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00:00Pretend you're a donkey if you love the costas.
00:03Hey, aw, we love the beach.
00:06Oi, oi, better done, we love ya.
00:09Oi, oi, Kerry and Nicola, we really do.
00:12And with over 300 days of that glorious sunshine a year,
00:16it sure beats the cold and grey of the old UK.
00:19Ah, this is a lie.
00:21Living that dream can be blooming hard graft.
00:24Misting.
00:25My life, you're right.
00:26Stress level.
00:27Through the roof.
00:29But at the end of the working day...
00:31Go power.
00:32Go power.
00:33Come on, Sam.
00:34Forward.
00:34Booyah.
00:35The quality of life on the costas...
00:40Is priceless.
00:42Cheers.
00:43Peace and love.
00:44Cheers.
00:45That's why there will always be...
00:47I don't like weather, Sam.
00:48Gets in blazes where it shouldn't get.
00:49Quick, someone talk about the weather.
00:51The weather.
00:52Phew.
00:52It's friendly, it's exciting.
00:54It's just like a second home.
00:56Bargain, the big Brits in the sun.
00:58Yeah.
00:58Woo!
01:00Today on the costas.
01:04That's a great start.
01:05Uh-huh.
01:06Should have stayed at home.
01:07It's Andy's first day back at work, but can he stand the heat in the kitchen?
01:12See, there's a lot of doing.
01:13It's always sort of last minute.
01:15Susanna's flamenco is threatened when storm clouds gather.
01:18It's a lot of money.
01:20It takes a lot of time to make costumes, and I don't want them ruined.
01:22Come on.
01:24Come on.
01:24Up.
01:25And we trot back in time with donkey whisperer, come drag queen Colin, who's saving lives
01:30with a hair-raising show.
01:38Hi, Vicky.
01:39It's Susanna.
01:41Just checking that you're on your way soon.
01:44In her Spanish villa, 15 kilometres from the Costa Shores.
01:48All right, I'll see you at 12.
01:50Okay.
01:51All right, see you then.
01:5257-year-old performer Susanna is kick-starting preparations for a dance extravaganza.
01:59This one is probably my favourite one, it being purple.
02:04They're very heavy, these flamenco costumes.
02:07This one is.
02:09Another beauty, and again, extremely, extremely heavy.
02:14With a crammed closet and over 40 years of showbiz experience under her belt, Susanna
02:20knows every detail needs to be on point.
02:24Today's a very busy day.
02:26I've got Vicky coming to see me.
02:28We've got to sort out a costume list.
02:30We've got to whiz up to wardrobe, pull some costumes out.
02:34My very first pair of ballet shoes.
02:37And I was so tiny, they've not even been worn on the bottoms.
02:41I'm hoping that we can find some Christmas-type outfits, obviously colours, gold, red, anything
02:50Christmassy.
02:51Susanna's putting on a festive flamenco fiesta to thank the community, which helped her through
02:56hard times.
02:58And in this picture here, you can see when John and I first met back in 1986.
03:06This is us in our cabin.
03:07She met her guitarist husband, John, while working on a cruise ship.
03:13We basically got together quite quickly.
03:17And that's how we met.
03:19And so we spent six months on board ship, falling in love.
03:24Quite literally, the love boat.
03:26The cruising couple then settled on Spanish dry land in 1989.
03:30He played Spanish guitar.
03:33I'd done all types of dancing.
03:36So we started building a flamenco show together.
03:41After 20 years in Spain, Susanna's husband fell ill.
03:48Unfortunately, John was diagnosed with cancer.
03:52It was actually the year that I turned 50.
03:55And then there was various chemotherapy sessions, all sorts of things.
04:01Lots of complications, one way and another.
04:04And unfortunately, he passed away in March of 2019.
04:08The local community rallied round.
04:11People kept checks on me.
04:13And I knew I could go and see anybody I wanted to at any time.
04:16But on the flip side of that, they left me alone if I needed time to grieve on my own.
04:22Now, Susanna teaches dance to nearby residents.
04:25Keep really pulling out.
04:27So if it's a hop, really stretch it.
04:29If it's that layout, really pull it out.
04:32In three weeks, she's putting on a show to raise funds for local projects with help from wardrobe assistant Vicky.
04:40My friendship with Susanna is very important to me, yeah.
