- 2 days ago
Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun - Season 14 Episode 52
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00:00Psst, do you want to know a secret?
00:03Us Brits love the costas.
00:06We are Spies!
00:08We are sun worshipers. Loads of fun.
00:11Cat's out of the bag now, Linda.
00:13But it really is.
00:14And with over 300 days of that glorious sunshine a year,
00:18it sure beats the cold and grey of the old UK.
00:21Ah, this is a lie.
00:23Living that dream can be blooming hard graft.
00:26Mr...
00:27My lad, you alright?
00:29Stress level?
00:30Through the roof.
00:32But at the end of the working day...
00:34Girl power!
00:35Girl power! Come on, Sam!
00:36Forward!
00:37Booyah!
00:38The quality of life on the costas...
00:43...is priceless.
00:44Cheers!
00:45Peace and love. Cheers.
00:47That's why there will always be...
00:50Hold your horses.
00:51Easy go on.
00:52She floats in the river.
00:53Sun sees sand, what more could you ask for?
00:56Bargain-loving Brits in the sun.
00:58Yeah!
01:01Today on the costas...
01:02So this is the three bed, is it?
01:04This is the three bed.
01:05London Last Jojo hopes a new business venture with Bambi pays off.
01:10This time next year we'll be millionaires.
01:12This is the bedroom, where all the magic doesn't happen.
01:18Bite-sized pooch causes problems for motor homers Matt and Lisa.
01:23Chico.
01:24Where's it gone?
01:25I don't know, Lisa.
01:26This is the only thing you see, it runs off.
01:28And we rewind to opening night with singer Ben and the time he launched a brand new act.
01:34This one's a lot more serious, you know, you're being an absolute megastar.
01:38So this way is the sea, and if I look just over like that, I get a shot of the sea, which I love.
01:5430 miles along the coast from Malaga in Taurox Costa.
01:58So this is my kitchen.
02:00It's a bit ickle-dickle-dy at the moment.
02:03Cockney lass Jojo's settling into her dream seaside pad.
02:07So, da-da-da-da-da-da-da. Dishwasher.
02:12Oh, and it's just done. Never got to wash up again. I love that.
02:17Living the dream.
02:19Jojo moved to Spain almost five years ago and started out living in a caravan.
02:25I haven't really unpacked everything yet. I've still got my shoes in a bag down there.
02:29But carving out a life and career on the costas hasn't been easy.
02:33When I first moved to Spain, it was a difficult time.
02:36I was moving here by myself.
02:39It wasn't the dream that I anticipated and I needed to earn some money.
02:44So I thought I would have a table here, a table over there, maybe a couple of umbrellas.
02:49I sold British food and delivered it to houses.
02:53Then I sold shoes and did my singing.
02:57Sometimes I've had to go out and do a gig, you know, to get through the weekend or do a market, pay the rent.
03:02My life has pretty much been that for the last four or five years.
03:07But that could be about to change.
03:09Oh, let's make this bed before I leave.
03:12Because three months ago, Jojo took a leap of faith and set up a caravan sales business with her good pal Bambi.
03:18Me and Bambi put our heads together and thought, why build somebody else's empire when you can build your own?
03:25So we just thought to ourselves, let's do it.
03:28Jojo started selling caravans in Spain three years ago.
03:31I love mobile homes.
03:33I started off in a mobile home and I think it's a great entry to Spain.
03:37And Bambi's got seven years of experience under her belt.
03:42Come on then.
03:44Bambi's my friend first and foremost, but she is the caravan queen and she's helped me know everything I can about caravans.
03:53Such a busy day today.
03:56I need to meet Bambi because we can't get homes quickly enough to get on plots at the moment.
04:02I've got so much work and I need to share it with her.
04:05Today, the pair are meeting at the caravan showground in AlarÃn de la Torre.
04:11Hiya Bambi, we're setting off now. Be cool, I should be there for two. Bye.
04:17Let's go.
04:19Jojo needs Bambi to cast her experienced eye over a new luxury static she thinks they could sell.
04:26In English it's called the dragonfly. Not sure what it's called in Spanish, but it's absolutely beautiful and I wanted to really like it.
04:32But it's more expensive than anything Bambi has sold before.
04:37Hello darling. Hello.
04:39You look gorgeous. Oh, you've got your new boots on.
04:41I am.
04:43Oh, the Benidorm boots.
04:44When we went to Benidorm, we bought these boots. Bargain, tenor a pair. Oh my God. Yes.
04:50I love them. Yeah, they're comfy.
04:52Taking on a place with such a big price tag could be a risk for their fledgling company.
