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The guests and staff of Benidorm's all-inclusive Solana hotel.

Main Characters

     Introduced In Series 1 

Michael 'Mick' Garvey

Played by: Steve Pemberton
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 2

Patriarch of the Garveys, a working class family from Lancashire.

  • Accidental Misnaming: A minor Running Gag is people accidentally calling him Mick Gravy.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Chief snarker of the family.
  • Happily Ever After: The Garveys head off to Las Vegas during Series 7 to chase after a multi-million dollar inheritance. Their solicitor namedrops this trope word-for-word.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He may be a tight-fisted chancer but he loves Janice and dotes on his children. He'll even be kind to Madge in the right situation.
  • Lower-Class Lout: Drinks heavily, lives off disability benefits, and has a habit of flirting with other women while on holiday. Oh, and his disability claim is fraudulent.
  • Riches to Rags: After all five of Mel's sunbed shops burn down thanks to Mick using dodgy tanning sheets in the machines and not insuring any of the shops.
  • The Scrooge: Keeps a close eye on his money and is usually unwilling to do anything outside of the hotel unless it's free.

Janice Garvey

Played by: Siobhan Finneran
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 2

Mick's wife.

  • Beware the Nice Ones: As Mohammed learned when when he tried to scam Madge, try to harm Janice's family and she will, as she puts it, "get medieval on your arse".
  • Happily Married: Despite a few ups and downs, it's clear she and Mick are very happy together.
  • Mama Bear: If you mess with her family, you will get headbutted in the face.
  • Only Sane Man: Pretty much the only member of the family who's not snarking or getting into
  • Team Mom: The glue that holds the Garveys together.

Madge Harvey (Née Barron)

Played by: Sheila Reid
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 2

Janice's mother. A uniquely ill-tempered chain smoker with an unhealthy love of tanning.

  • Disability as an Excuse for Jerkassery: Subverted in that while she uses a mobility scooter on holiday, it’s because she’s lazy. She’s actually in perfect health and is surprisingly sprightly when angered enough.
  • Distracted by the Luxury: Although she does genuinely love Mel, she doesn't ignore the fact that he’s a millionaire with five sun-bed shops and a static caravan in Lisbon
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: As much of a horrible person as she is, it’s clear that her feelings for Mel are genuine.
  • Fourth-Date Marriage: Marries Mel after only knowing him for a few weeks.
  • Hair-Trigger Temper: Will suggest violent solutions at the drop of a hat; even suggesting that Janice should “hobble” (break his ankles so he can’t walk) Michael after he gets a tattoo, and threatens to batter him to within an inch of his life after he calls her out for her being such a horrible person.
  • Iconic Item: Although she hires a different one at the start of each holiday, her mobility scooter.
  • Made of Iron: Given her age (73 as of Series 6), excessive tanning, and chain smoking; it’s amazing that she’s not suffering from any noticeable health problems and can still be a tough old woman.
  • Never Mess with Granny: Loan sharks, gangsters, and attempted con artists have learned that Madge is not to be trifled with.
  • Racist Grandma: Is quick to deny this, citing (among others things) the fact that her great-grandson is mixed race and that she has records of all of Winifred Atwell’s songs.
  • Sir Swears-a-Lot: Fond of calling people "bastards" and telling them to "frig off".
  • Troll: Loves nothing more than to stir up trouble.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: When she mistakenly thinks she’s dying. Once she finds out the truth, she immediately snaps back.
  • What Does She See in Him?: Despite loving Mel, she’s quick to complain about his haemorrhoids and his snoring, and is squicked out by his leopard-print thong.

Chantelle 'Telle' Garvey

Played by: Hannah Hobley
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 3 Episode 6

Mick and Janice's teenage daughter.

Michael Garvey Jr

Played by: Oliver Stokes
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 2

Mick and Janice's excitable young son.

  • Annoying Younger Sibling: In Series 1 – 3. Hitting puberty by Series 4 and Chantelle being written out pulls him out of this trope.
  • Calling the Old Man Out: Gives an epic one to Madge in Series 5, telling her that what Mick says about her being horrible is because she’s old is incorrect, and that’s actually because she’s a genuinely horrible person.
  • Character Development: Develops a more defined personality as of Series 4 because of his increased age and gets his own B-plots and character arc in Series 6.
  • Cool and Unusual Punishment: After he gets a tattoo, Janice attaches an elastic leash to him and tethers it to Madge’s scooter when she’s not around.
  • Did Not Get the Girl: Played straight in Series 4 when he falls for a girl named Paige who is staying at the Solana but misses out on the chance to get to know her better when she and her family are moved to another hotel after the Solana floods.
  • Earn Your Happy Ending: At the end of Series 6, he singlehandedly ends the feud between the Garveys and the Dykes and gets the girl.
  • Embarrassing Tattoo: In the first episode of Series 6 (thanks to Tiger), he gets drunk and has the word “Benidorm” tattooed on his forearm in huge letters.
  • Happily Ever After: Part of the Garveys' collective one in Series 7.

