The Stage

ITV bids to clear comedy name with Vegas vehicle

Published Wednesday 27 September 2006 at 12:15 by Liz Thomas

Johnny Vegas and League of Gentleman’s Steve Pemberton will star in new six-part series Benidorm for ITV1.

The show, which is set in apartments in the popular holiday destination, is director of entertainment and comedy Paul Jackson’s first commission since taking over the post. It is penned by Derren Little and produced by Tiger Aspect’s Geoffrey Perkins. The network will be hoping the show will mark a return to form for its highly criticised comedy output.

“Benidorm is the holiday experience we have all had where you spend 14 days avoiding the lairy couple who sat behind you on the coach. Derren has created a fantastic range of characters and the sure quality of his writing has attracted a really exciting cast who will bring to life the joys and the horrors of the all inclusive package holiday,” says Jackson.

The series also features Waiting for God’s Janine Duvitski, Kenny Ireland, most recently seen in New Tricks, Nicholas Burns from Nathan Barley, as well as Sheila Reid and The Catherine Tate Show’s Hugh Sachs.