04:57I want to see this because I haven't seen the new house yet. I know.
05:01I know. The Spanish home, so.
05:02Good luck persuading her, Jojo.
05:08Up the coast in Benidorm.
05:11I'm Lisa.
05:12And I'm Mark.
05:13Welcome to our motor home.
05:14Lancashire's Lisa and Derbyshire lad Mark swapped bricks and mortar for a life on the road three years ago.
05:21Well, this is my pride and joy. Our big, well, big for a motor and fridge freezer.
05:27There isn't a lot of food, but there's some cans of shandy in there.
05:31We're currently in Benidorm and we've been travelling around Spain for...
05:35Nearly three months now.
05:36Yeah. This is the bedroom where all the magic doesn't happen.
05:41Mark always wanted to have a motor home.
05:43I wasn't keen because I thought you had to be over 60 to have a motor home.
05:47How wrong was I?
05:48You'll notice round our van, there's a lot of bees and there's a big reason for that.
05:55Me and my daughter were both involved in the Ariana Grande concert bombing.
06:02And the Manchester Bee became quite a big symbol for the concert.
06:07Thankfully, Lisa and her daughter Olivia weren't injured in the 2017 bombing, but it had a big impact on them all.
06:15It was horrific.
06:16I still remember that night now when I got that phone call from Lisa and it's something I'd never want to have to sort of live through again.
06:22It was a very harrowing time and the things that we witnessed that night made me want to go out and live and see more of life.
06:31Hence probably the reason why we've got into the motor home. It's one of the reasons that's pushed us into doing this.
06:37Three years after the bombing, Mark and Lisa quit their jobs and now live permanently in their motor home.
06:46Everyone thought we were absolutely crazy.
06:48In hindsight, it's probably the best thing we've ever done.
06:50It is the best thing we've ever done. It really is.
06:53To keep the wheels turning for their new nomadic life on the road, bargain hunter Lisa watches the pennies.
06:58The way we like to do motor home is we call it wild camping. So basically, you can pitch up anywhere, but every now and then we need to find a site because we'll need to do the washing.
07:11We need to drop our black waste, which is your toilet.
07:15Well, I guess that's a penny you do have to spend.
07:18But super scrimper Lisa does have one weakness when it comes to splashing the cash.
07:24It was a surprise to us as it was to everyone else. I'm like, what do I do with this little bundle here?
07:30And he's just been brilliant. He's the perfect companion for a motor home.
07:34This is Chico. He's the third member of the clan. He's tiny. He doesn't eat a lot. He doesn't cost a lot, which is great in my books.
07:43We got Chico from Benidorm two years ago and you love your clothes. Hence why Chico has a massive wardrobe.
07:51You should have called him Claudia Schniffer.
07:56Since Brexit, Brits can only stay in the EU for 90 days in any six month period.
08:01We need to get our stuff ready.
08:04Mark and Lisa have only got two weeks left, so they're on a mission to make the most of their time in Benidorm.
08:09So today Mark is dragging me to somewhere that he's heard of, which is called Uncle Ron's and it is a belly buster breakfast.
08:20Breakfast, yeah.
08:22If Mark manages to finish the biggest of breakfasts, his food will be on the house.
08:26Right, come on. It's going to be a challenge dinner.
08:28And that means there will be extra pennies in the pot to spend at the market this afternoon.
08:33Let's go and hit Benidorm.
08:37Coming up.
08:39Absolutely fantastic costume.
08:41Could it be magic for tribute at Ben on his make or break night juggling three gigs?
08:46For about three minutes, they're going to be playing the intro, so I've really got to go.
08:49And...
08:50Here we are, Mark. Menu.
08:51Here we are.
08:52Mark could be biting off more than he can chew with the breakfast challenge.
08:55I feel like I am still, aren't I? It'll be out of my face.
08:57Ha, ha, ha.
09:07Us Brits in Benidorm might like to soak up the rays during the day.
09:11But when night falls, it's party time.
09:18I hope you've seen a very shady man.
09:21Entertainment's brilliant. You couldn't get better entertainment, could you?
09:24Nah.
09:26The spotlights come on and the stars come out.
09:28Tonight, man, I'm Liam Gallagher, Benidorm, tribute to Oasis.
09:32Where anywhere can you go and see Tom Jones, Elvis, Liam Gallagher?
09:38You're clearly man for him, Denise.
09:41We've seen Wham. Oh, Wham were brilliant.
09:43They were really good, wasn't it? Ed Sheeran.
09:46Probably the best tribute act you've seen so far is the Blues Brothers.