Donald Stewart

Played by: Kenny Ireland
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 6 Episode 7 (Played by Kenny Ireland)
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 7 (Voice part played by an uncredited impersonator)

An amiable middle-aged swinger who is disturbingly open about his sex life.

  • Big Eater: One night in the restaurant, he eagerly tucks into Gavin's half-eaten main course after asking if he can have it as a starter.
  • Character Out Lives Actor: Kenny Ireland passed away before Series 7 was filmed but Donald is stated to be in France on a wife swapping holiday with a Welsh couple, and makes a final appearance on the phone to Jacqueline played by an impersonator.
  • Cloud Cuckoo Landers Minder: Isn't the sharpest tool in the box himself but definitely more on the ball than Jacqueline.
  • The Con: Fakes his own death at the end of Series 4 as part of a life insurance scam. It doesn't work and he ends up in prison between Series 4 and 5.
  • Dirty Old Man: Played with. Sex obsessed he may be but consent is his highest priority.
  • The Ditz: He's certainly more intelligent than his wife but not exactly an intellectual heavyweight himself.
  • Faking the Dead: Tells Gavin and Kenneth that he is dying of cancer before faking his suicide to try and a collect a life insurance policay worth £500,000.
  • Happily Married: He and Jacqueline have the most solid marriage of anyone at the Solana.
  • Nice Guy: He and Jacqueline are always amiable and happy to make new friends regardless of whether or not sex comes into it.
  • The Pollyanna: No matter what the situation, he remains good-natured and optimistic. The only exception is when his personal "Mr Big" from his time in prison (an armed robber named Lenny Chapman) turns up at the Solana.
  • The Scrooge: Big time. He and Jacqueline almost never leave the hotel or bring money on holiday with them, and he'll even try to stop other people spending money if he thinks it's unnecessary. But that doesn't stop he and Jacqueline from exploiting other people's generosity. As Mick puts it "You'd have a poke in the eye if you thought it was free".
  • Too Much Information: Something Donald has no concept of. In the space of three episodes, he talks about his friend's sex change over lunch, an orgy he and Jacqueline had with six friends before flying out, and that the resort's entertainer is very well endowed and that Jacqueline "can't get enough of him".

Jacqueline Stewart

Played by: Janine Duvitski
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Ongoing

Donald's wife. Also a swinger but she doesn't talk about it extensively as him.

Geoff Maltby AKA The Oracle

Played by: Johnny Vegas
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Ongoing

As he introduces himself: "Reigning Lancashire pub quiz champion. Unbeaten since 1993." Always holidays with his mother, who he insists is his PA.

  • Babies Ever After: Has a son named Pythagoras with Chantelle at some point after Series 3. Though by Series 7 they have separated.
  • Big Eater: Four burgers is a normal dinner for him.
  • Less Embarrassing Term: "She's not my mum, she's my PA".
  • Manchild: He's pretty much an arrogant and emotionally unstable twelve year old in a forty year old's body.
  • Momma's Boy: Goes on holiday with his mother while in his forties and is basically treated like a child.
  • Serious Business: Any form of competition no matter how trivial.
  • Small Name, Big Ego: Hes nowhere near as big a deal as he likes to think.

Noreen Maltby

Played by: Elsie Kelly
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Ongoing

Geoff's mother. Often babies him and is walked all over by him.

  • Accidental Misnaming: Call Geoff's fiancee Rubella despite being told countless times that her name is Ionella.
  • Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Prone to casually revealing embarrassing factoids about her children as well being a general Cloud Cuckoo Lander.
  • Cloud Cuckoo Lander: Put it this way: She thinks Les is actually a woman and doesn't recognise him when he's dressed as Tammy Wynette to entertain the guests. She's not without moments of lucidity and competence though.
  • Cool Old Lady: When she tries to hang out with Sam and Trudy while on holiday alone, they warn her that they spend most of their time eyeing up men. She joins in effortlessly.
  • Extreme Doormat: With very rare exceptions, she pretty much panders to Geoff's every whim.
  • Unusual Euphemism: Tends to use the phrase "Oh blood and sand!" in place of profanity.