04:43I'll start filling up now.
04:46She's a rock for people.
04:48She's somebody you can go and talk to.
04:50And she's got that persona where you're drawn into her, you know, you're drawn into her world.
04:56And she's just lovely.
04:58OK, so we did use the charity when John was ill.
05:03We borrowed a wheelchair, for instance.
05:07I know that it's really important that this charity carries on.
05:12We've got about six dances.
05:15We've got one of the ladies' ones, yeah.
05:19And I think that one we need a top hat and tailcoats, yeah.
05:25So if we get, I think if we get a couple of different ones and see what they fit like.
05:31Susanna, Vicky and some other expats have been practising for weeks.
05:35And today, it's the all-important dress rehearsal.
05:38So we've got the flamenco number here.
05:40If we do the one that we danced to before, flamenco de fuego, I like that one.
05:45Yeah.
05:46If today's dress rehearsal flops, Susanna's chance to thank the community with a razzle-dazzle show disappears.
05:53We've got the five dances that we need costumes for.
05:57And I want to get a couple for each dance so we've got our choices.
06:01OK?
06:01Yeah.
06:01Right, let's make a move, please.
06:04Perfecto.
06:04All right.
06:11Just want to put them on the lead.
06:13High in the hills of Fragiliana near Malaga, you'll find restaurant and bar owner Andy, his girlfriend, Joanna, and their
06:20two dogs.
06:22And he's just come to us.
06:24He was a goat dog.
06:25He's come to enjoy his retirement.
06:28Living in not a bad spot, to be honest.
06:30Not a bad spot?
06:31Understatement of the year.
06:32I think it's been voted the most beautiful place in southern Spain to have a picnic.
06:36I've never seen before a view like that, what we have here, especially when the sun sets.
06:43Oh, wow, I can imagine.
06:44It's stunning.
06:45Andy owns a rock-themed bar and restaurant that pays tribute to his past life as a tour chef.
06:51I worked on the road, just cooking for bands all over the world.
06:55The biggest bands I worked with was ACDC, a bit of U2, a little bit of Bruce Springsteen.
06:59And I was never intending on buying a restaurant.
07:02I was in Germany.
07:02I was working on with a running key.
07:04And my friend who had it at the time phoned up and said, oh, I can't, oh, I've had enough.
07:08Will you buy it?
07:09And I said, no.
07:10But eventually I did.
07:11That was back in 2006.
07:14I was here on holiday, then flew back into Glasgow, was heading home, and I just don't want to be
07:22here.
07:23So I think the next day we put the house on the market, sold it, and packed the Volvo, drove
07:28down.
07:29Yeah, and I never looked back since, really.
07:33I think we will have a drink later then altogether.
07:36But in the past year, Andy's contracted pneumonia and been diagnosed with pre-diabetes liver and kidney damage.
07:44It totally wiped me out.
07:45I was exhausted.
07:46Basically, my body had poisoned itself and it damaged my kidneys and liver.
07:51It's been very difficult.
07:52It's been a tough, yeah, a mega tough year because running a business is not easy.
07:55You're not by a million miles.
07:57And just because you get ill, the bills don't stop coming in.
08:01As well as the restaurant and bar, Andy has invested in a bakery.
08:04But illness has kept him away from the business for a month.
08:08Today is his first day back.
08:11So the bakery closes at half three.
08:13So we're going to head down there, just make sure, see how the day's been.
08:16See if it's been a busy one or a quiet one.
08:18We're going to move across to the restaurant to get that ready for opening.
08:21During his unplanned absence, partner Joanna took up the slack.
08:25I always try to help there where I can.
08:27I learned a lot.
08:29Today, the bar's aiming to turn over 40 covers.
08:32Adding to the pressure, Joanna's family are coming all the way from Germany for dinner.
08:37Oof, no pressure, Andy.
08:39See if I made some dineros.
08:42We've been together for, that's on the spot, three years.
08:46Three and a bit years.
08:47Yeah.
08:48She came for a beer in my bar and that's how we met.
08:52Yeah.
08:53Used the old Scottish charm.
08:56Reeled it in.
08:57And she's been stuck here ever since.
09:00Okay, so we're just going to nip across to the bakery, which is part of the restaurant.
09:04It's on the other side of the road.