09:49Yeah, I really get into it.
09:50Wow.
09:51We saw the Meat Loaf one as well.
09:56I don't really know why I like it, to be honest.
09:58If it's a good one, I suppose it's like seeing the real thing,
10:01but much, much cheaper, I suppose, you know.
10:03Cheaper, but just as much hard work.
10:13Welcome to our humble abode.
10:14Back in 2021, singer Ben and his girlfriend Amaya
10:18were settling into their new Costa Blanca pad.
10:21It's in a beautiful place called Alfaz del Pi,
10:23so it's ten minutes from Benidorm.
10:25You're away from all the craziness of Benidorm.
10:27They're still close enough to go in for work purposes or for a day out.
10:30OK, if you come this way, I'll show you one of my stage jackets.
10:36Absolutely fantastic costume.
10:39Take that! Ben is Benidorm's answer to Gary Barlow.
10:43This is one of my infamous jackets.
10:45I've had it altered so it fits me perfectly,
10:47but it's very much the iconic take that look.
10:50Ben moved to Spain in 2016.
10:52I had an amazing job back home teaching kids music, drama, singing.
10:58I loved it.
10:59And then one day I saw an advert on social media wanting a boy band in Benidorm,
11:04and I thought, I'm going to go for that.
11:06Never worked abroad, really wanted to do that, so auditioned and got the part.
11:11But it takes hard work to survive in Benidorm, and you're only as good as your last show.
11:16You can be finished like that.
11:18Self-employed performers in Spain also have to pay for a licence,
11:22whether they're getting gigs or not.
11:24You have a fee every single month, a set fee, no matter what your income is.
11:28And for most of us, it's roughly around €300 that you have to pay every single month,
11:32before your rent and before all your outgoings,
11:34so we have to make sure we get the gigs in.
11:36And we're revisiting the time Ben had three gigs to cram into a single night.
11:41I think I'm pretty much ready.
11:43We'll find out soon enough, Ben.
11:54This picture was taken approximately 28 years ago.
11:57It's of myself, my wife and my youngest daughter, Megan.
12:00This felt to bring up memories of my younger years in cooking,
12:06working seven days a week, 12, 15 hours a day in the kitchen,
12:11and Lorraine being at home trying to bring up a family on her own.
12:20It just brings back special memories for me,
12:22from when we were a young family growing up,
12:24and Megan's growing into a lovely young lady.
12:30I can't believe the moustache I had.
12:34Why I ever thought that was fashionable, I don't know.
12:42Wherever we are, us parking Brits like to hold our nearest and dearest close.
12:47Lisa's run off.
12:49Oh, grand stuff.
12:51But at the campsite in Benidorm...
12:53Chico.
12:54Where's it gone?
12:55I don't know, Lisa.
12:56This is the only thing you see, it runs off.
12:58Thrifty northerners Mark and Lisa have lost their cherished Chihuahua, Chico.
13:03Chico, yeah?
13:04And the eyes under the motor, obviously, is that small.
13:07Yeah.
13:08They had a packed day planned to make the most of their last two weeks in Benidorm,
13:12but that could be hitting the skits.
13:14Cheeks, where is it? Chico, yeah?
13:17Chico, where is it?
13:19Well, when he gets out, because he's so small,
13:22he can just get under everything, and he just sort of thinks,
13:25I don't want to be in there anymore, I want to go out for a walk.
13:27So that's what he does, isn't it?
13:28You're a little diva, aren't you? That's what it is.
13:32We've got him anyway, thank God.
13:33Thank God.
13:37OK, you better get a move on.
13:40Right, Mark, one or two Tupperware.
13:42How much are you going to leave?
13:43Just one, they're massive, then.
13:44Right, OK.
13:45The first stop is Mark's belly-buster breakfast,
13:48and if he can eat it all, it'll be free.
13:51Don't forget, you've got to try and sneak the food into it.
13:54I'm not going to sneak it in.
13:55You're going to leave it anywhere,
13:56because you're not going to do the challenge.
13:58Lisa's also planning to get her money's worth if he fails.
14:02Every time we went for one of these challenges,
14:04he could never finish it,
14:06so I've started taking Tupperware tubs with me.
14:09We have been, though, to take him
14:10until he can eat Chinese buffets as well, haven't we?
14:12Yeah, so...
14:13I don't think he'd take kindly to it for quarters, but...
14:15No, but you've got to make your money stretch somewhere,
14:17haven't you?
14:18Can he?
14:19And every euro they save on food
14:21helps to kit out their pampered pooch.
14:23Right, so this is Chico's bag.
