Benidorm fans can't believe how different Chantelle actress looks now

She's unrecognisable!

Author: Alex RossPublished 5th Jul 2024

Although it's been six years since the TV sitcom Benidorm last hit our screens, the show is gaining mass popularity all over again, mainly thanks to the series dropping on both Netflix and ITVX/STV Player in recent months.

Fans have been binging all 10 series of the hilarious show, which was written by Derren Litten, with many begging bosses to bring the show back.

One major star from the first three series was a character called Chantelle 'Telle' Garvey, played by actress Hannah Hobley.

The character of Chantelle appeared in almost every episode of the first three series, and was the eldest daughter of Mick and Janice Garvey, and the granddaughter of the legendary Madge.

Fans will remember Chantelle for having a son named Coolio to an un-named father, and also for striking up an unlikely romance with Geoff Maltby, who was played by Johnny Vegas.

A huge 18 years after she first appeared, actress Hannah has left fans gobsmacked at how different she now looks, now aged 34.

Last November, Hannah took a trip down memory lane when she visited the iconic Solana hotel in Benidorm, where the series was filmed. The actress took along her daughter Beatrice, where she posed for photos outside of the pool bar.

She wrote: 'It’s EXACTLY THE SAME! Just back with a different baby this time…'. (sic)

Fans were quick to comment on the post, with many admitting they didn't realise she was the one who played the role of Chantelle.

One wrote: 'Wow can’t believe it’s you !! You sure grew up to be one stunning lady after I used to watch you all the time'. (sic)

Another added: 'Oh my days I’ve just realised who you were in Benidorm', with a third writing: 'OMG, you look so so different! Beautiful'. (sic)

Another person wrote: 'Love this and you defo look younger! 🥰', with another gushing: 'I can’t get over this!!!! Im obsessed with Beni. My fave show ever ❤️ you look amazing! My dream is to visit this hotel!!!!'. (sic)

In January 2022, Hannah got engaged to her partner Nathan, before the pair welcomed their daughter Beatrice Hobley-Smith on 5th November in the same year.

Since leaving Benidorm, Hannah has continued with acting, starring in BBC series Cranford in 2007-2019. She's also appeared in a number of stage shows, including Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.

Check out which other TV shows we'd love to see return:

Footballers' Wives

Broadcasting between 2002-2006, Footballers' Wives followed fictional Premier League football club Earls Park, as well as all of the drama from both the players and their fiery wives!

Bad Girls

Set inside a fictional women's prison, Bad Girls aired on ITV between 1996-2006 and featured some very famous faces, including Claire King and Debra Stephenson.

Benidorm

Airing for a huge 10 series between 2007 and 2018, ITV/STV sitcom Benidorm was a huge hit with fans. Ever since the show ended, fans have been begging creator Derren Litten to create more.

The Bill

First broadcast in 1983, police drama The Bill certainly proved popular, airing until 2010. The show focused on the lives and work of police officers and starred well-known actors such as Trudie Goodwin, Graham Cole and Mark Wingett.

Don't Try This At Home

Who remembers sitting down in front of the TV on a Saturday night, watching on as Davina McCall helped members of the public take on tough and fearful challenges?


This needs to come back!

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

She was confident, funny, magical AND she had a talking cat. Sabrina made us all want to be a witch!


The show was also rebooted between 2018 and 2020 as a Netflix series called Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Ugly Betty

Believe it or not, it's been a massive 16 years since Ugly Betty last aired on our screens! The show, which featured actress America Ferrera, followed a character called Betty Suarez, who despite her lack of 'style', landed a job at a very prestigious fashion magazine.

Where The Heart Is

The British drama, which was filmed in the Yorkshire town of Skelthwaite, proved very popular with viewers between 1997-2006, showcasing the lives of a group of district nurses and their families.

It's a Knockout

It was stupid, it was crazy, but it was certainly fun! It's a Knockout started way back in 1966, but the show made a number of returns on BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5!

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

We'd love to see Will Smith get back into his character alongside Carlton Banks, however we got the next best thing earlier this year, with the Fresh Prince reboot called Bel Air, which was released earlier this year where Jabari Banks played Will Smith.

Stars In Their Eyes

A true classic! Stars In Their Eyes, originally hosted by Leslie Crowther, first aired in 1990 with Matthew Kelly taking over in 1993. The show did make a return with Harry Hill in 2015, but it didn't quite take off!

The Queen's Nose

Who would have thought that rubbing a 50p coin would be so interesting? We used to love watching the adventures of Harmony as she used up her magic wishes.

Gossip Girl

Although the show was given a reboot in 2021 with a brand new cast, it didn't live up to expectations of the original series, which aired between 2007-2012.

Fun House

We used to love watching two schools battle each other in three rounds of madness. Bring back the gunge and Pat Sharp's crazy hairstyles!

Grange Hill

Despite being at school all day, we loved to come home and watch other people be at school. Strange. But gripping story lines and relatable characters had us glued to our screens.

London's Burning

Airing between 1988 and 2002, London's Burning documented the lives of a fictional London Fire Brigade Blue Watch at the fictional Blackwall fire station.

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory was on TV from 2007 until 2019. The show centred around two physicists who shared an apartment, Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter and Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, and their friendship with Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco, who lived opposite.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones lasted for eight seasons between 2011 – 2019. The show starred Sean Bean as Eddard 'Ned' Stark and Kit Harington as Jon Snow.


House of Dragons is the new prequel but we really wish we'd have gotten more (or another ending) to the original Game of Thrones TV show. Who knows, maybe when the last book is out they might make some more episodes…

Ever since Benidorm aired its last episode in 2018, fans have been calling out for new episodes to be made, with show creator Derren Litten recently admitting he has enough stories for another 74 episodes.

Despite this, and other cast members expressing their will for the show to return, ITV/STV bosses are yet to announce any news of a return to Benidorm.

Now read:

Benidorm star admits she'd love the show to return as a movie

All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return

My Mum, Your Dad confirmed for September start with first teaser

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online, ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio' and download the Rayo app.