09:06I think it's been open five, six months, something like that.
09:09It was a spur of the moment thing.
09:10I was sitting in the restaurant and it came up for rent.
09:12I went, yeah, okay.
09:15Let's just give herself more work to do.
09:18The bakery specialises in a mix of sweet and savoury treats from Britain and Spain.
09:23And by the look of those bickies, business is on track.
09:26How's it been?
09:28Not bad.
09:28We've got some lovely lemon-plied types now.
09:32Bakery on track, but how's the restaurant's kitchen been shaping up in its absence?
09:38Yeah, so this is a little engine room down here.
09:41This is my son, Kyle.
09:43They're getting the bread organised, which is finishing.
09:45They're going to be folding out soon, getting ready for the evening.
09:48Yeah.
09:49So there's a lot of doing.
09:50It's always sort of last minute.
09:51We've got to make sure the place is ready.
09:54Because if you're not ready and people come in, you're chasing your tail and then it's just not nice.
09:58First day back after illness and with 12 tables booked, the last thing Andy needs is a technological test.
10:05Yeah, these are new high nails.
10:06These are what Joanna's going to learn today.
10:08I don't know how to turn it on.
10:10Like learning a whole new ordering system.
10:16It's called technology and I don't like it.
10:20It's too technical.
10:21I like piano and paper.
10:22I'm old school.
10:24It's smart tech.
10:25What could possibly go wrong?
10:29That's a great start.
10:31Uh-huh.
10:31First breakage of the day.
10:33I hope that's not a bad omen.
10:36Oh, I should have stayed at home.
10:43Coming up.
10:44Let's go and find the gold hot pants, Jan.
10:46Here we go.
10:48I'm getting wet.
10:49Susanna's colleagues horse around, but she's up against the weather and the clock.
10:53Have we got it the right way?
10:55Carmen Miranda all over again.
10:59Whoa, we've arrived in Benidorm.
11:01Should have brought the two donkeys.
11:04Give us a hand to bring our stuff in.
11:06And it's showtime for Colin, who's putting on a hair-raising performance.
11:19Many of us Brits dream of a life on the costas.
11:22Benidorm's the best place on the planet.
11:24I think it is.
11:25But when that dream becomes a reality, most of us have to make hay whilst the sun shines.
11:30To me?
11:31To you?
11:31To me?
11:32No, to you.
11:35Breaking things down in Benidorm.
11:36It can feel like a dirty job, especially when other folks are on their holidays.
11:41Love you.
11:42But remember the old saying, where there's muck, there's brass.
11:46Come on here and bring your 40 kilo of poo.
11:48Quite literally in Murthier.
11:50There are no flies on our favourite drag queen-cum animal whisperer Colin, Coco Brown.
11:57Hi, boys.
11:59Two little donkeys.
12:01I've got Donkey 1 and Donkey 2.
12:02I've never even given them names.
12:03Just Donkey 1 and Donkey 2.
12:04And this nameless pair were part of one of Colin's biggest adventures.
12:09Quiet at the back, Colin's history class is in session.
12:12Donkey 1 and Donkey 2 are off to Cambridge, not the university, because they're donkeys.
12:16They have gone on a big, massive farm.
12:18We've got a big, massive barn to be in when it's bad weather.
12:21They've got trees, shelter, everything.
12:22It looks absolutely amazing.
12:23Well, you can't look that gift horse, or rather donkey, in the mouth.
12:27But here's the kicker.
12:28So these two come in a while ago, but we've just been kind of waiting to get the funds together
12:31for it to get them sent to the UK.
12:32It's like £1,500, more or less, to send one of these donkeys to the UK.
12:38Wiley Collins actually found UK homes for four animals.
12:41But that comes with a hefty price tag.
12:44We've got to raise £6,000 to send these two donkeys and the two horses in the back.
12:50Six grand.
12:51But Colin's got a plan.
12:54People just think about Benadon being about the stags, the hen doos, the drinking and stuff.
12:58But there's such a really good community spirit, and for charities as well,
13:02there's always constant people giving up their time.
13:04And he's aiming to tap into that spirit by organising a gala to showcase Benadon's finest.
13:11When they first came as well, these donkeys, we could never get near them.
13:13They were scared, they'd think of us that they'd been beaten and stuff.
