'Benidorm' series go get themed bar in the resort
DERREN Liten, writer and creator of the 'Benidorm' series has announced his next big project will be opening a karaoke bar in Benidorm… calling it ‘Mateo’s Bar’!
The comedy series was axed by ITV after 10 seasons, with the last broadcast back in 2018. Filming here gave a huge economic boost to the resort and certainly put it on the map, attracting a new legion of fans, eager to visit the locations featured.
In 2012 Derren was even awarded a plaque by the then mayor Agustín Navarro and British Consul Paul Rodwell in recognition of his contribution to increased British tourism. After, he wrote a stage adaptation and went on a year long tour around the UK with the ‘Benidorm Live’ show, which featured a number of the top cast including Jake Canuso, Sherrie Hewson, Tony Maudsley and Janine Duvitski.
He then wrote another comedy - Scarborough, this time based in the northern UK holiday resort for the BBC but was bitterly disappointed that they cancelled after just one series and decided on a change in direction.
Living much of the year here on the Costa Blanca in his Spanish home and with a genuine love of Benidorm, drinking and karaoke he had a eureka moment looking at all the memorabilia – costumes and props he salvaged when the filming here ended and the ‘Pink House’ was being emptied.
The premises had already been acquired – in the busy Rincon area, popular with the Brits and the planned opening date was to be April 10. Sadly, as we all know, the current lockdown has put paid to that but Derren has assured everyone, in true showbiz style “That the show must go on”… and at some point they will open.
He said “As soon as we have a date I hope holidaymakers will visit Mateo's of Benidorm where they can view amazing television memorabilia, have their picture taken with Mel’s thong, the original Neptune’s sign featured in every episode, try The Madge cocktail (a drink so strong you need a mobility scooter to get you home) and maybe even a sing song from the show? We will have regular celebrity appearances including Mateo himself and of course I’ll be there an awful lot, hosting the karaoke and chatting with the people who made the Benidorm television series such a success. I can’t wait to meet you all, show you around and in some small way help Benidorm get back on it’s feet”.