Creator Derren Litten cools the rumour mill

Benidorm creator Derren Litten has poured cold water on the idea the comedy is poised to return, seven years after it was axed.

The Sun this weekend reported that ITV were in ‘secret talks’ about bringing back the series based on star Sherrie Hewson telling a podcast: ‘Benidorm is coming back.’

But writing on Facebook today – where he has just set up a Benidorm fan page – Litten pointed out that Hewson ‘has done this most years since the show ended’.

He said it was wrong to say ITV has commissioned a new series, although he didn’t specifically deny that there had been any conversations about the idea.

The Sun also quoted an unnamed source saying: ‘Producers have started to reach out to the show’s stars’ – which the writer again dismissed, pointing out: ‘If the show has not yet been commissioned there are no producers.

‘This rumour comes up every couple of years. I guess it's testament to how successful the show was at the time and of course hugely flattering that it's a slow news day,’ he said.

Benidorm was scrapped in 2018 after 11 years, ten series and 74 episodes.

It was voted best comedy at the TV Choice Awards soon after it was axed. When he collected the gong, Litten sarcastically said: ‘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.’

The ensemble cast over the years featured the likes of Sheridan Smith, Steve Pemberton, Hannah Waddingham,  Sheila Reid and Johnny Vegas.

Some of the cast took part in a live tour the year after Benidorm was axed.

Published: 7 Apr 2025