13:17But they've come around now, they're actually quite annoying sometimes, they get in the way.
13:20But they're sweet, the two of them, aren't they?
13:25Fingers crossed his audience digs deep to help rehome the needy nags.
13:30The majority of our equines come from either dog pounds who have not got facilities to keep equines,
13:36they come from there, or they come from abandoning the street.
13:38The police contact us if they go and collect them.
13:41Or they also come from people who can't afford to keep them any longer.
13:45Colin and partner Sebastian's licence lets them house just nine equines,
13:49which means there's extra pressure to trot this four on and make room for more rescues.
13:56Get to Benidorm and hopefully raise some pennies to get these guys to their forever home.
14:00Out, my boys. Hopefully, fingers crossed.
14:02When I come back, hopefully I'll have some money for you.
14:04Time to hoof it down to Benidorm and razzle-dazzle for your rescues.
14:12I've got a big vinyl collection.
14:14This is a bit messy because someone's been looking through it.
14:17In total, probably around about 5,000 vinyls.
14:20I've got a lot in the house, I've got a lot down here.
14:22After four weeks of illness and forced absence,
14:25Andy's back in charge at his rock-themed restaurant.
14:28The bar is basically built on music.
14:30There's a lot of stuff upstairs.
14:32As an ex-chef to world-famous bands, Andy has high standards
14:36and he's checking they're being maintained.
14:39So, Javi's just on. He's just doing the chips.
14:42All the chips are homemade, as they should be.
14:45Kyle's going to be...
14:46Kyle, you on the sourdough, yeah?
14:48Yeah, I don't know.
14:49When I bought it, it was completely different.
14:51And it was all linen and glasses and tablecloths and stuff.
14:54I was like, no, that's not me.
14:57But, yeah, it's the sourdough, yeah.
14:59So, I mean, probably at the minute we're probably doing about 40.
15:03During the summer, it could be 50, 60, 70.
15:06You can make a lot of dough selling that much.
15:09There's a busy night ahead,
15:11so Andy's relying on his team to get him and the business through it.
15:15I was ill a lot, and I didn't know why.
15:18And then I got pneumonia.
15:19But, yeah, so the guys have really stepped in,
15:22cos I just couldn't... All I do is sleep.
15:24For now, I'm starting to get tired cos I can't eat.
15:26Cos I'm having problems with my stomach due to the medication.
15:31So, yeah, I've been completely wiped out.
15:33So, yeah, they've really stepped up.
15:34They've all stepped in.
15:35They've never complained.
15:37Some weeks I'm a bit a little late with the wages,
15:39cos I just can't get there or I can't get out of bed.
15:42And, yeah, yeah, so I'm very proud of them.
15:46So, Chris is just going to move these barrels.
15:47It's delivery day.
15:49So, he'll move the barrels over.
15:50Espy's going to move some of this stock upstairs.
15:53We're always trying to be open early.
15:55More dinero's the better, so let's get some people in.
15:57Adding to any angst,
15:59tonight, Andy's partner, Johanna,
16:01is trialling a new electronic ordering system.
16:04It wasn't Andy's idea.
16:06I was under a lot of pressure from certain people
16:08to make it a bit more...
16:11Ah, what's the word?
16:12Efficient.
16:13Efficient, yes, I suppose.
16:15So, we put this new system in, it's all touchscreen, you know.
16:18It's all put on a hard drive, which is rather annoying.
16:21I like to chop carrots.
16:23I don't like to be involved in computer programming.
16:25I like to chop carrots.
16:27Technophobe Andy might not be on board with the new system.
16:31The guys are nearly ready upstairs.
16:33But Johanna's ready to take the risk.
16:35Question is, can Andy trust the tech?
16:38We've got our table booked in bang on six o'clock,
16:40so we'll have to be ready for that.
16:45Oh!
16:49Osbritt loves some fun in the sun,
16:51and a trip to the costas isn't complete
16:53without enjoying the entertainment on offer.
16:55Isn't that right?
16:57There's something for everyone.
16:58It's brilliant.
16:59Yeah, the entertainment's great.
17:00The entertainers, comedians, singers,
17:04they're all very, very good.
17:06That's Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday covered,
17:08but what about the rest of the week?
17:09There's something to do every night.
17:11Yeah.
