Derren Litten

EastEnders Cheryl Fergison lands role in The Spa

Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison will feature in a new sitcom written by Derren Litten, creator of ITV1's comedy show Benidorm.

Steve Pemberton (the show's Mick Garvey) takes over writing duties for this week's hilarious dose of sun, sand and smut.

As it's the first episode not written by creator Derren Litten, I'd like to thank Steve, on behalf of all women, for making Mateo pool lifeguard and putting him in red Speedos and baby oil.

Meanwhile, Mick's not at all happy when his father and layabout brother (ably played by David Bradley and Shaun Dooley) arrive for a raucous stag do.

And no, it's not just because it's going to be in fancy dress.

Fans should note this is the first episode in five series not written by show creator Derren Litten. It's by Steve Pemberton, and Benidorm scholars - should such a body exist - will be scanning for any discernible difference. If anything, there's an upsurge in vulgarity and word play, including a hitherto unimagined double entendre for Botticelli.

Pemberton, who's slimmed down since last year, is on good form as northern everyman Mick Garvey. Tonight, Mick's dad and brother turn up, an unsavoury duo played by David Bradley and Shaun Dooley. A stag-do bar crawl ensues with the Garveys, plus Kenneth, Donald and Liam in some outrageous outfits.

Cross-dresser Les (Tim Healy) offers guests who have lost their luggage "full access to my wardrobe of bikinis and summer dresses"... Saucy swinger Jacqueline has been smuggling contraband secreted, eye-wateringly, about her person... Dotty pensioner Noreen offers the gay hairdressers a threesome (it's not what they imagine)... and newcomer Trudy butts heads and breaks wind with abandon at the poolside... Yes, Derren Litten's shameless, sun-baked smutcom doesn't get any classier - and that's just the way I and around seven million other devotees love it.

Snooty new manager Joyce Temple Savage (Loose Women's Sherrie Hewson) is, however, determined to raise the tone. Experienced in the travel business ("I spent three years under "Richard Branson]"), she's tasked with upgrading the Solana into a four-star resort. Classical music drifting over the sun-loungers? That won't wash with this gobby lot.

No Steve Pemberton tonight, although he's back as Mick next week and will share writing duties on episodes later in the run. Buenas noches!

'Benidorm' creator begins work on new show

Benidorm creator Derren Litten has revealed that he is developing a new television show.

Heavyweight swinger Donald goes AWOL on the nudist beach, his wife Jacqueline causes a water-skiing accident, Gavin's partner Troy surfaces with dramatic news, and Madge launches her new bar, the Batley Arms Thus ends another ribald season at the Solana Resort. The show may have lost three key Geoffreys - Perkins (its original producer) and Hutchings (who played Mel) have both died, while mummy's boy Geoff (Johnny Vegas) was dropped last year - but the sun still shines on Benidorm. Around seven million viewers tune in every week for Derren Litten's award-winning, lovingly spun sitcom, which remains refreshingly unabashed at mining all things crass, crude and obvious. A superlative cast makes even the bum notes sing. And Steve Pemberton shows he doesn't need the togs and teeth of his Psychoville and League of Gentlemen grotesques to create a great character. Trunks, lobster tan and a patina of sweat and he's ready to go.

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.

With brassy characters, outlandish storylines and a sun-drenched setting, it's easy to see why Derren Litten's comedy drama has become so popular. It's back for a fourth series, although it's starting to lose its sparkle. New holidaymakers include portly hairdresser Kenneth (Tony Maudsley) and party girls Sam and Natalie (Shelley Longworth and Kathryn Drysdale). Meanwhile Solana stalwarts the Garveys (Steve Pemberton and Siobhan Finneran) return to track down a beleaguered Madge (Shelia Reid).