the audition dates for more extra's !