17:12And there's whatever you want to see,
17:14it's seeing him turn it on.
17:16Like what, Sharon?
17:17We saw a magician in the hotel, didn't we?
17:21Now that's magic!
17:33OK.
17:34All right.
17:35In the hill town of Zalo,
17:37professional dancer Susanna and wardrobe assistant Vicky
17:40are on a costume collection mission.
17:43OK.
17:44So I've messaged Jan.
17:45She'll be waiting for us up at wardrobe.
17:48OK.
17:49Yeah.
17:50And then we'll see what we can do.
17:52We've got rehearsal tonight, yeah?
17:54Yeah.
17:54Is everybody coming?
17:55Yeah, should be.
17:57Susanna's planned a crucial dress rehearsal
17:59for her upcoming dance performance.
18:01I want to see if up at wardrobe
18:03whether we've got some Santa hats.
18:05We did have a load,
18:06but I'm not sure whether they were kept.
18:10But the weather is trying to flatten their fandangum.
18:14I don't know what state the wardrobe's going to be in
18:16with all this rain.
18:17I hope it's not wet.
18:19I believe the weather today.
18:23So I hope it stops raining before later on.
18:27Susanna's show is three weeks away
18:28and aims to raise money to help the community
18:31that supported her when husband John passed away.
18:34They were my backup and my support,
18:37as well as, obviously, in the village.
18:39Everybody knows me really well,
18:41so they were amazing too.
18:43But rained ruined costumes
18:44could mean today's rehearsals a damp squib.
18:48Have you got wellies on?
18:50Hidden away in the Costa Hills,
18:52this costume store belongs to the theatre
18:54Susanna's rehearsal will be in.
18:56Hi, Jan.
18:57Hi, Susanna.
18:59Hi, Jan.
18:59Costume Queen Jan manages men's hundreds of outfits.
19:03Susanna needs her help to find over 20 costumes
19:05quick smart,
19:06because the rehearsal is just an hour away.
19:09I'd like a couple of sets of tailcoats
19:12and top hats for the ladies.
19:14OK.
19:14Depending on how they fit.
19:15Yeah.
19:16I've got some of the girls are dancing to a Christmas song,
19:19so reds...
19:21We've got some red dresses with white fur on.
19:23Perfect.
19:24And maybe even, you know, the little top hats?
19:26Yes.
19:26That would work.
19:27Or even big top hats.
19:29Yeah, that would work either way.
19:30Yeah, OK.
19:31Jan's on it like a bonnet.
19:33A glittery bonnet.
19:34Obviously, we need to do what we're doing here
19:37as quickly as possible,
19:38get back down to the theatre,
19:39because I've got everybody arriving for rehearsals
19:42and I don't want them standing on the doorstep waiting for me,
19:45particularly if it's raining.
19:47But not everyone shares Susanna's sense of urgency.
19:51Have I got it the right way?
19:53Karma Miranda all over again.
19:57The giraffes try and eat the fruit.
20:00Stop hossing around, ladies.
20:01There's furry Christmas dresses to find.
20:04It's absolutely imperative to have a dress rehearsal
20:07because sometimes it can completely change the way you dance
20:12if something's not fitting the same as what you've been practising in.
20:15After over two decades in Spain, Susanna's virtually a local.
20:20Because we live in a Spanish village
20:21and because my husband and I are entertainers,
20:25it means that we were always involved with a very Spanish lifestyle.
20:30And my son was born here,
20:32so, yeah, it is a very Spanish lifestyle that I live.
20:35So, getting this performance right matters.
20:38Yeah, they're the ones.
20:39Yeah, we had two of those online.
20:41It's my unit.
20:42Yeah, I know I've got two girls the same,
20:44so I can't have two different costumes.
20:47All right, let's go and find the gold hot pants, Jan.
20:49Yes, hot footage to the hot pants.
20:52Let's have a look.
20:52Oh, there's some silver ones here, actually.
20:56The gold ones in there.
20:57The gold ones, we haven't really seen for a while.
21:00The silver ones might work, actually, yeah.
21:03Here we go.
21:03Hot pants secured, but the rain is falling outside and in.
21:08I'm getting wet.
21:09A lot of the costumes have got sequins, feathers,
21:12and they are not ideally to get wet.
