Benidorm creator Derren Litten announces a return of the legendary British sitcom abroad with a tongue-in-cheek statement five years after the series ended

Benidorm creator Derren Litten has announced a return of the iconic British sitcom abroad.

The ITV show, which followed a group of holidaymakers in the Spanish seaside resort and their hilarious antics, ended in May 2018 after 11 years on our screens.

But now Derren, 53, has hinted at how he could return by making a tongue-in-cheek statement to X on Christmas Day.

He wrote: “I would like to take this opportunity to make a public statement.”

“It was a difficult decision, but I decided to start writing for television and theater again.”

The ITV show, which followed a group of holidaymakers in the Spanish seaside resort and their hilarious antics, ended in May 2018 after 11 years on our screens

He added: “I have recently received clear indications that certain television networks are interested in my decision and I hope that you will see the fruits of my labor in the near future.”

Derren then added a touch of humor as he concluded: “Of course there are always rumors about such announcements, but I want to make it clear that my decision to retire is solely to have less time to spend with my family .”

Derren also co-wrote The Catherine Tate Show, for which he both wrote the script and appeared as various characters in the first two series and the 2005 Christmas special.

Derren confirmed in 2018 that the long-running comedy had ended after ten seasons, despite previously insisting the show would continue.

He wrote on Twitter at the time: “Yes guys it’s true, after months of speculation I can finally confirm that Benidorm Series 10 was the LAST TV SERIES of @BenidormTVshow.”

A source told The Sun at the time: Benidorm has been a huge success for ITV for a decade, but bosses feel it has had its day.

“The ratings are starting to drop and some fan favorites have left the game, so it feels like it’s time to let it out while it’s still going strong.

“It was ITV’s longest-running comedy, which is a real achievement.”

But now Derren, 53, has hinted at how he might return by making a tongue-in-cheek statement on X

Derren confirmed in 2018 that the long-running comedy had ended after ten seasons, despite previously insisting the show would continue (legendary Benidorm actors Siobhan Finneran, who played Janice Garvey, and Steve Pemberton, who played her husband Mick ).

However, in November 2022, the series’ original stars attended a convention hosted by Derren, when it appeared that he might return to the show.

He was joined on stage by the original Garvey family members who appeared in the first season in 2007.

While the family left the series in season seven, actors Siobhan Finneran, Steve Pemberton, Oliver Stokes and Sheila Reid were at the convention.

Playing his character Mick during the live event, Steve asked Siobhan as Janice: “After selling this beautiful hotel in Las Vegas, could this be our next big adventure?”

Derren then asked: ‘Did you just announce Benidorm season 11? ‘Who the hell would watch this?’

He added: “Ladies and gentlemen, in the worlds of Madge Garvey in season seven, episode two: “Never say never. Never say never.”

But then Siobhan spilled the beans about rumors of a return to the hit ITV sitcom.

It comes after Siobhan (pictured) poured cold water on rumors of a return to the hit ITV sitcom last year

Actress Siobhan, 57, who played Janice Garvey, insisted the film will not be returning to screens anytime soon.

She told The Sun: “Cast and creatives met at a comedy convention for the show in the summer and a few stories came up about a possible TV revival.”

“But unfortunately it was just rumours.”

“You should probably never say ‘never’ to something this popular, but as far as I know it’s never coming back.”