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Date Published: 21/11/2022

ARCHIVED - Die-hard fans of Brit sitcom Benidorm decend on the Costa Blanca resort for special cast reunion

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

Creators of the iconic show staged a special event for series' lovers of the at the Costa Blanca seaside town's BeniCon venue

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Die-hard fans of Brit sitcom Benidorm decend on the Costa Blanca resort for special cast reunion

For more than 10 years, the hugely successful British ITV comedy, Benidorm, had millions of viewers glued to the screen as the stars became household names and the Costa Blanca resort the colourful and fun backdrop for a series that won the hearts of the nation.

The sitcom, written and created by Derren Litten and produced by Tiger Aspect for ITV, aired for 10 series from February 2007 until May 2018, and in addition to BAFTA nominations, won numerous TV awards.

And last weekend, more than 1,200 die-hard fans were given the chance to soak up the 'Benidorm experience' and meet with the much-loved actors at a special three-day convention at BeniCon dedicated to the hit series.

From last Friday until Sunday, fans gathered at selected hotels in Benidorm's Rincón de Loix where they were able to take part in a series of special activities and interviews with cast members and writers.

In addition, fanatics who travelled from the UK expressly for the event, along with British expats, got the chance to star in remakes of some of the most memorable Benidorm scenes.

The series earned itself a place in the hearts of the nation parodying the adventures of a group of British holidaymakers from completely different backgrounds staying at the Solana holiday resort in Spain, and starred the likes of Jake Canuso, Steve Pemberton, Tim Healy, Adam Gillen, Johnny Vegas, Sheridan Smith, and Sherrie Hewson.

Scores of celebrities also jumped at the chance of a guest role in the show over its 11 years on TV, including the legendary Joan Collins of Dynasty fame.

News of the cast reunion was broken to fans in a post on BeniCon's official Instagram account last month, confirming that Oliver Stokes, who played Michael Garvey, would be attending, along with Steve Pemberton "to complete the Garvey clan", and Sheila Reid who portrayed the overly tanned and opinionated Madge Harvey.

Fans also got to meet Oliver Stokes (Michael), Hannah Hobley (Chantelle), Sherrie Hewson, who played Solana's manager; Joyce Temple-Savage; Asa Elliott; and Crissy Rock, who played Janey Yorke, Solana's first manager.

#benicon series 11?!!! pic.twitter.com/r96fk8lKG3
— H O L L Y (@HollyAmelia26) November 20, 2022

As well as meet and greets, scenario reenactments, there were competitions with prizes for the best costumes, and trips to the Old Town and Les Fonts de l'Algar which regularly appeared in the sitcom.

Some lucky guests got to stay at the Sol Pelicanus hotel, the famous Solana hotel in the series, and there was karaoke at Neptune's and Gala Show hosted by Derren Litten, "everything to live the Solana dream", according to organisers.

The event was strategically held in November to coincide with Benidorm Fancy Dress Party that attracted almost 45,000 Brits, other tourists and locals.

A number of Benidorm hotels were full to capacity over the weekend, especially in the Rincón de Loix area, and the hotel employers' association Hosbec is confident the "arrival of British citizens will help to ensure that hotel occupancy for November closes with very good figures".

In other news: Alicante becomes first Spanish city to turn on its lights

Images: Twitter/BeniCon

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