14:25Every time we go out somewhere,
14:27look at him.
14:28He's dying to get in it.
14:29He loves it.
14:31Brilliant.
14:32But they'll only be serving breakfast for another hour,
14:34so you'd better get on your bike,
14:36or should I say, your solar-powered scooters.
14:38This is my bad boy of a scooter.
14:40This is who I use.
14:41That's Lisa's, and this is mine here.
14:43Erm...
14:44And do you know something?
14:45I've done over 2,000 kilometres on that.
14:47Wow!
14:48And about half of them have been going to the toilet block and back.
14:51When you ready?
14:52Right, let's go.
14:53Go and get this breakfast.
14:55To help fund their new life in the sun,
14:58they started sharing their travels online.
15:01Hi, I'm Lisa.
15:02And I'm Mark.
15:03And we are...
15:04Northerners on Tour.
15:06People started wanting to watch it.
15:08We're getting a few people viewing and commenting.
15:10Real good.
15:11Like, we'll carry on.
15:12Yeah.
15:13So that's us through French passports.
15:14You've got English passports and French passports.
15:17So I said to Marquette, got a French passport?
15:19But they have got almost 44,000 subscribers.
15:23We're heading off tomorrow, aren't we?
15:25Nine o'clock.
15:26We're heading off tomorrow.
15:27We're going to...
15:28Bordeaux.
15:29And the money they make from their videos keeps them on the road.
15:33Every day is a different adventure.
15:35And every country is a different viewer to your front door.
15:39But the main thing is the saving of the money.
15:43You have no gas.
15:45You have no mortgage.
15:46We run on solar most of the time.
15:48So we're self-sufficient, aren't we?
15:50We are literally living for free.
15:52If Mark can complete the Breakfast Belly Buster Challenge this morning,
15:56his food today will be free, too.
15:59Here we are, Mark. Menu.
16:01Here we go.
16:02You've only got 20 minutes.
16:0420 minutes?
16:05Now, that's an unexpected blow.
16:07But Lisa's still got her eye on the prize.
16:09Oh, you've got to do it.
16:10You get it for free.
16:11It's a complete bargain.
16:12Oh, yeah.
16:13We'll have to...
16:14A bit like a hamster, won't it?
16:15It'll be out of my face.
16:16She's planned to hit the market later and wants the money to bag some bargains.
16:21Come on.
16:22You can do it.
16:23Get in there.
16:24Let's go and do it.
16:25Oh, I hope you're hungry, Mark.
16:27Let's do it.
16:28Let's show you this beautiful home.
16:30Come on, then.
16:31At the Caravan Showground in Alaren de la Torre...
16:34So, in English, it's called the Dragonfly.
16:36So, what's it called in Spanish?
16:37La Liberlula.
16:38Liberlula.
16:39Good pals Bambi and Jojo are building up a new caravan sales business together.
16:44It's four metres by 10.5.
16:45It's absolutely stunning.
16:46Jojo wants to invest in a high-end portable palace, but she needs Bambi to agree.
16:47Okay, so this is the three bed, is it?
16:48This is the three bed, but we can do it as a two bed with a walking wardrobe and a larger
16:51second bedroom.
16:52Oh, that's a nice idea.
16:53Yeah.
