Benidorm creator has some BAD news for fans wanting a reboot
The last series aired in 2018
Believe it or not, it's been six years since the final episode of hit ITV/STV sitcom Benidorm ended, following 10 amazing series. Although you can watch the hit TV show on streaming platforms such as Netflix, fans were still gutted when the news broke that an eleventh season wasn't on the cards... Or is it?
Six years on from the final episode airing in May 2018, show creator Derren Litten has now seemingly shut down any rumours of another series, despite a load of hints over the last few years.
Is Benidorm coming back?
Derren Litten admits a new series doesn't look likely
In July 2024, Benidorm creator Derren Litten spoke to the Daily Star, where he seemingly shut down any hope of a new series.
He said: "I'm gonna answer it honestly because I always sort of dodge this question and say 'Never say never'. But at the moment I would say and it's not the answer I think people want, which is a bit controversial but I think the time has passed.
"Which is terrible to think because what a laugh for us to do. If we could all do like a one-off special, but they're so expensive. It was a very expensive show Benidorm, it was very lavishly produced."
Sherrie Hewson admits she'd love the show to return
In June 2024, actress Sherrie Hewson, who played the role of hotel manageress Joyce Temple-Savage on the show, spoke to OK! Magazine to admit she would love to return to the iconic role.
She told the publication: “I think Benidorm is bigger now than when we were actually on television. People stop me and say, ‘I’m rewatching Benidorm again.’ It’s been in the top 10 on Netflix.
“There’s nothing on telly like it, is there? I call it Carry On funny because it’s a very British sense of humour. I’d definitely go back – we all loved our time on Benidorm. I say they should make a film out of it.
“I’m still in touch with a lot of the cast still. Tony Maudsley (Kenneth Du Beke) and I speak every other day. We never stop talking about Benidorm - it was 10 years of our lives.”
Show creator hints he has 74 more episodes
In October 2023, over five years on from the final episode airing in May 2018, show creator Derren revealed that he has a massive 74 new episodes written and ready to go, leaving fans VERY excited to say the least.
Derren, who wrote all episodes from the first 10 series, replied to a fan's tweet which said: 'Final episode of @BenidormTVshow on @ITVX would be great to see new episodes. @DerrenLitten surely living in Benners you have plenty of stories you could pen'. (sic)
The talented writer was quick to reply, saying: 'I don’t live in Benidorm but I live fairly close by. I have more stories for another 74 episodes; if @ITV want them they know where I am! 🌴'. (sic)
Although there was no confirmation from ITV/STV bosses that they had any plans to recommission the series, by the looks of the comments, there's certainly appetite for more series.
One wrote: 'Please please please do more', with another adding: 'Please please please 🙏 as I absolutely love Benidorm and continuously watch it from the first to the last series'. (sic)
Another commented: 'About time we had some comedy back on our screens', with another writing: 'This would be a dream come true, I've watched all seasons so often I know what's going to be said before they say it, plus so many songs I hear remind me of the scenes they were in. Please ITV, ITVX, Netflix, one of you take Derren up on his offer'. (sic)
Derren begins to write for television and theatre
Two months after revealing his brand new career as a radio DJ in Spain, Derren took to his socials to share a statement revealing that he was coming 'out of retirement' to write for TV and theatre again.
The statement read: 'I would like to take this opportunity to make a public statement. It's been a difficult decision but I've decided to return back to writing for both television and theatre.
'I have had clear, recent indications that certain TV channels are interested in my decision and I hope you will be watching the fruits of my labour in time to come.
'Obviously there are always rumours surrounding such announcements but I would like to make it clear my decision to come out of retirement is purely to spend less time with my family.'
Could it be ITV showing interest in Derren's writing? Only time will tell...
Siobhan Finneran teasing a return
Fan-favourite Siobhan Finneran, who played the role of Janice Garvey, also got fans talking back in 2022, when she shared a snap of herself alongside her co-stars, and on-screen family, Steve Pemberton (Mick Garvey) and Oliver Stokes (Michael Garvey).
Sharing the picture on X, formerly Twitter, Siobhan wrote: '#Benidorm IS COMING BACK!!!!' (sic)
The post was met with plenty of excited responses, including one writing: '😱 for real ? 😱' (sic), and another adding: 'I really really hope this is true'.
Although many thought that this marked the official tease of Benidorm's return, sadly the actress later confirmed that they were just meeting up at a comedy convention for the show.
Take a look at which other TV shows we'd love to see make a comeback:
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…
When did Benidorm start airing?
Benidorm first aired on ITV/STV way back in February 2007, with viewers falling in love with characters such as Mateo, Kenneth, Madge, Mel and Geoff.
Over the years, the series featured some huge names including Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran, Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Sherrie Hewson, Crissy Rock, and Sheila Reid.
As series 10 aired in 2018, creator Derren left fans gutted by confirming the series would be the last. He wrote on social media at the time: 'Crazy to think Wednesday will be the last episode of Benidorm! I created the series over 11 years ago, wrote it, guest starred in it and ended up directing it. It's difficult to think what else there is to do! Thank you for watching! #MuchasGracias 🌴'. (sic)
In more recent years, the hit sitcom was turned into a stage show called Benidorm Live, with the show touring the UK with over 250 shows.
Although there's no official news of Benidorm returning, if the clues we've had so far are anything to go off, we're keeping our hopes up! 🙏
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