As TV’s most hilarious holiday crowd return, we go behind sc OUT ON A BENI BENDER
THE Benidorm cast let their hair down with boozy karaoke nights while filming the hit comedy.
Telly favourites including Johnny Vegas, Sherrie Hewson and Tim Healy stay in the Spanish holiday hotspot for four months a year to make the show.
Their characters are known for their wacky behaviour on screen – but star Danny Walters has revealed everyone is just as wild away from the cameras.
The actor, who plays Tiger Drake, told the Daily Star Sunday: “There’s always stuff that goes wrong when we’re filming. There are so many funny moments. But I can never remember any of them because I’m either drunk or still partying.
“As a cast we always have a lot of fun and games. We often go out after filming to a local karaoke bar and have a drink there. I’m the best when it comes to the karaoke. Jake Canuso is probably the worst.”
Benidorm will return to TV next month for its ninth series and the Daily Star Sunday can exclusively reveal Joan Collins will be back at the Solana as bitchy Crystal Hennessy-Vass, inset.
Veteran star Nigel Havers, also inset, will make a guest appearance too – as conman Stanley in the opening episode.
Danny said: “We’ve had some really good people come in for this series. There have always been great cameos.
“There’s a surprise one in the last episode that is epic. It’s worth people watching just to see that.”
Essex lad Danny, 23, joined the cast of Benidorm three years ago and has become a firm favourite with fans.
He is in the best shape of his life after following a strict fitness regime in recent months.
For years, Jake Canuso was the show’s resident hunk – as barman Mateo Castellanos – but now Danny is determined to give him a good run for his money.
He said: “It’s all good banter. It’s just a bit of competition. But the battle between us has already kicked off.”
Danny reckons his toned body is making him an even bigger hit with viewers.
He added: “The more my body has transformed the more my following goes up and up. It’s mad how much more confident I’ve become just from having a better body – and that’s not being arrogant. “I have confidence, but that comes with me feeling good in my skin now. I’m happy to get my top off for photoshoots or for scenes in Benidorm.” Producers seem keen for Danny to flash the flesh. In fact, they even convinced him to strip off completely for a scene in the new series. He said: “My character has a lot more fun this time. And I’m wearing less layers. There is one scene where I’m pretty much naked. I wasn’t nervous at first, but when we came to shoot the scene there were a lot of fans watching. “We shoot on location so there are always people there. And once I realised more and more people were watching I started to get a bit more nervous about doing it. “I knew the scene was coming up. I went down the gym a lot to prepare as I wanted to get into good shape. I also used a lot of oil to bring the abs out.” Anyone who is resident in the resort and fancies being part of the show should head to the Hotel Melia this Friday between 10am and 2pm or between 4pm and 7.30pm. Producers say they want to give all fans a chance to try out.
A spokesman told us: “Your age, race, colour or your weight don’t matter. We want to see everyone.”