Benidorm’s Elsie Kelly
Elsie Kelly on playing the Solana’s OAP twin sisters Noreen and Doreen
Benidorm WEDNESDAY / ITV / 9pm
There are some extraordinary tourists staying at the Solana Hotel, but none come much sillier than OAP Noreen Maltby.
This week in Benidorm, the potty pensioner is holidaying with her daughter Pauline, a recovering alcoholic, but they get a shock when Noreen’s twin sister,
Doreen, turns up by the pool.
The arrival of glam Doreen has delighted Elsie Kelly, who plays both sisters in the hit ITV comedy. TV Times spoke to
Elsie, 81, to find out more…
What was it like playing Doreen? Is she very different to Noreen?
Yes, they’re identical twins, but Doreen is more upmarket. She’s done
better for herself
Doreen’s a bit sharper – I mean you’d have to be sharper than Noreen, wouldn’t you?
materialistically and married someone with a bit of money. She’s also more outspoken and a bit sharper – I mean you’d have to be sharper than Noreen, wouldn’t you? But the twins are from the same background, so I kept this in mind when playing Doreen.
Doreen is far more glam and racy… and she has a toy boy? Oh yes, there’s a twist to that! Her toy boy arrives in a later episode, and it’s a real shock. Doreen’s definitely got nicer clothes than Noreen because, as you’ve probably observed, Noreen has absolutely no taste as far as fashion is concerned!
With the magic of TV, Noreen and Doreen appear side by side. Was it tricky to film?
Yes, it was quite strenuous in the heat because there was a lot of changing around of costumes, hair and make-up. There were a few logistics involved, but we got by!
Johnny Vegas, who played Noreen’s son Geoff, isn’t in this series, but do you stay in touch? There’s a deep friendship between us. I went to Johnny’s lovely wedding a few years ago in Seville. Sadly, Johnny’s father died last year and Johnny asked me to sit with his family at the funeral. Johnny’s just lovely. He is naughty
sometimes, which is endearing.
Do you enjoy a night out with the other cast members? Yes, but I’m the old lady of the gang so I don’t stay late. We go out for a meal and then some of the youngsters will go into Benidorm’s Old Town afterwards to party, but I’ll always think, ‘There’s a lovely book waiting for me’!
You’ve been in Benidorm from the off. What do you remember about the first series?
I was only meant to be in the show for one episode. They had a great ending for Noreen - she should have died on a lilo and floated around the pool for a couple of days before anybody noticed. But Benidorm’s writer Derren Litten wanted to do more with Noreen and Geoff, so I was saved!
Who inspired you to act?
When I was little, I begged to go to the cinema to see musicals. I loved movies like Carousel. I’ve played a few parts, but I wanted to direct them, too. Recently, I’ve done Annie and Oliver! and I’m directing Sweeney Todd next.