| Series Number: | 1 |
| Bgcolour: |
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| Starring: |
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| Num Episodes: | 6 |
| Network: | ITV |
| First Aired: | [1] |
| Episode List: | List of Benidorm episodes |
The inaugural series of the ITV television series Benidorm, which is a sitcom set in an all-inclusive holiday resort (The Solana) in Benidorm, Spain, began broadcasting on 1 February 2007, consisting of six episodes.[2] The entire series was directed by Kevin Allen and written by Derren Litten.[3] [4] The first series introduced the Garvey family, consisting of Mick (Steve Pemberton), Janice (Siobhan Finneran), Chantelle (Hannah Hobley), Michael (Oliver Stokes) and Janice's mother Madge Barron (Sheila Reid); swingers Donald (Kenny Ireland) and Jacqueline Stewart (Janine Duvitski); mother and son Noreen (Elsie Kelly) and Geoff "The Oracle" Maltby (Johnny Vegas); homosexual couple Gavin (Hugh Sachs) and Troy Ramsbottom (Paul Bazely); un-keen couple Kate (Abigail Cruttenden) and Martin Weedon (Nicholas Burns); and Solana staff Mateo Castellanos (Jake Canuso) and manageress Janey York (Crissy Rock).
Overall, the series received an average viewership of 4.43 million, with the opening episode receiving 5.86 million viewers. The series concluded on 8 March, with the series finale attracting 4.13 million. The first series was heavily praised, resulting in it being recommissioned for a second series, which was broadcast between March and May 2008.
| Episode | Running time | Original air date (United Kingdom) | ITV ratings | Weekly rank | Rating increase / decrease | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 minutes | 1 February 2007 | 5.86 | 22 | ||
| 2 | 22 minutes | 8 February 2007 | 4.86 | 25 | ||
| 3 | 22 minutes | 15 February 2007 | 3.88 | 29 | ||
| 4 | 22 minutes | 22 February 2007 | 4.02 | 27 | ||
| 5 | 22 minutes | 1 March 2007 | 3.85 | Outside Top 30 | ||
| 6 | 22 minutes | 8 March 2007 | 4.13 | 25 | ||
| Series average | 2007 | 4.43 | — | |||