The fourth season of the ITV television series Benidorm, which is a sitcom set in an all-inclusive holiday resort (The Solana), began broadcasting on 25 February 2011, consisting of six episodes. The entire series was directed by Sandy Johnson and written by Derren Litten. Multiple changes occurred within the cast this series, which saw the introductions of Shelley Longworth as Sam Wood, Tony Maudsley as Kenneth Du Beke, Kathryn Drysdale as Natalie Jones, Adam Gillen as Liam Conroy and Selina Griffiths as Pauline Mahmood. Furthermore, Tim Healy re-joined the cast, now on a permanent basis, whereas Cilla Black,[1] Denise Welch,[2] Bananarama,[3] and Melvyn Hayes made brief guest appearances.[4] Returning from the third series were the Garvey family, consisting of Mick (Steve Pemberton), Janice (Siobhan Finneran), Michael (Oliver Stokes) and Janice's mother Madge Barron (Sheila Reid); swingers Donald (Kenny Ireland) and Jacqueline Stewart (Janine Duvitski); Noreen Maltby (Elsie Kelly); homosexual couple Gavin (Hugh Sachs) and Troy Ramsbottom (Paul Bazely), though Bazely only appeared in the series finale; and Solana staff Mateo Castellanos (Jake Canuso) and manageress Janey York (Crissy Rock).[5]
| Benidorm | |
|---|---|
| Season 4 | |
 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Original release | 25 February – 8 April 2011 |
| Series chronology | |
Overall, the series received an average viewership of 7.77 million, the highest in the programme's history, with the opening episode being watched by 8.61 million.[6] The series concluded on 8 April 2011, with the series finale attracting 7.82 million viewers.[6] The fourth series was initially supposed to be the final series to air, as Litten wanted to conclude writing new material,[7] though high ratings and critical demand resulted in a fifth series being produced, airing in 2012.[8]
Cast
edit- Steve Pemberton as Mick Garvey
- Siobhan Finneran as Janice Garvey
- Sheila Reid as Madge Harvey
- Oliver Stokes as Michael Garvey
- Kenny Ireland as Donald Stewart
- Janine Duvitski as Jacqueline Stewart
- Elsie Kelly as Noreen Maltby (episodes 2–6)
- Hugh Sachs as Gavin Ramsbottom
- Jake Canuso as Mateo Castellanos
- Crissy Rock as Janey Yorke
- Tim Healy as Les/Lesley Conroy
- Adam Gillen as Liam Conroy
- Shelley Longworth as Sam Wood
- Tony Maudsley as Kenneth De Beke
- Kathryn Drysdale as Natalie Jones
- Selina Griffiths as Pauline Mahmood (episodes 2–6)
- Paul Bazely as Troy Ramsbottom (episode 6)
Episodes
edit| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) [6] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | "Episode 1" | Sandy Johnson | Derren Litten | 25 February 2011 | 8.61[nb 1] | |
|
The Garveys are back in Benidorm to discover that Madge has mysteriously disappeared with her villa sold to Cilla Black and the Benidorm Palace also sold off. Meanwhile, Les/Leslie has got a new job as a barman at the Solana, much to Mateo's disapproval. Liam (Les's son) has a crush on new holidaymaker Natalie, who is accompanied by her close friend Sam. Kenneth, an employee at Troy & Gavin's salon, has joined Gavin, taking Troy's place whilst he is back in the UK tending to his critically ill long-lost father. First appearance of Adam Gillen as Liam Conroy, Kathryn Drysdale as Natalie Jones, Shelley Longworth as Sam Wood and Tony Maudsley as Kenneth Du Beke. Absent: Elsie Kelly as Noreen Maltby. Guest starring Cilla Black, Neil Fitzmaurice and Denise Welch | ||||||
| 24 | "Episode 2" | Sandy Johnson | Derren Litten | 4 March 2011 | 8.11[nb 2] | |
|
Regular holidaymaker Noreen returns, instead with her daughter Pauline, who has just gone through a divorce with her Saudi Arabian husband Bashir. Later, they join the Garveys to a trip to the aqua park, but Mick has a strange encounter with Pauline. Meanwhile, Madge goes for a new makeover, whilst Natalie, Sam and Liam go out to a club. First appearance of Selina Griffiths as Pauline Maltby. | ||||||
| 25 | "Episode 3" | Sandy Johnson | Derren Litten | 11 March 2011 | 7.43[nb 3] | |
|
