The day had finally arrived... today was the occasion that I´d been working to since May - "Presentation Day".

Private audience in Mayors office

The Mayor gave a private audience at the Town Hall prior to the official ceremony in the Rincon, with the unveiling of the plaque. We were greeted by Agustin Navarro and his Deputy Gema Amor, who is also Councillor for Tourism in his private office on the second floor.

It was here that Derren revealed that there would indeed be a 6th series - although officially it is suppose to come from ITV, he said he´d risk getting the sack! He presented a DVD box set of all the Benidorm Series as a gift for the Mayor... and in response he joked that watching it will help with his English - oh dear, I hope that he doesn´t listen too intently to swinger Donald´s lines!

Also present was British Consul Paul Rodwell, Tiger Aspect Executives and Benidorms favourite barman Mateo, aka actor Jake Canuso . I was really impressed with Jakes Spanish, he really is fluent now and was conversing easily with the Mayor - already fluent in six languages its another notch to his repertoire.

We left in convoy at 11.45am, heading to the Tourist Information office next to Morgan´s Tavern and as we approached I was absolutely stunned at the turnout. Holiday makers were there in the hundreds, along with a gaggle of press journalists and local television stations.

Waiting crowd, some of which had been there for an hour!

It took some time to get Derren, Jake, Tony (actor who plays camp hairstylist in the series) and Asa who had both joined the party at the presentation area, as they were literally besieged with fans and well wishers.  The red carpet was laid out as was a very smart lectern for the speeches. The opening speech was made by Gema Amor and translated by Yolanda Pickett, Director of Tourism - although Gema did also say a few words in English. She thanked everyone for their continued loyalty to the resort and expressed the departments acknowledgment of the importance of the British market and of course Derrens contribution in that, by basing his hit series in the Town.

The Mayor, Gema, British Consul and Derren then stepped over to the covered plaque where the red velvet curtain was removed.

Paul Rodwell with Gema Amor behind

Then followed a speech by the British Consul Paul Rodwell, who joked with Derren that in a previous episode it featured a Vice Consul that had one case per week - whereas here in Alicante, it is one of the busiest in the world dealing with an average of 1500 cases per week! Over one million Brits come to holiday in Benidorm every year, hence the heavy workload  - they deal with the most lost passports of ANY British Consulate.

Derren giving his thank you speech

Next to the lectern was the main man himself, Derren Litten - who was applauded and cheered before he could even begin to speak! He was absolutely shocked and genuinely touched by the turnout. He joked with me later that he thought that maybe a dozen people would turn up.

He gave a short speech thanking the Mayor for this acknowledgment and told everyone how he has fallen in love with the town, saying that when he wrote the very first episode he had never actually been to Benidorm. Think how different things could have turned out had he called the series Mykonos - doesn´t quite have the same ring to it does it!

 He then delighted the crowds by revealing the news that yes there would be a 6th series and filming would begin in March 2013.
Derren ended his speech in Spanish... much to everyones admiration.

Last but certainly not least was the Mayor himself, Agustin Navarro. He was very sincere with his praise to Derren and delighted that there will be a 6th series. He expressed his gratitude to all of the British people that chose Benidorm as their holiday destination and hopes that they will continue to do so. Yolanda translated the Mayors speech into English for the crowds but he did promise that he will learn the language and hopes to give his next speech in English!  I was very touched that he thanked and mentioned me by name, saying that it was my idea that got us here today.

There was then a scrum for a photo opportunity underneath the plaque with Derren and dignitaries from the Town Hall, followed afterwards with the cast members - even I had one done with the boys!

We then all headed to Morgans Tavern, aka Neptunes Bar for some tapas and refreshments to round off the ceremony.
So if you want all the info on series 6 then carry on reading. I will be updating you all on future progress and interviewing more cast once filming commences in March... remember, didn´t I hint that there may have been an announcement made today!