'It will be fabulous,' says star Sherrie Hewson

The team behind Benidorm are in talks to turn the Costa-set sitcom into a movie.

Creator Derren Litten confirmed the news on Twitter, saying that the film would be based on the Benidorm Live stage production which is currently touring.

He spoke out after star  Sherrie Hewson, who plays hotel boss Joyce Temple-Savage, told the Daily Star: ‘There may just be a film coming. That’s a bit of an inside scoop! It will be happening, it’ll just be a bit different. But it will still be fabulous. I can’t wait.’

But Litten himself first broke the news in a podcast with star Jake Canuso, who plays Mateo, last week.

He said: ‘I have some news. The news is that in two weeks I’ve got the first meeting about the possibility of Benidorm the movie and that is obviously with film producers. 

‘And the idea is to take the story in Benidorm Live and make that into the movie, so there you go.’

Asked if the movie would be a musical, like the stage show, Litten added: ‘If it was going to be the movie version of the stage show, of course it would have songs on it’

He said that ‘the thought [of a movie] has always been there and I’ve always dismissed the thought’ – but he said he reconsidered  after making the stage musical.

‘Basically I always said I didn’t want a DVD of this live show because I think it’s a very theatrical experience and I think you’ll lose a huge amount by putting that on the telly,’ he said. So therefore he started thinking of making it into a film instead.

The ITV sitcom came to an end in April after 11 years on screen.

Litten took a pop at the broadcaster after the show was subsequently named best comedy at the TV Choice awards.

‘I have huge respect for ITV,’ he said sarcastically. ‘A show that’s getting 5.5million and still picking up awards. But they’ve cancelled it. That takes balls.’

And he said of the accolade: ‘It’s like being sacked from your job, then being nominated for employee of the month.’

The live show is at the Manchester Palace Theatre this week, with dates stretching though to April.

Re news in tabloids & online today about Benidorm: I can confirm we are in talks about a BENIDORM MOVIE which will be based on the Benidorm Live stage production which is currently touring. Hear about it in my podcast with @JakeCanuso https://t.co/1aCa6NfN51 #YoureWelcome 🌴

— Derren Litten (@DerrenLitten) November 25, 2018

Published: 26 Nov 2018