16:54Starting a new business from scratch is always difficult and kind of nerve wracking, but
17:02we have plots on the caravan parks and we like to stick within people's budgets and they
17:21budget and they can buy quality second-hand ones or they can have new ones it depends what they
17:25want but the starting price of 78,000 euros this new caravan is twice the price of their budget
17:32range statics I love the flow of the house it's really contemporary it's very contemporary look
17:39at the high ceilings as well and it's insulated differently they're proper walls so it stays
17:44cool in the summer and warm in the winter so it's really good adding this luxury home could pay off
17:51but if it's too pricey it will be an expensive risk they're like having a little bunker as we know
17:58caravan queen Bambi sold hundreds of statics in Spain so the pressure's on her to make the final
18:09decision I absolutely love the new home I think it's perfect for some of our customers and I
18:14think it's really good to offer them a variety of homes depending on their lifestyle well done
18:19Jojo it's a thumbs up from Bambi but now you need to sell them me and Bambi we've got a plan and we
18:26manifest stuff but the stresses of working for yourself is always that you might not make enough
18:30money I hear you to make sure this risk pays off the pair need to spread the word about their new
18:36caravan right we're ready to go live in about three minutes what better way than promoting it to
18:43potential buyers online I've got to use my dance skills have a nice yeah dancing skills for selling
18:50caravans well I suppose it's spacious enough for a high kick in the kitchen or a tango in the toilet
18:56I'm going live in three two one good afternoon guys welcome to our showgrounds we've got the
19:06lovely Bambi say hello guys hello everyone would you like to come in yeah let's go follow me we're
19:13gonna go and have a tour of the three-bedroom Spanish home hundreds of expats choose a static in the sun
19:19to start their dream life in Spain so if today goes well it could be very lucrative
19:25right so this is a free bedroom beautiful Spanish home oh we're unconnected unfortunately oh dear
19:35hopefully you ladies can get the day back online later because those caravans won't sell themselves
19:41so yeah just got in now um one of three shows about to go on as night falls in Benidorm
19:52Gary Barlow tribute act Ben is late for his first performance for about three minutes they're going
19:58to be playing the intro so I've really got to go so I'll catch you guys later he's juggling three gigs
20:03tonight and needs to impress at everyone to keep the bookings coming in
20:07joining him on stage is good pal Ash aka Robbie Williams
20:15well it looks like the boys are really lighting up this crowd especially him go on lad
20:30what a crowd yeah good show nice crowd good people love that right love that next show how long we
20:53got nine minutes nine minutes right just like the song it only takes nine minutes lads right let's get
20:59the dollar show number two and the crowd are definitely falling in love thank you so much
21:11that was good if they can pull off the third gig it could be the greatest night of their lives
21:18final one now and one last chance to shine if Gary Barlow was here tonight be saying what an
21:26absolutely fantastic well we got an air tonight keep working that audience Gary I mean Ben
21:33thank you so much have a great holiday love you guys cheers thank you that's the three gig juggle
21:43done but did the crowds think Ben ruled the world we've seen three or four acts tonight and I'd put them
21:49there at the top brilliant it would be 11 out of 10 they really work the crowd and a good night yeah
21:57three shows back to back it's hard going from one to the different places but the night's gone really
22:04well tonight I've really really enjoyed it good work Ben I'd say those audiences will want you back for good
22:10roll on tomorrow coming up oh Bobby that's Mark's eyes could be bigger than his belly where's the rest of it
22:22how far is it up and is it on the left and Jojo's putting pleasure before business one wine game a pool
22:31morning table for two please thank you in buried home are you still doing the belly buster yeah yes
22:50oh thank you cash careful northerners Mark and Lisa have planned a day of bagging bargains
22:56oh dear are you ready for this the first stop is a belly buster breakfast
23:04the challenge is 20 minutes and you get it free if you complete it okay if not then you pay nine
23:10euros right that's fine there's four of everything four that's four days worth of food
23:16four hash browns 1,400 people have attempted the challenge in the last year and only 45 have
23:24completed it no sneaky bits into the Tupperware Lisa until the 20 minutes is all right I'll try my best
23:38anyway so if Mark scoffs the lot he'll make it onto the memorial wall sorry that the the wall of fame
23:45oh thank you lovely thank you oh oh god Bobby that's where's the rest of it let's not get cocky yet
23:54Mark you've got a full loaf on there go good luck thank you 20 minutes and he's off
24:04going to be a rush this Lisa stop talking start eating diving straight in with a toast and a bean combo
24:10you're never gonna do that never ever ever you're supposed to be cheering him on it's actually good
24:19Lisa that's really nice keep eating these no-nonsense northerners quit their jobs for a life on the road
24:25three years ago we have been down to Germany Bruges France Belgium Italy been everywhere you have to
24:34prefer than that mark keep eating it's not enough time in a lifetime to go around the world is and
