It has been officially confirmed that Benidorm series 9 will begin shooting in mid-March and have an extra two episodes – great news for all here. Pere Agullo, of “Filming Spain” – the production company used by Tiger Aspect in Benidorm has also indicated that they have provisionally been signed for series ten even though the current series 8 hasn’t yet been fully aired on UK screens.
Filming often goes on around different locations in the resort – the main sets are at the Sol Pelicanos Hotel poolside, Morgans Tavern which is transformed into Neptunes and what is affectionately known as the “Pink House”, opposite Benidorm Palace is transformed to become the ficticious Solana reception.
This series has also seen the Mirador in the Old Town being used as an exclusive restaurant for a scene not once but twice: Sherrie Hewson as Joyce Temple-Savage having a soiree with John Challis who everyone remembers fondly as Boycie off Only Fools and Horses and also Julie Graham and Steve Edge aka Sheron and Billy Dawson, who are part of the new Dawson family which joined the series this season.
Many viewers have been emailing to ask what the name of the restaurant is as it is so convincing – sorry to say it is all a set up. In this weeks episode characters Tiger and Joey were seen hiking up the Puig Campana mountain which forms the backdrop behind the resort. It is actually only a few kilometres out of Benidorm at the Fonts Moli in Finestrat – a very popular place for walkers and hikers. Many fans look out specifically for new locations then want to visit them so it is great news when the cast and crew venture out.
Jason Green from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire must rank as the number one fan of the ITV hit comedy series and in homage to show has had vast parts of his body tattooed with characters, signatures and locations. His very first work of art was the Benidorm logo and palm tree, on the inside arm around two years ago – and he hasn’t stopped since. Actor Perry Benson, who plays Clive Dyke in the series gave Jason the most pain tattooing wise with his signature – but it certainly hasn’t deterred him. He is back again in April for another three weeks and can’t wait – he has already been once this year and last year came four times.
For those that want to be considered as extra's there will be a casting session on Friday 19th February at the Melia Hotel from 10:00-1:30 then again 4:30 - 7:30pm. You have to be a permanant resident and hold a social security number and NIE number. Turn up and fill out the application form they hand out and have your picture taken - they are looking for all shapes and sizes. Plenty came last year as you can see from the photograph.
During 2015 Benidorm was used by 75 different companies - in addition to the British ITV comedy series “Benidorm” and Channel 5’s documentary “Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun” many foreign music videos and commercials were shot, including ones for internationally recognized brands such as Coco-Cola, BMW and Audi.
Official figures released from the Town Hall reveal that 282 days of filming took place in the resort last year which generated €2.6 million of local spending, entailed nearly 8,000 overnight stays and employed 373 people. This is all invaluable promotion for Benidorm, costing nothing but generating income for businesses here and the Mayor Toni Perez is delighted.
Many fans will already be booking up to stay at the Sol Pelicanos hotel in the hope of catching a glimpse of the cast during filming and everyone will be speculating as to which actors will be coming to the resort this year to appear in cameo roles... and will Dame Joan Collins be back?