Vegas in Benidorm
Johhny to front new ITV1 sitcom
Johnny Vegas is to star in ITV1’s new sitcom, Benidorm.The six-part show is the broadcaster’s first sitcom in three years, since the Martin Freeman vehicle Hardware.
As Chortle reported last month, the Spanish-set show, created by Catherine Tate writer Derren Litten, will also star The League Of Gentlemen's Steve Pemberton.
Vegas will play quiz show champion Geoff, who is on holiday in the Costa Blanca resort with his wife and mother.
Benidorm is the fist programme to be commissioned by the network’s director of entertainment and comedy Paul Jackson, whose brief is to revive ITV’s much-derided reputation for comedy.
He said: ‘Benidorm is the holiday experience we have all had where you spend 14 days avoiding the lairy couple who sat behind you on the coach.
‘Derren has created a fantastic range of characters and the sure quality of his writing has attracted a really exciting cast who will bring to life the joys and the horrors of the all inclusive package holiday.
The ensemble cast also includes Nicholas Burns from Nathan Barley Waiting for God’s Janine Duvitski, The Catherine Tate Show’s Hugh Sachs, plus Kenny Ireland, Abigail Cruttenden, Geoff Maltby, Paul Bazely and Siobhan Finneran.
The transmission date has yet to be announced.
Published: 28 Sep 2006
