Tim Healy confirms Benidorm return

Tim Healy is set to return to the next series of ITV comedy Benidorm Credit: PA

Actor Tim Healy will return to ITV comedy Benidorm for its next series after a sudden illness saw him drop out of the show last year.

Production has now begun on a 10th season, due to air in 2018, which will see Newcastle actor Healy take back his role as loveable cross-dressing hotel worker Les/Lesley.

The 65-year-old was taken ill while shooting series nine in Spain and spentseveral days in a coma.

Tim Healy in Benidorm Credit: ITV

Healy will be joined by returning co-star Shane Richie, reprising his role asentertainer Sammy Valentino for four episodes.

Meanwhile, Only Fools And Horses star John Challis will become a series regular as the character Monty Staines and comedy duo Hale & Pace will star as undercover detectives.

But while many familiar faces will return to the show, Johnny Vegas, PaulBazely and Danny Walters will be missing from the credits.

The channel's comedy commissioner Saskia Schuster said: "Benidorm is very much part of the ITV family with viewers taking these wonderful characters to their hearts."