Well, what with all the kerfuffle in the press about series 5, Jackie and Joan Collins, I thought I should probably write a little blog to keep you up to date. So, basically, yes, I said series 4 would be “the end of my Benidorm journey” (how camp??!) but that was well before the end of series 4 transmission (in fact it may have been at the beginning, I can’t remember). I thought we had made a very good show but I genuinely thought fans would watch and think, “that’s a nice end to the Benidorm series”. In fact I’m being modest, I thought I had written the best series yet and that, for me, was a reason to stop; to go out on a high. I had no idea the public reaction would be so incredible and it became clear to me by the transmission of episode 5 that viewers wanted more. So it was a combination of two things, ITV & Tiger Aspect were extremely keen on me being involved in a 5th series and I just couldn’t say goodbye to these bizarre characters I created.
A lot of press have reported that the only reason I came back to be involved in another series of Benidorm was because of the possible involvement of Joan Collins. After receiving a tweet from Jackie Collins suggesting her sister Joan Collins should be in the show I did reply saying “Joan Collins in Benidorm??!! I ain’t gonna let anyone else write that. Looks like I’m coming back”. Why did I write that when I had already agreed my contract weeks before? Well, apart from being giddy as a kipper (as my Nana used to say) that Jackie Collins tweeted me saying she & her sister love the show, I also knew it would be a funny & camp way of announcing my return. As many of you know, I don’t court publicity for myself as an individual particularly (I do the odd radio interview for friends but have never accepted requests for TV interviews and I’ve only ever done one newspaper interview in 4 series of Benidorm – and that was never published) but writing tv shows is now the main bulk of my living so I do need to promote my business. Also, it goes without saying that Jackie’s new book just happens to be out this week, now that lady IS a publicity genius!
Has Joan Collins signed a contract to appear in Benidorm? Of course not. The scripts aren’t even written yet. Would we like her to be in it? Definitely! What many people tend to forget is Joan is a brilliant comedy actress. But filming is a long way off and who knows what will happen between now and then.
As for me, I’m overjoyed to be back making up crazy stories for the Garveys et al. I won’t write every episode this series but I’ll be there throughout the series to lend a hand, assisting our brilliant team including new writers, directors and my producer Ben Cavey and Exec Producer Sophie Clarke-Jervoise. I reckon we’ll make Benidorm for as long as the fans of the show continue to love it. The great thing is we are critic-proof, I’m told we have never had a good review in the press but I think it’s logical to take notice of 6 million viewers of the show rather than one lonely, embittered hack who is furious about their own failed career.
The people have spoken! We are coming back! You should have known, what have I always said?… “this is just adios and not goodbye”.
P.S.
Thanks for all your messages of support via twitter what with a 5th series of Benidorm, a book and a new tv comedy I have a lot to get on with but I try to reply to as many messages as I can.