24:40you can't do it but we'll have a damn good bash at it that is our plan I'm about done here I'm
24:46absolutely stuffed out and I don't even want to start looking at that fried bread you could have done
24:51with Mark having a better bash at his breakfast though Lisa oh not good I've only got a small
24:56Tupperware tub yeah we knew it look at that have you not got a wall of shame yeah I'm glad I brought
25:08the Tupperware because he's gonna be eating this for tea tonight breakfast tomorrow and tea tomorrow
25:12night so it's gonna save me cooking and save us a fortune well every cloud Lisa all right what do you
25:20come on sausage put the healthy stuff in bacon put that ash brown it just have one fried bread then
25:27well I've got to think of a waistline oh Mark I think we're long past that with this belly
25:33buster we should have bought another tubs really shouldn't we for the rest of it well you would
25:36have if Lisa had had her way thanks a lot yeah same time tonight with breakfast done I think there's room
25:48here Lisa now they need to make the most of the market let's go and buy some bargains and in Spain Lisa's
26:00not the only Brit who likes to sniff out a good deal so many bargains the food the drink everything's a
26:08bargain along here you could get two pints for 490 I'm just can't get over the prices it's amazing do you
26:15know like the um Spanish dresses like with the spots on flamenco dresses I got one of those the
26:21other day for my little sister and that were only 80 euros I was like what a bargain it is
26:26Acacia you can get a bargain we're getting it I don't like to pay the full price for anything
26:32I've got roll pockets and short arms oh I've got the same problem Judith and in Benidorm take that
26:41tribute singer Ben's cashing in on the ultimate bargain lunch I was in catering school as a teenager
26:47can you tell a chip butty made by his girlfriend Amaya you're the best chef in the world babe
26:56Ben made a name on the tribute scene performing as Gary Barlow but in 2022 he added another act to
27:02his repertoire it's very easy to be sort of stuck in a rut year by year I wanted to sort of change
27:08things around a little bit and we're rewinding to the time he revealed his new alter ego for the
27:13first time but who are you gonna be Ben first thing is the baby guitar it's only a prop but it looks so
27:22good on stage also this person's known for so many glittery outfits we're going for the beaded shirt here
27:31go on give us another clue because we're rolling back the years we're going back to the 1970s back
27:37then Cuban heels I give up who is it I said well yeah I can put together a Neil Diamond show sweet
27:46Caroline Ben's bringing his version of this music legend to town I didn't want to just stand there
27:53in a glittery shirt and sing the songs of Neil Diamond I wanted to be Neil Diamond but replicating
27:58one of America's best-selling singer-songwriters will be no easy feat how long do you think you'll
28:04be able to hold up for the American accent hopefully the whole show a bit apprehensive a little bit
28:09nervous I always think the hotel shows have a bit more pressure to them people have paid a lot of
28:14money to stay and you're going to be providing the entertainment Benidorm already has a legendary
28:19Neil Diamond tribute act 30-year veteran JJ Jones he got a record deal aged 16 and has been around the
28:27world singing Neil Diamond hits since the 90s but Ben plans to focus on diamonds earlier work it's
28:34good to have sort of a best of both really people can pick and choose or see both you know there's no
28:38competition they're both completely different shows JJ's on board with Ben's double diamond plan
28:43and has come to give him a pre-show pep talk I think I've watched every live performance of every song
28:59that I do just to grasp how how he performs live one at the theater in Los Angeles have you seen that one
29:05yeah it comes out with a rose yeah it seems if you know what I mean yeah one of the main things I'm
29:10grateful for it he's not the biggest dancer in the world he's hardly like an Elvis so we don't have
29:15to learn much choreography he's very much a swayer you've obviously done your homework and I'm sure
29:19the door will be knocking from promoters and managers and god knows what else and hopefully see you in
29:24Vegas one but yeah thank you thank you well before Vegas Ben needs to break Benidorm time to get ready
29:33to sparkle a little bit more yes please heading west towards Malaga so yeah Fally Nissa we just got a
29:46look where it's going I'm going to show you what's happening with it that's good so for me to be able
29:52to visualize it on a plot yeah Jojo's taking business partner Bambi to see some potential new caravan
29:59parking spots I still feel at home when I come down to this part of the coast well you spent a lot of
30:06time here didn't it you know I I love Malaga City I love Malaga I love Spain in general I came on
30:13holiday at 16 with my friends and I was just in love straight away and I knew that I would live
30:19here one day same came came for my 21st birthday and I got off the plane I was like oh that's all lots
30:25of people same color as me when I was younger there wasn't a lot of that wasn't as many mixed-race
30:32people as there are now no I was like oh everyone looks like me that's exactly how I felt because I was
30:39adopted and I was a different color from that everyone in my family I didn't I didn't feel
30:45like I fitted in at all and then I hit in Spain and everyone was brown and I thought oh my god they're
30:51all brown yeah these bosom buddies are just three months into their new caravan sales business