Martin Weedon

Played by: Nicholas Burns
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 6 Episode 4

A recently married middle class holidaymaker staying at the Solana with his wife Kate.

  • The Chew Toy: Life has a tendency to crap on Martin. His wife cheating on him is the tip of the iceberg.
  • Earn Your Happy Ending: In his last appearance, after striking out with Bianca he uses Donald’s lucky coin on a slot machine and scores a massive win.
  • From Bad to Worse: His relationships. Kate was bad enough but Brandy takes things to an entirely new level, being revealed as a conwoman who used him to rob every single room in the Solana.
  • Mistaken for Pedophile: Mistakes himself for one after thinking his one-night-stand was only fifteen years old. She’s actually twenty-three and was just messing with him.
  • Nice Guy: A generally upbeat and personable guy despite his situation.
  • The Pollyanna: Attempts this but his tendency to end up as The Chew Toy puts the brakes on it at times.
  • The Bus Came Back: Returns for two episodes in Series 6 as part of a stag party.
  • Took a Level in Badass: When he enters Geoff's arm wrestling competition in Series 2. Even Kate is impressed.
  • Slumming It: The Solana is below the standards of his usual holidays but he's much more optimistic and accepting of it than Kate.

Kate Weedon

Played by: Abigail Cruttenden
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 3 Episode 6

Martin's wife. Is horrified about staying at the Solana.

  • Law of Inverse Fertility: Subverted. Martin has an incredibly low sperm count and they both know he can't give her a baby. Kate then reveals that she's pregnant in the Series 2 finale. Except she's not and the doctor she consulted was a complete quack who based his diagnosis on a 'gift' he has rather than any medical evidence.
  • Oh, No... Not Again!: When the hotel she and Martin are staying at is Series 2 double booked, she and Martin are given a room at the hotel's sister location: The Solana.
  • Put on a Bus: Is a regular for Series 1 and 2 only.
  • The Bus Came Back: Appears in the last two episodes of Series 3.
  • Slumming It: Is incredibly vocal about how far beneath her the Solana is.

Gavin Ramsbottom

Played by: Hugh Sachs
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 5 Episode 7

A gay hairdresser on holiday with boyfriend (and later husband) Troy.

  • Camp Gay: More feminine and effete than camp but as bitchy as they come.
  • Poor Communication Kills: Receives a text from Troy and thinks Troy is leaving him, leading to a brief dalliance with another man. It turns out that the text was actually one Troy was planning to send to someone squatting in one of his properties.
  • Put on a Bus: Leaves after Series 5.
  • Slumming It: His first scene has him describing the other guests as " a roomful of pikey breathers".

Troy Ramsbottom

Played by: Paul Bazely
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 4 Episode 6

Gavin's boyfriend and later husband. Also a hairdresser.

  • Easily Forgiven: Gavin forgives him for his fling with Mateo relatively quickly.
  • Nice Guy: One of the Solana's friendlier guests.
  • Parting-Words Regret: He doesn't necessarily regret it but he notes that, because his father died while he (Troy) was moving his car, his father's last words to him were "I've had the wrong teeth in for four days".
  • Put on a Bus: Is written out after Series 3 when he stays in England to look after his dying father while Gavin goes to Spain, and is subsequently mentioned to stay in England managing his father's business rather than going on holiday with Gavin.
  • Straight Gay: Nothing about his appearance or manner would suggest he's gay.
  • The Bus Came Back: Appears at the end of Series 4 after leaving in Series 3.

Mateo Castellanos

Played by: Jake Canuso
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 7

The Solana's barman. His priorities are sleeping with guests and staff, and doing as little work as he can get away with.

  • Ambiguously Bi: Will assert his heterosexuality if it is questioned but still has sex with Troy in Series 1.
  • But for Me, It Was Tuesday: Forgets about sleeping with Kate a year after it happens, claiming “I’m a busy man”. It takes her slapping him in the face for him to remember.
  • Deadpan Snarker: In the earlier episodes. It gets toned down as the series goes on.
  • Flair Bartending: Despite trying, he has no affinity for it whatsoever and is guaranteed to break everything.
  • Malaproper: A Running Gag in later episodes is his failure to understand British idioms used by staff and guests, and his failure to understand anyone with a regional accent
  • Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: Heads to Madrid with Liam after narrowly escaping his shotgun-wielding mother-in-law.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: Is much less of an antagonist from Series 4 onwards.
  • Ultimate Job Security: Frequently propositions and sleeps with Solana staff and guests but only sees any kind of job-related repercussions for it when Les sacks him for groping Bianca Dyke. Though Les does this only to keep up appearances and Joyce has rehired him mere hours later.

