Sammy’s dummy whammy
BENIDORM
STV 9pm
A FAMILIAR face pops up in Benidorm this week. But if you can’t place the actor playing Sammy Valentino’s superfan Simon, forget the Med and think Manchester.
For the creepy holidaymaker is played by Graeme Hawley, aka Corrie’s teacher-turned-serial killer John Stape.
Meanwhile, if you think Shane Richie’s return as the Tangotanned entertainer has been camp and crazy so far, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Oblivious to the bedlam Sammy unleashed when he last played the Solana, Monty has booked him to headline at Neptune’s.
But as they discuss the upcoming show, Sammy’s approached by a rather nerdy looking figure in beige leisurewear. And it’s clear Simon’s adoration of Sammy is a little intense.
“Sammy? Sammy Valentino? I don’t believe it. Can I touch you?”
“Well, as long as it’s above the equator!” retorts a nervous looking Sammy.
The pair are soon trading his catchphrases – “Who loves you?” “Sammy loves you!” “Get off my grass!” and “Don’t wake the rhino!”
However, when Simon mentions Sammy’s former double act partner Manny, the comic is rattled.
And when Monty does some digging around, what he learns leaves him desperate to halt the gig. Only trouble is, Joyce has just introduced Sammy. And when he takes to the stage, he spies Simon, holding a deeply tanned puppet in a sequinned jacket. We’re getting flashbacks to that creepy Anthony Hopkins film Magic, and let’s just say the night ends very badly for one popular hotel guest. It looks as if Sammy’s comeback has stalled, and Monty’s back in the doghouse with Joyce.