30:57jojo's been busy finding some prime plots on caravan parks to place their statics so how far is it
31:08up and is it on the left yeah it's on the left but before they commit they both need to agree this
31:14plot next to us right now this is going to be one of the 36 footers and then we're going to have
31:19another one going next to it that's lovely Bambi and Jojo both left permanent jobs to start this
31:27business I love helping single people come out here because I've done it Bambi single I'm single
31:32we're women by ourselves doing it for ourselves so this one double plot so is this the one for
31:39the Spanish I yeah I'm growing my own future I'm you know I'm not stagnant anymore I'm not running
31:46around like crazy fall I know where I want to go it's about 15 wide it comes to about here and I
31:56went out yesterday and I saw a jacket in the window or somewhere and I thought I can actually afford
32:01that now and I've not been able to do that before so it's really lovely impressed it'll be beautiful
32:07can't wait to see it on plot it's gonna be amazing stuff isn't it for them it whoever buys it isn't it
32:12it's lovely I remember how I felt when I bought mine with Bambi seal of approval on both the new
32:18plots and the caravan well done Jojo I can always rely on you the ladies can finally stop talking
32:24shop I've want to go and have some fun I want a cheeky wine as well yeah oh are you gonna have a
32:28wine one wine game a poll show you how it's done and let's have some fun yeah yeah yeah come on let's
32:41go I'm looking for a cap Lisa if I can find one at the indoor market in Benny Dorm it's got to be
32:52stylish though isn't it as soon as I shave my hair off I need something to stop that you don't shave that
32:56off it falls off naturally Mark savvy spenders Mark and Lisa are searching for bargains that's nice
33:03actually I do like that oh cap see a Lisa look that's perfect for you any dorm as well yeah your
33:12favorite place just see if it fits well if the cap fits Mark oh perfect 10 years younger no it's not
33:21that good mark but the good thing is five euros sorry yeah bargain but Mark and Lisa have almost maxed out
33:28on the number of days they're allowed to spend in the EU on this trip look at that 6.99 so they're
33:35stocking up on Benidorm bargains before they head back to Blighty we need something for Chico Chico's got
33:41to get something today he's got to have something ah cheeks oh look at that look is that okay well we
33:53get all of his clothes from Spain more or less don't we Spain's fantastic for little doggies for I mean
33:59five euros for a jumper thank you very much Austria the same things with 70 80 euros I cannot still can't
34:06got my head around that. It's not a shopping day without Chico getting something, is it?
34:11And at just three euros, it hasn't broken the bank either. He gets spoiled rotten here,
34:16doesn't he? Yeah, yeah. Because it's so cheap. With their bags bulging, their motorhome beckons,
34:21and Chico's ready for his fashion show. Ooh, he's so cute, just like you. Look. Oh, look,
34:30we're matching. And we couldn't resist this, could we? No, this is just perfect, isn't
34:36it? This just sums all three of us up, doesn't it, really? And it was only five euros. Look
34:41at that. All you need is love and a chihuahua. When you first start van life, it is a culture
34:51shock completely, because you're used to having so much money coming in from a full-time job.
34:56You're used to being able to get what you want, when you want. That changes, but you do adapt.
35:02It's hard for adapt or die, because you won't be able to survive if you don't budget.
35:11The best view ever up here. I've never had a campsite like this where the view is like
35:15this. It's gorgeous. It's been great today, back in Benidorm. We're going to miss the weather,
35:21and we're going to miss the shopping and the bargains that we can get, because there's nothing
35:26really much like that in the UK. But there's always next time. Yes. There is. And in the
35:32meantime, Mark's still got some unfinished business. Mark? Ready for your dinner? I'm still full.
35:40You're still full? Yeah. Well, it was called a belly buster. Bust me. It's busting. Yeah,
35:45definitely. Coming up. I have no idea what he is and what he does. Bambi and Jojo get ready to let
35:56off some steam. She looks like a Dalek. And I got this imported from a specialist company in America.
36:04Ben's got first night nerves. This one's a lot more serious. You know, you're being an absolute
36:10mega star. He's officially an acorn in music. Welcome, Bambi, to my humble abode. It's lovely.
36:28In Torrox Costa. I'll trust you to have the biggest balcony. I know. Am I lucky or what?
36:34After a busy day racing around caravan sites. Oh, my gosh, it's like a stage. I don't know about a
36:39balcony. Good pals Bambi and Jojo are finally back at Jojo's new seaside path. Give me a time step,
36:46baby. Three months ago, the pair took a leap of faith and set up a caravan sales business together.
36:54Very good. With a break. Still got it, Bambi. But now work is done for the day. I have no idea what it is
37:03and what it does. Darling, you know me in domestic. They can finally let off some steam.
37:08It's running in my face mask because it lights up. She looks like a Dalek. Charming.
37:15Your bedroom's just there. Have a look. Thank you. Okay, Chris. That's perfect for me.
37:21Yeah, if you want to get... Oh, that's nice. Don't get too comfy, Bambi. Jojo's got her
37:28site set on a glass of wine and a game of pool. So, we'll get changed and we'll get down to the
37:33pool, shall we? Yeah, fantastic. I'm looking forward to it.
37:39Quitting their jobs and setting up their own caravan sales business was a risk.