Janey York

Played by: Crissy Rock
First Appearance: Series 1 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 6

Manageress of the Solana.

  • The Con: Arranges a free outing to see a bullfight for the guests. The catch is that one of them has to buy an expensive juicer first. And the bull is a dog wearing plastic horns. When Mick complains about this, her smug response is "It's a free trip. What are you going to do? Ask for your money back?"
  • Depraved Kids' Show Host: When she's MC-ing at Neptune's (the hotel's bar), she's friendly and enthusiastic. At any other time, she's a Deadpan Snarker with few interpersonal skills.
  • Money, Dear Boy: The basis of most of her business decisions. When there is a fight between two guests; she throws out the party that only numbers two and is only booked in for a few nights, and lets the other party stay since they number seven and are booked in for a week.
  • Pet the Dog: The Solana makes a €500 donation to Madge after Mel dies.
  • Put on a Bus: Is replaced as manageress by Joyce Temple-Savage in Series 5.
  • The Bus Came Back: Returns in Series 7 as well as a brief cameo at the end of Series 5.

     Introduced In Series 2 

Melvin Churchill 'Mel' Harvey

Played by: Geoffrey Hutchings
First Appearance: Series 2 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 3 Episode 6

Madge's new boyfriend and later husband. A successful businessman with a big ego.

  • Batter Up!: Wields a baseball bat during his Big Damn Heroes moment.
  • Big Damn Heroes: When Mick, Janice, Madge, and several others are held hostage on the roof of the Solana by a wanted criminal; Mel hires a helicopter, has the pilot fly level with roof, and pushes the hostage taker off when he tries to board it.
  • Egopolis: In Series 3; he plans to buy an island and build a series of businesses on it, even considering the idea of calling it "Mel's Island". It turns out he can't because it's a bird sanctuary.
  • Family Business: His sunbed shops become this for the Garveys after he dies.
  • Fourth-Date Marriage: Marries Madge after only knowing her for a few weeks.
  • Get-Rich-Quick Scheme: After his death, it is revealed he tried several of these (including helicopter tours of Benidorm, and buying a racehorse), none of which panned out. The former never caught on and the latter failed because the horse committed suicide.
  • Honorary Uncle: Honorary Grandfather to Michael after he marries Madge.
  • Hypocritical Humour: Says that he doesn’t want to talk about his various mishaps at the Solana before proceeding to talk about them at length.
  • Informed Attribute: Played for Laughs. Madge describes him as the most painfully shy and introverted person she knows. Right as their bus passes an enormous advert for his new shop with his face on it.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Though the heart of gold usually only applies to Michael, Chantelle, and Madge
  • Man of Wealth and Taste: The house he buys shows that he does have better taste than the leopard-print thong would suggest.
  • Made of Iron: He suffers a number of inuries throughout Series 2 and is back on his feet shortly afterwards despite his advanced age.
  • Not Quite Dead: Nearly drowns in the first episode, is mistakenly pronounced dead by Kate in the second after being electrocuted by a faulty juicing machine, and suffers amnesia at his wedding after a parasailing Geoff crashes into him.
  • Real Life Writes the Plot: Killed offscreen in the Christmas Special because Geoffrey Hutchings died while the episode was being written.
  • Riches to Rags: He is revealed to have been in serious debt after his death.
  • Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Although he's a successful businessman, his wealth and common sense don't always match up.
  • Running Gag: Ends up injured no less than three times during Series 2.
  • Secretly Wealthy: His wealth is hinted at early on but the full extent of it is not revealed until the Series 2 finale.
  • Self-Made Man: Made his fortune running sandwich shops and then opening a chain of sunbed shops.
  • Small Name, Big Ego: He's not as important as considers himself to be.
  • What Does She See in Him?: The Garveys never really work out why he's in love with Madge.

Jack

Played by: Elliott Jordan
First Appearance: Series 2 Episode Six
Last Appearance: Series 6 Episode Six

A British bar-owner who forms a crush on Janice.

  • The Prankster: In his cameo appearance in Series Six, he pranks Michael and Tiger by pretending to be a shark.
  • Single-Target Sexuality: Tells Liam he has a very specific type of woman whilst looking over at Janice.

     Introduced In Series 3 

Les/Lesley Marshall

Played by: Tim Healy
First Appearance: Series 3 Episode 2
Last Appearance: Ongoing

A Geordie crossdresser who works at the Solana.

