The best episodes of Benidorm
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
The Garveys have a trip to the beach, where a cash-strapped Mick falls victim to a con, and later receives even worse news from a mystery photographer. Martin tells Kate he thinks her fling with Mateo has livened up their relationship, and the Oracle decides it is time he stopped going on holiday with his mum.
- 02
Madge gives the wrong impression to Donald and Jacqueline, resulting in an awkward bedroom encounter. Troy gets drunk and flirts with Mateo, and the Oracle tries to demonstrate his pool-playing prowess to Chantelle. Meanwhile, in Neptune's, Janice has her suspicions about Susie.
- 03
Mick forces his family to enter a pub quiz with a big cash prize, and is shocked to win the money. A furious Oracle demands a recount - and turns nasty when his request is refused. Madge fails to keep quiet after Kate tells her about Martin's infertility, and Donald tries to reassure Gavin about Troy.
- 04
Holiday fever takes its toll as Madge seems determined - despite Janice's pleas - to marry a man she has only known for five minutes, while an arm-wrestling match dreamed up by the Oracle and his mum provides a chance to settle old scores.
- 05
The gang sets off on what is believed to be a free trip to see a bullfight - an experience that upsets the animal-lovers but brings out the savage in Madge. Meanwhile, Telle strikes up an unlikely friendship with the Oracle.
- 06
Donald and Jacqueline help Kelly take revenge on Mateo in their own unique way, while Janice gets back at Mick for forgetting their anniversary by enjoying the flattering attentions of handsome young admirer Jack.
- 07
Janice's admirer Jack outstays his welcome, while Gavin's mother Dorothy puts in a brief appearance. Drink interferes with the course of true love when the Oracle has his big date with Telle and the gang gathers for Mel and Madge's beach wedding.
- 08
Mick interrupts Mel's romantic stroll with Madge and attempts to dissuade him from getting married, while Kate has some unexpected news for Martin. Mel and the Oracle go head to head once again - with disastrous consequences - and Mick has another run-in with the law.
- 09
Janice begins to come to terms with Chantelle's pregnancy, while all-day sunbather Madge struggles to understand the risk she is taking. Donald and Jacqueline try to hide their worries when Kelly announces her engagement to Mateo - and it seems their fears may be rooted in reality.
- 10
Kate and Martin have decamped to a nearby picturesque village - but find more than a chocolate on the pillow in their room. The Garveys return to the Solana in the company of Madge's new boyfriend Mel, who is the owner of five sunbed shops and is Didsbury's answer to Julio Iglesias. Their holiday does not get off to the best of starts when Mel's diving competition with the Oracle leads to a near fatal accident.
- 11
Martin and Kate fail to get away from the resort and find themselves babysitting Telle's youngster Coolio. Mel decides not to tackle Wuthering Heights at the karaoke night following his near-death experience, and springs a surprise on Madge.
- 12
Kelly's mother Sylvia arrives to sort out Mateo, but ends up being accused of messing with Madge's man. The mobility chairs square up as an unseemly slanging match leads to a High Noon-style confrontation by the pool.
- 13
A new batch of holiday-makers arrive at the Solana resort, including Lancashire's reigning pub quiz champion, the Oracle, and his doting mum - who he refers to as his PA. Meanwhile, the Garvey family have to contend with their foul-mouthed, chain-smoking grandma and children who do not appreciate the hot weather.
- 14
The gang returns for a goodwill stay at the Solana after being held hostage by drug dealers on their last holiday. Mel recruits Mick to run his new mobility shop, the Oracle's search for love goes on and Martin appears to have ditched wife Kate for a younger model.
- 15
Martin and Kate set off for a trip into the town centre, but the outing ends in disaster when they become lost. Meanwhile, everyone seems to be worried about Chantelle's pregnancy - except Madge, who's convinced it's a deliberate attempt to ruin her holiday. Gavin and Troy are left open-mouthed at the evening's entertainment at Neptune's.
- 16
Madge suspects her estranged daughter has turned up at the Solana with her eyes on Mel's money. Meanwhile, a cockney conman (guest star Robin Askwith from the Confessions films) starts working his charm on the guests.
- 17
When hunky Jason Gallagher (former Brookside star Philip OIivier) turns up at the Solana looking for work, Mateo gives him short shrift, telling him there are no jobs available. However, when the barman skives off, the newcomer seizes the opportunity to stand in for him without permission, and quickly attracts a crowd with his cocktail-making skills. Manager Joyce is impressed and offers him a week's trial, but Mateo is soon battling to reclaim the limelight. Meanwhile, Tiger leads Michael astray by persuading him to help steal the hotel's all-inclusive wristbands and sell them in town.
- 18
Following the stag weekend, best man Martin wakes up in bed next to Bianca, but there's a shock in store when she reveals her true age and he steels himself to face the music with Clive and Tonya. Meanwhile, Kenneth has a crisis at the salon, and when Joyce sets up a volleyball court by the pool, umpire Mateo bends the rules of the game so he can win a bet against Tiger and Michael.
- 19
Mick upsets Janice during a trip to the Callosa waterfalls, putting a strain on their relationship, while Brandy plays a practical joke on Martin that exposes his gullible side. Noreen comes to the conclusion her son, the Oracle, must be gay.
- 20
The Oracle is given the runaround from a blind date with a big secret, and Brandy seduces Mateo while Martin is not paying attention. Mel sets his heart on buying local tourist spot Peacock Island - but first he must find the mysterious Spanish owner.
- 21
Gavin begins to suspect Troy is cheating on him and the Oracle's tall tales get him into trouble with the police. A visit from Martin's mother Diana (guest star Una Stubbs) fails to raise his spirits, and Mel treads the boards with Madge at the Benidorm Palace.
- 22
Donald's practical joker pal Wink causes a stir when he checks in, Martin begs Kate to take him back and the Oracle tells his mum Noreen he is leaving home. Madge and Mel decide to stay and pursue a new business in the resort, but need to get permission from the deputy mayor.
- 23
The Garveys arrive to stay at Madge's luxury villa, only to discover she has sold it to a TV personality and promptly disappeared. While Troy nurses his ailing father back at home, Gavin turns up at the Solana resort with a new companion - his salon underling Kenneth - who seems determined to take advantage of the free food, and Mateo struggles to get used to his surprising new colleague at the pool bar.
- 24
Mateo's first aqua-aerobics class at the Solana is marred by a medical emergency, and he is forced to ask for help. The Garveys decide on a risky strategy after a gangster gives them a shock about their finances, and Pauline presents Noreen with another problem. Liam and Natalie's closeness frustrates Sam, while Gavin grows suspicious of Kenneth's sudden wealth.
- 25
A freak storm delays Pauline's return flight and tempts her to have a drink. Les struggles to keep the punters entertained, and Janice is shocked to run into an old flame. Natalie has to juggle the attentions of both Liam and Mateo, who are equally determined to win her affections, and Michael looks set to experience his first holiday romance. Meanwhile, Donald reveals his health situation may be a little more serious than he originally thought.