37:43I did not think that we would hit the ground running. In fact, we didn't have the website
37:49until a couple of weeks ago. And people were like, where's the website? But we didn't think
37:53it was going to take off. You know, it's gone wild. It's gone better than we ever imagined.
37:58Bambi. Oh, look at you, smarty. It goes really well with your boots.
38:03Oh, yes. Those bargain buried on boots.
38:06Right, ladies, you better get it off or it'll be last orders.
38:11Anyone know where my keys are?
38:13Are these them?
38:13Yes, I was opening the door. These very small bunch of keys that you can't find.
38:19Yeah, I know, I know, I know.
38:21Oh, dear. You can tell these two have been mates for some time now.
38:25Bambi's seen me through from day one. She looked after me on the first night and took me out.
38:32She's genuinely my friend and that means a lot to me. And now we're business partners. It's great, I love it.
38:40Jojo's taking Bambi to her local bar where she likes to play pool.
38:45Hello, boys.
38:46Meet Bambi.
38:47Hello.
38:47Hello, Bambi. Nice to meet you, darling.
38:48And you.
38:49And while the last five years in Spain haven't been easy for Jojo, with a new home and a new business, she could be on me up.
38:57I love my life. I love my job. And it's not a job, really. I just love helping people. I love it.
39:03They say, don't you, if you find something you love, it's not really a job. It's a lifestyle. So I've got a good work-life balance. I love Spain. I love my life.
39:16It's really nice to see you settling in properly and, you know, loving this place as well, you know.
39:28I do. I really love it, Daniel. I love being by the sea. And, yeah, everyone's really friendly, so it's really nice.
39:34Good. That's the main thing, isn't it? Building you, building your relationships and building the business.
39:38Building the business. That's what it's all about.
39:40Yeah, yeah. I told you, Rodney, this time next year we'll be millionaires.
39:46The pair aren't quite millionaires yet, but since launching their business, they've sold one property a month and signed up two new locations.
39:55Congrats to you both.
40:04I'm going for the retro 70s Neil Diamond, the suede jacket, the fancy belt.
40:10Skinny pants, Cuban heels.
40:12In Benidorm, Tribute Act Ben's getting ready for his first performance as Neil Diamond.
40:17There might be no red carpet, but he's still laying out the rug.
40:22I got this imported from a specialist company in America, you know, so it literally looks realistic.
40:28That's the whole point. It's not like a fancy dress one.
40:30Now, you just need to go out there, Ben, and get it all off your chest.
40:37Because I've been performing for so many years, I've never got nervous as in, oh, I don't want to go on, I'm going to do something wrong.
40:43It's never that. It's more of a nervous pit in your stomach.
40:48Ben's used to being part of a boy band for his Take That performances, but tonight, he's flying solo for the first time.
40:56This one's a lot more serious, you know, you're being an absolute megastar. It's officially an icon in music.
41:02If the gig goes well, it will broaden his appeal and max out his earning potential on the costas.
41:08Got to sort out this 70s hairstyle, but yeah, I think I'm pretty much ready.
41:15Showtime.
41:17Tonight, singing live, Ben Alexander is...
41:23Neil Diamond.
41:29OK, good evening, everybody.
41:31Sweet Caroline.
41:34Yeah.
41:34Good times never seem so good.
41:44It's a strong start, and the audience clearly think it's so good, so good, so good.
41:49They never would.
41:52Thank you so much, everybody.
41:54Sweet Caroline.
42:02Great work, Ben.
42:04But did this crowd think he sparkled like a diamond?
42:07He's a near young lad, but when he come out with all his gear on, and he sang, and he sounded just like Neil Diamond.
42:15Absolutely fantastic.
42:18The best.
42:19Really good.
42:20Truth to life.
42:21Can't praise him enough.
42:22To be honest with you, he was absolutely fantastic.
42:26That all must sound sweet to Ben.
42:28Absolutely amazing show tonight.
42:30Really, really enjoyed it.
42:31The audience were great.
42:33They all sang along.
42:34They all clapped along.
42:35But I wouldn't really change a thing.
42:37Get your diary ready, Ben.
42:38Those diamond bookings will be flooding in.
42:41Next time on The Costas, shop manager Carol barters to bring in the books.
42:49Encourage people to part with their money.
42:51It's not live.
42:52Rocket Nigel's going acoustic.
42:55Try again.
42:56It should work.
42:57And we relive all the pigging drama with chunks.
43:01Oh, trailer's moving.
43:02Down.
43:03Down.
43:09Down.
43:13Down.
43:20Down.
43:22Down.
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