  • Ambiguously Bi: We only see him on dates with men but he was married and has a son.
  • Ascended Extra: Was originally a minor recurring character in Series 3 as a date Geoff meets online before appearing in the Christmas Special as Madge's driver, and becoming a regular in Series 4 after getting a job at the Solana
  • Good Parents: Will do anything for Liam, even briefly abandoning his Lesley persona because he thinks Liam needs a masculine influence in his life.
  • Nice Guy: Genial and easygoing in both his personal and professional life.
  • Paper-Thin Disguise: When dressed as Lesley, he’s far from convincing.
  • Tyrant Takes the Helm: When left in charge of the Solana, he adopts a hardline management approach and reduces the place to chaos in the space of a single day.
  • Wholesome Crossdresser: Although it's the focus of some jokes, it's shown in a positive light and only antagonistic characters act negatively towards it.
  • Wrench Wench: Played with. Although he is a man, he dresses as Lesley by default and does his own car servicing. Which is one of the reasons he won’t get breast implants.

Brandy

Played by: Sheridan Smith
First Appearance: Series 3 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 3 Episode 4

Martin's new girlfriend.

  • The Con: Her relationship with Martin is a scam to rob the residents of the Solana.
  • Lower-Class Lout: Madge disparagingly refers to her as Martin's "bit of Scouse rough".
  • The Prankster: Steals Martin's clothes during a trip to a waterfall.
  • Really Gets Around: Sleeps with Paco, Mateo, and Martin during her brief time at the Solana. Though the last two are part of The Con; Martin to gain his trust, and Mateo to steal his staff room key.
  • Slumming It: She's not happy about the state of the Solana or its clientele.

     Introduced In Series 4 

Liam Conroy

Played by: Adam Gillen
First Appearance: Series 4 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 7 Episode 7

Les's son who takes a job at the Solana as a handyman.

  • Calling the Old Man Out: Delivers a heroic version to Les when the latter stops crossdressing and tries to be the masculine influence he thinks Liam needs.
    • Gives another heroic one when he decides that Kenneth needs to take better care of himself after he has a heart attack.
  • Fiery Redhead: When he decides that Kenneth needs to start taking better care of himself.
  • Hidden Depths: Is an incredibly talented manicurist and becomes an apprentice beautician under Kenneth in Series 6.
  • Literal-Minded: Metaphors and rhetorical questions appear to be a foreign concept to him.
  • Nice Guy: Despite being one stick short of a bundle, he’s one of the genuinely nicest characters.
  • Serious Business: Treats Kenneth improving his health as this which helps him Take A Level In Badass.
  • Put on a Bus: Literally at the end of Series 7 when gets a job in Madrid.
  • Too Dumb to Live: It takes a little helpful persuasion from Les for him to realise that standing over the pool’s vertical water jet and asking for it to be tested after clearing a blockage isn’t the best idea.
  • Took a Level in Badass: Becomes more assertive in Series 6 if only towards Kenneth. He really hits his stride as far as this trope goes after Kenneth has a heart attack and keeps ignoring his doctor’s advice.

Kenneth Du Beke

Played by: Tony Maudsley
First Appearance: Series 4 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Ongoing

A colleague and friend of Gavin and Troy who eventually opens his own salon at the Solana.

  • Big Eater: There's only one Chinese buffet in Benidorm that he isn't banned from, as long as he brings his own reinforced chair.
  • Fan Disservice: Is far from an Adonis and wanders around in denim hot pants.
  • Hard-Drinking Party Girl: Has been known to stay out all night partying, get breakfast at the Solana, and go to work. His One-Hour Work Week is probably the only reason he's still alive.
  • Limited Wardrobe: Played straight with his denim hot pants and subverted with his large collection of Fun T-Shirts.
  • One-Hour Work Week: His salon is barely ever open which several characters draw attention to. His excuse is that he has a high profile client list that includes Judi Dench who prefer a closed door policy.

Sam Wood

Played by: Shelley Longworth
First Appearance: Series 4 Episode 1
Last Appearance: Series 5 Episode 7

Natalie's best friend. A brash and outgoing party girl.

  • Abhorrent Admirer: The man she has sex with by the pool. She thinks it's Mateo. It's actually a middle-aged man who is less than attractiive.
  • Hard-Drinking Party Girl: Her game-plan is usually to use the Solana for as many free drinks as possible and then go out clubbing.
  • Lovable Sex Maniac: One of her main goals in each series is to have sex with somebody.
  • Making Love in All the Wrong Places: Has sex with someone in the poolside changing cubicles. Although it's at night and the pool is deserted, Mick is able to see and hear it from his balcony.

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