Cliff Notes – ITV set to revive award-winning comedy Benidorm 8 years after axe
- ITV is reportedly in early discussions to revive the beloved sitcom Benidorm for an 11th series, following its cancellation in 2018 after 10 successful seasons.
- The show’s resurgence in popularity on streaming platforms and social media has sparked renewed interest, with fans calling for the return of original cast members.
ITV set to ‘revive’ award-winning comedy Benidorm 8 years after axe
ITV is reportedly keen to revive beloved sitcom Benidorm for an 11th series (Picture: ITV/Tiger Aspect)
We have very exciting news for Benidorm fans, as we could be returning to the Solana Resort sooner than you think.
The beloved comedy premiered on ITV in 2007, garnering an instant fanbase thanks to hysterical performances from the likes of Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran, Janine Duvitski, Sheila Reid, Tim Healy, and Johnny Vegas.
It followed an ensemble cast playing holidaymakers and staff at the Solana all-inclusive hotel in Spain, where chaos ensued.
Benidorm ran for 10 series across 74 episodes, finishing in 2018 when the channel pulled the plug, with original cast members having departed and ratings dipping.
But now, it’s been claimed ITV is looking to bring it back.
According to The Sun, meetings are underway, and a new series is on the cards.
The show began on ITV in 2007 and ran for a decade (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Fans are now demanding the return of the OG stars (Picture: ITV)
A source said: ‘Benidorm was adored by millions when it was suddenly cancelled. Fans will be thrilled to hear ITV wants to bring it back.’
They added that there’s ‘major excitement’ already building as ‘early talks’ begin.
‘Producers have started to reach out to the show’s stars and are hopeful a decision can be made later this year.’
Metro understands that nothing has been given the green light just yet; however, we certainly have reasons to be hopeful.
It comes after previous cast members have expressed their support for a revival. Sherrie Hewson (who played manageress Temple-Savage) said last year on Good Morning Britain: ‘Well, everybody in the world watches it now.’
As Benidorm continues to do numbers on Netflix, she added: ‘Everybody stops me in the street and says, “We just want it back.”
Madge (and her mobility scooter) was undoubtedly one of the show’s highlights (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
The programme was thrown on the scrap heap when ratings dipped (Picture: ITV)
‘It would make a film, I think, and you could bring people from everywhere that had ever been on Benidorm, their stories back together.
‘I think it would be brilliant, and it would be two and a half hours as opposed to half an hour. ‘I think it would be very funny, so that’s what I’m up there for.’
Indeed, the appetite for a Benidorm reboot is strong several years later, with X being sent into meltdown upon discovering it is a possibility and demanding the return of the OG cast.
The sitcom won numerous awards in its heyday, including an NTA, and was nominated for a Bafta.
Therefore, when it was cancelled, creator Derren Litten wasn’t going quietly.
Picking up the best comedy TV Choice Award just two months after the show was scrapped, he said: ‘This is a bit awkward; the show’s just been cancelled.’
Benidorm featured plenty of household names, including Johnny Vegas (Picture: ITV)
Sherrie Hewson previously expressed her support for a revival in the form of a movie (Picture: ITV/Tiger Aspect)
He added with a facetious tone: ‘I’ve huge respect for ITV—a show that’s getting five and a half million viewers and still picking up awards, but they’ve cancelled it. That takes balls.’
ITV originally cited the show having simply ‘run its course’ as the reason for tossing it on the scrap heap.
The network was reportedly ‘disappointed’ when series 10 premiered to 400,000 viewers less than the previous year, as 4.3million tuned in.
However, in recent years, it’s had somewhat of a resurgence thanks to all episodes being available on streaming platforms and clips going viral on TikTok.
A whole new generation has now been able to laugh at the antics of the Garvey family, plus Madge and Mel, and not to mention cameos from Cilla Black and Dame Joan Collins.
From Sheridan Smith to Hannah Waddingham, Benidorm featured a wide range of stars from start to finish, many of whom have gone on to enjoy careers at epic heights.
ITV has been contacted for comment.
