The cast and crew of the Benidorm series have been out and about on the streets this week, much to the fans delight. On Monday they were filming in front of the Sol Pelicanos hotel – which had been renamed to the Solana for the occasion with a specially made up fascia, although many actually believe that is the real name.
The pavements were packed as everyone craned their necks trying to catch a glimpse of who was filming – and were treated to a good turnout. Sherrie Hewson, who plays the Solana manageress Joyce Temple-Savage was joined by Mateo, Jacqueline and newly returned for the series, Troy who all came rushing out and gathered around a rather small red sports car – lets just say that not such a small person was sitting inside!
Then yesterday the crew had moved up to the Old Town where they were filming at the Mirador. Once again Sherrie was there, this time joined by actor John Challis, who first appeared in series 7 as a dodgy property developer. It´s a role with which he must be familiar as most will remember him playing Boycie, the dodgy car dealer who found fame in that all time classic comedy Only Fools and Horses.
A restaurant had been mocked up and sitting at the table next to them were newbies to this series – actors Julie Graham and Steve Edge, the new family called the ´Dawsons´. I could hear many people whispering “he´s the one from Phoenix Nights” or “ wasn´t she in The Bill” – the answer is yes to both.
The Mayor, Agustin Navarro paid a visit and watched some of the filming in action. During a pause he was introduced to the writer Derren Litten – who he has met before, the new Director Robin Sheppard – the first time that a woman has directed a series of Benidorm and Line Producer Simon Bird, who all posed on a rather windswept terrace for a picture.
The holidaymakers certainly like it when they spot the film crews about and rush over, cameras in hand ready to upload who they catch onto twitter and facebook. This is almost the end of the third week of filming already – only another 9 to go then they´ll all be gone again, like a hurricane!
