Kenny Ireland

Benidorm's sauciest ever moments

After eight years Benidorm has provided some massive laughs for viewers everywhere and so now we celebrate.

Paul Bazely & Janine Duvitski interview

Last seen in the final episode of Series 4, Troy is back in Benidorm and once again played by Paul Basely. Also back, following the very sad death of Kenny Ireland who played her on-screen husband Donald, is Janine Duvitski as Benidorm's most prolific swinger, Jacqueline Stewart.

Radio Times review

Joyce has survived her botched facial at the hands of Kenneth and wants to know exactly what was injected into her skin. The delusional Geoff (Johnny Vegas) builds bridges with the Dykes but only makes an even bigger fool of himself - in a bizarre incident involving hot coals. Les's embittered ex-wife Gloria (Denise Black) tries to lure their son Liam back to Oldham, while Jacqueline and gloomy Glynn gatecrash a pilota ball game.

An eventful episode then, but almost mirth-free as Benidorm paddles in ever shallower waters. And Janine Duvitski looks bereft paired with Alan David in place of her comedy partner, Kenny Ireland.

Radio Times review

Hola! to the Solana resort and its gallery of grotesques for seven more instalments of smut in the sun. Benidorm is well past its best, no doubt about that, but if you're as fond of the regulars as I am, this annual reunion is as cheering as a blow-out with a bunch of old buddies.

Transvestite Lesley and randy Mateo lead a workers' revolt when Joyce slashes their pay. But sniff closely and there's a whiff of transition in the air. Only the male Dykes check in this year; a fax from the US signposts the imminent exit of core family, the Garveys; and swinger Jacqueline has a new man in her life. (Her hubby Donald has been written out; sadly, the lovely actor Kenny Ireland wasn't well enough to film and he died in July 2014.)

On a happier note, later in the run Johnny Vegas will return as slobby Geoff, after a five-year break, along with Elsie Kelly as his daffy mum, Noreen.

Benidorm star Kenny Ireland fighting cancer

Benidorm star Kenny Ireland is fighting cancer, it has been revealed. The actor - who plays swinger Donald Stewart in the ITV show - has been written out of the latest series as he battles the disease and undergoes treatment.

Interview with Donald and Jacqueline

Donald and Jacqueline - aka Kenny Ireland and Janine Duvitski - are ITV's sauciest swingers - but what makes them blush?

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.

Benidorm actor Kenny: We're called pervs

Kenny Ireland and his on-screen wife get called perverts because of their characters' fondness for swinging.