Mel's €6,000 debt has been bought by Mr Pink's mafia, which leads to a showdown between him and Madge at the go-kart racetrack. Back at the Solana, Donald is taken to hospital during Mateo's "water areobics session" after falling ill in the pool, which puts Mateo's job under threat. On the following night, to the Garveys shock, Mr Pink gives Madge €3000 after winning the go-kart race. Guest starring Melvyn Hayes and Shaun Foster-Conley | ||||||
| 26 | "Episode 4" | Sandy Johnson | Derren Litten | 25 March 2011 | 7.41[nb 4] | |
|
A freak thunderstorm hits Benidorm, leaving most of the apartments in the Solana flooded and wrecked. Meanwhile, emotions run high for Janice when Johnny Neptune, an old flame, appears at the Solana. Gavin and Kenneth are in for a shock from Donald and Jacqueline, whilst Michael is in love. Guest starring Ian Reddington and Shaun Foster-Conley | ||||||
| 27 | "Episode 5" | Sandy Johnson | Derren Litten | 1 April 2011 | 7.24[nb 5] | |
|
It's "80s night" at the Solana, featuring a performance from Bananarama. Madge is tipped about a pub in Benidorm that needs buying. Meanwhile, Les/Leslie asks Mateo a big favour, which could possibly ruin his reputation. Gavin & Kenneth go on an outing to a museum, but does their little trip to the cove beach nearby go quite as planned? Back at the Solana, the bar staff are refusing to serve Pauline alcoholic drinks, and it is the conclusion of Liam's quest to woo Natalie. Guest starring Bananarama and Neil Fitzmaurice | ||||||
| 28 | "Episode 6" | Sandy Johnson | Derren Litten | 8 April 2011 | 7.82[nb 6] | |
|
Madge's deal of buying the pub she was tipped about is complete, with the possibility of the Garveys staying in Benidorm permanently. Meanwhile, Jacqueline receives some devastating news, and Natalie is in for a shock when the truth about Mateo's private life is revealed. Last appearance of Crissy Rock as Janey York, Kathryn Drysdale as Natalie Jones and Selina Griffiths as Pauline Maltby. One-episode return of Paul Bazely as Troy Ramsbottom. Guest starring Neil Fitzmaurice and Michael Fenton Stevens | ||||||
Reception
editThroughout the series' run, the show commanded an average of 7.77 million viewers – a sharp 1.25 million increase from the previous season. Critically, the first episode broke the still-standing ratings record for the show.[citation needed]
Similarly, at the time of broadcast, Metro reported the interest of holidays to Benidorm increase 159% upon the show's airing.[9]
The fourth series was nominated for Best Situation Comedy at the 17th National Television Awards, eventually losing out to Outnumbered. Similarly, the show was also nominated for a TV Quick Award.
Home media
editThe DVD of the fourth series was released on 14 November 2011.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Cilla Black to star as 'swinger' in new series of TV comedy Benidorm". Liverpool Echo. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Denise Welch teases 'Benidorm' cameo". Digitalspy.com. 19 February 2011.
- ^ Fletcher, Alex (25 February 2011). "'Benidorm' cast praise guests Bananarama". Digitalspy.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Melvyn Hayes guests in 'Benidorm'". Digitalspy.com. 11 March 2011.
- ^ "Benidorm (TV Series 2007–2018)". IMDb.com.
- ^ a b c "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB.
- ^ "Benidorm writer quits show". British Comedy Guide. 22 February 2011.
- ^ "Benidorm recommissioned for fifth series". British Comedy Guide. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ "Benidorm sees surge in British tourists after ITV show". Metro.co.uk. 17 March 2011.
- ^ "Benidorm: The Complete Series 4 : DVD | HMV Store". Store.hmv.com. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
Notes
edit- ^ 7.51 million on ITV, 709,000 on ITV HD, 390,000 on ITV +1
- ^ 6.92 million on ITV, 779,000 on ITV HD, 410,000 on ITV +1
- ^ 6.37 million on ITV, 685,000 on ITV HD, 370,000 on ITV +1
- ^ 6.41 million on ITV, 577,000 on ITV HD, 420,000 on ITV +1
- ^ 6.16 million on ITV, 665,000 on ITV HD, 410,000 on ITV +1
- ^ 6.83 million on ITV, 690,000 on ITV HD, 302,000 on ITV +1