Sherrie Hewson

TV preview: Are You Being Served?, BBC1

So let's face it, this does nothing new but does the old thing pretty well.

Radio Times review

"Only two types of people ever come to Benidorm. Those who never come again and those who never want to leave," says one character here. It pertains as much to the show as to its setting, but even for die-hard devotees of the sitcom's trademark vulgarity, this episode feels strained.

Daft arcs include an unwelcome renovation to the Blow & Go salon and an altercation with a biker gang for Tiger and Joey, while Joyce (Sherrie Hewson) is usurped at a property auction. Promisingly, though, the Maltbys are back together again. Led by the loutish Geoff (Johnny Vegas), there might just be hope that there's life in the old dog yet.

Sherrie Hewson interview

Benidorm star, Sherrie Hewson, 65, on finding the right man, being a doting grandma, and getting thrown out of bars...

Radio Times review

Benidorm is ailing. I speak as one who loved the earlier series but, as the eighth opens, it can barely crank out an ounce of credibility in the storylines, let alone a decent laugh. The Garveys are gone and with them any clout Steve Pemberton, Sheila Reid and Siobhan Finneran brought to the show (although Reid will be back for a guest spot).

A new family, the Dawsons (headed by a shrill Julie Graham), make little impact, while Joyce (Sherrie Hewson) seriously considers hiring the deeply unsavoury Marcus (Robin Askwith).

On a positive note, Jacqueline gives her late hubby Donald a touching send-off, aided by hairdresser Troy (Paul Bazely, returning after four years away).

Interview with hotel staff

Why is Sherrie Hewson "beyond thrilled", Tim Healy a lady and Jake Canuso in pain?

It's Strictly Come Solana tonight as the resort stages its own dance contest.

While the guests brush up on their pasodobles and their lambadas, Matthew Kelly guests as dance judge Cyril Babcock who unwisely challenges ­swivel-hipped barman Mateo to a dance-off.

Unfortunately, they didn't seem to have a lens wide enough to get Kelly's head, feet and body all in the same shot (he's 6ft 5in) so we're left none the wiser about how well he measures up in that department.

Elsewhere, new resort manager Joyce (Sherrie Hewson) thinks that Mateo has the hots for her - while Janice Garvey is alarmed to spot a familiar face lurking at the poolside bar.

We're still trying to get our heads around seeing Downton's hatchet-faced Miss O'Brien in a bikini, but her run-in with new girl Trudy proves who's the boss.

It's never been subtle, but with an increasing reliance on innuendo and slapstick for laughs, Derren Little's camp comedy drama has started to resemble an updated Carry On film. In tonight's episode, the Solana resort's exacting new manager Joyce Temple-Savage (Sherrie Hewson) organises a dance contest for guests. She ropes in an old flame, ageing TV judge Cyril Babcock (flouncing guest star Matthew Kelly), to supervise rehearsals. Over in the hair salon (now rechristened Blow 'n' Go) Kenneth has hired uninspiring new assistant Carmen (Alba Ortega), while over by the pool bar an unexpected visitor gives Janice (Siobhan Finneran) a nasty shock.

Whereas previous series have displayed a certain demented resolve to entertain on their own terms, this scarcely credible fifth series of Benidorm is visibly going through the motions - not that this is likely to stop millions tuning in. There's the super-camp guest-spot (cabaret crooner Asa Elliott); the injection of focus-grouped new talent (Loose Women's Sherrie Hewson as the Solana's fearsome new manager); the last gasp shortcut to emotional connection (a climactic Don't Stop Believin'); and enough double entendres and toilet humour ('arsonist'! Bottom from A Midsummer Night's Dream!) to have Julian Clary checking his jokebook for plagiarism. Plenty of the regulars are back, but the joie de vivre that covered many of the cracks is long gone, leaving behind a tired, cynical cash cow.