DERREN Litten’s hit ITV comedy Benidorm is setting out to bring sunshine and smiles to the UK next year. A stage version of the ITV show will receive its world premiere in Newcastle next September, then arrive in Bradford from October 29 to November 3.

Litten has written a new set of Alicante escapades for the much-loved cast members as they swap sangria for the stage. The cast includes Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Adam Gillen (Liam), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple-Savage), Shelley Longworth (Sam), and Tony Maudsley (Kenneth).

Derren said: “I’ve loved ten years of writing my TV show Benidorm but despite a successful writing career I’m first and foremost a performer so have always been secretly frustrated I couldn’t hear the audience’s laughter.

“This national tour of Benidorm Live will not only make a long-lasting dream come true but will also mean I no longer have to stand in strangers’ gardens listening at their windows at 9 o’clock on cold winter evenings.”

The ensemble cast of holidaymakers and staff have been seen on TV for nine series, since the first broadcast in 2007, and season 10 is due to down in early 2018. Along the way Benidorm has received two National Television Awards, a TV Quick Award, and nominations at the British Comedy Awards and BAFTAs.

After leaving school in Hull in the late 1980s, Derren Litten spent a year working as a professional magician before studying at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama, along with Catherine Tate.

Ten years later Catherine asked Derren to write sketches for The Catherine Tate Show. As a result he was given a script commission by legendary comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins, who said: “just write anything you want as long as it’s funny”. The result was Benidorm.

Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.