Benidorm

The second episode of this saucy seaside comedy delivers more innuendo-laden material. Tonight, layabout husband Mick (Steve Pemberton) finds himself squabbling with uptight newcomer Pauline (Selina Griffiths), but their fights seem to end up with them in accidental sexual positions, much to the fury of Mick's wife Janice (Siobhan Finneran). That's about as sophisticated as it gets. The series boasts a raft of talented actors, including Tony Maudsley and Tim Healy, but relies for titters on jokes about gastric upset and the double meaning of "balls", which are about as funny as sunstroke.

'Benidorm' back with record ratings

Benidorm returned to record-breaking ratings last night as the sitcom reversed ITV1's Friday night fortunes, according to the latest overnight data.

Benidorm - ITV1, 9pm

Fresh from being voted Best Comedy at the National Television Awards (by viewers, not industry bigwigs), TV's bawdiest comedy returns. And it's just what we need to brighten up dark evenings.

Benidorm: Charlotte Ward goes behind the scenes

Standing around a market early on a chilly winter morning, I can't stop shivering - and not just because of my thin summer clothes.

Sheila Reid: Women are having Madge-themed hen parties

Benidorm star Sheila Reid has revealed there are real life Madge-themed hen parties in the Spanish city - where women arrive on mobility scooters.

Cilla Black, naked in a Jacuzzi. That is the prospect dangled before our imaginations in this opener, in which the former Blind Date presenter makes a cameo appearance that's as cheerfully clunky as cheap amber jewellery. It's in keeping with the series, which feels like the funny bits of yesteryear's Coronation Street sent on permanent holiday - salt and vinegar comedy that raises as much of a wince as a smile. Tim Healy stars as a the new barman and unlikely transvestite, but it's mostly the usual faces, including leathery old Madge, who finds herself on her uppers.

Oh joy! Buoyed by its deserved win at last month's National Television Awards, the sun-licked, unashamedly bawdy sitcom is back to beat away those February blues. And, yes, that really is Cilla Black playing herself - and giving the Garveys a far frostier reception at her villa than the holiday snap below implies. The big question is: what's happened to Madge and her fortune? Fear not, the vinegary gran has survived the interseason cast cull (unlike poor Johnny Vegas) and, when she does show up, bears an alarming resemblance to Ben Gunn from Treasure Island. Other delicious frights include Tim Healy as a roller-skating cocktail waitress throttling real-life missus Denise Welch, who's butched up as debt-collecting Scary Mary. And almost the entire ensemble joins in the final, chokingly funny poolside brawl.

'Benidorm' cast praise guests Bananarama

The cast of Benidorm have praised their series four guests stars Bananarama.

Benidorm Review: Costa Del ITV

Gold necklace of your name? Check. England Top? Check. Bad attitude with just a bit of campness? Check! All aboard the 9pm flight to big laughs on a Friday evening with the return of the much loved sitcom set in everyone's favorite holiday destination.

Cilla Black plays herself (appallingly) as the sitcom returns even broader, perhaps too broad and lacking Johnny Vegas more than ever. Good enough to hold your attention but now feels stretched at an hour.