Adam Gillen

Tony Maudsley and Adam Gillen interview

I'm pleased to confirm that this relationship, which was so sorely missed last year, is back for good and here's what Tony and Adam had to say about the new series of Benidorm when I caught up with them at the Solana...

Radio Times review

This show doesn't get any smarter or any less coarse, but its fans would despair if it did. Donald and Jacqueline, the pensionable swingers, get away with some eye-watering innuendo, which is chokingly funny if you like that sort of thing. Tonight, Jacqueline has to step in at short notice for Sticky Vicky, Benidorm's notorious, real-life veteran entertainer. But will Tacky Jacky's "private showing" leave Martin's stag party scarred for life?

Meanwhile, very camp but straight Liam is questioning his masculinity. Adam Gillen, who plays the lovelorn simpleton, is an unsung comedy genius - but then it's always been
the wonderful performances that sell Benidorm.

Adam Gillen: 'It goes horribly wrong for Liam'

What's On TV travelled to the Spanish fishing village of Calpe to meet Adam Gillen as he filmed episode five of ITV1's Benidorm.

A sort of low-rent Strictly Come Benidorm ensues as Cyril Babcock (Matthew Kelly) holds a dance contest at the Solana. This may not be a classic episode, but the terrific ensemble cast can elevate the run-of-the-mill. Hardly surprising - Janine Duvitski's comedy pedigree extends way back to Abigail's Party, on-screen hubby Kenny Ireland's to Acorn Antiques... And young Adam Gillen (as moronic Liam) is already proving a fine comedy actor.

And if you thought new girl Trudy might become top dog, think again. As mum Janice-cum-She-Ra, Siobhan Finneran seems light years away from Miss O'Brien (the harridan she plays in Downton) but is doubly formidable.

It's surely time for the sun to set on ITV's once-sparkling comedy drama. Back tonight for a fifth series, the characters now seem as tired as the hotel they hijack each summer. Loose Women's Sherri Hewson arrives as the Solana's exacting new manager Joyce Temple Savage ("I've got a lot of experience in the travel industry. I spent three years under Richard Branson.") Otherwise it's pretty much business as usual. Tanorexic pensioner Madge (Shelia Reid) harangues daughter Janice (Siobhan Finneran) about her missing husband. Hapless handyman Liam (Adam Gillen) is still desperate for dating tips. And ageing swingers Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) and recently resurrected husband Donald (Kenny Ireland) are back on the prowl.

As if Derren Litten's comedy drama weren't camp enough, tonight pop trio Bananarama turn up as special guests at The Solana's Eighties night. Meanwhile Madge (Shelia Reid) gets the chance to take a lease on a bar in Benidorm and Kenneth (Tony Maudsley) tries to cheer up Gavin (Hugh Sachs). Naïve teenager Liam (Adam Gillen) is still trying to win over sexy Natalie. It looks as though his efforts are in vain.