21:16So, in that case, obviously, if it's raining hard,
21:19then I don't want them to go outside and get ruined
21:22because we don't want to have to replace anything.
21:25With time ticking, that's enough perusing.
21:27Susanna needs to prioritise.
21:29OK, we need to get some top hats for today.
21:32OK, shall we use these ones?
21:34Yeah.
21:35Because we could take these today.
21:37Practice with them.
21:38And practice.
21:38These are plastic ones.
21:39I'll take those for today.
21:40Yeah.
21:41I think if we can find a plastic bag,
21:43I can at least take the hats today,
21:44and then they get a chance to practice with them.
21:46Practice with them, yes.
21:47Yeah.
21:47Are you OK with these colours?
21:48I'll take those.
21:49Yeah.
21:49Yeah, OK.
21:50But can Susanna take the plunge
21:52and risk damaging the costumes?
21:56No, I think it's too wet.
21:58It's just not worth risking the costumes.
22:01It's a lot of money.
22:03It takes a lot of time to make costumes,
22:04and I don't want them ruined.
22:06OK, ladies, so if we take just the hats in plastic
22:10so they don't get wet,
22:11and I'll come back another day for the costumes.
22:13A dress rehearsal with no dresses
22:15means Susanna's show hangs in the balance.
22:18All right.
22:25Woo-hoo!
22:26We've arrived in Benidorm.
22:28Let's go.
22:29Should have brought the two donkeys.
22:32Give us a hand to bring us stuff in.
22:35Entertainer Colin, partner Sebastian and son Hugo don't have long to set up for the last-minute lip-syncing gala.
22:43Oh, my God.
22:45Raising enough cash to ship four equines to forever homes in England will be a slog.
22:52Where's the donkey?
22:53OK.
22:53Especially in this heat.
22:55I feel like I swam here.
22:56Look at me all sweating.
22:58I do hope his make-up's waterproof.
23:01Anything can go wrong, or no-one can turn up.
23:03And we've got an empty stage and no people sitting there.
23:06Oh, my God.
23:06The blistering Spanish son could also play havoc with Colin's costume.
23:11It was just on the walk, like, 30 metres.
23:13They were soaked right through already.
23:14I've never even got my false boobies on yet, or tights, or anything.
23:17It's going to be absolutely roasting hot.
23:20Colin's convinced some of Benidorm's biggest names to perform for free.
23:25I think that would be plenty, no?
23:26It definitely is a lot of money to raise in one night.
23:30We're basically relying on pure donations.
23:31But I will make people aware that, obviously, they've not bought a ticket to come in.
23:34So when we do that, we'll pass around the collection buckets.
23:37Now, fingers crossed, Colin.
23:38Now, stop messing around.
23:40You need to get changed, because...
23:41The one-downy.
23:42Come on, now!
23:44It's showtime!
23:45And a decent turnout.
23:46Good evening, good evening!
23:50How is everyone?
23:51Good evening, Real Park!
23:54The best-dressed horse whisperer on the costas is live, and its outfit's spectacular.
23:59We've got merchandise from the farm as well, Purcell, so come and see you.
24:03Please welcome to stage our Tony Vincent.
24:05Give a huge round of applause!
24:18Benidorm, and your blush has done you proud, with a great turnout.
24:21Let's just hope those donation buckets are hot to trot.
24:25Now, we've done a little collect, a little count-up.
24:28What we've got so far is 600 euros!
24:33Hats and wigs.
24:34Off to you, Coco.
24:35It's a good start.
24:37Thank you very, very, very much for you.
24:38Thank you so, so much.
24:42But you'll need ten times that to get your precious cargo to the UK.
24:46Still a little bit stressed, because we've still got half the shows to come on, and I've
24:49still got to try and sell more raffles, and try and make my money, basically, and try and
24:54squeeze my money out of them.
24:55I need to run!
24:56Trot to it, Colin.
24:58Those donkeys are relying on you.
25:04Coming up.
25:05Eight stamps and claps forward.
25:09Susanna's plans for a show-stopping performance hang in the balance.
25:14Sorry.
25:15Wubbled, wobbled.
25:16You wobbled, didn't you?
25:18You want a reservation, guys?
25:19Yeah.
25:20And it's meal or no meal, as technical glitches threaten Andy's restaurant.
25:24It went out.
25:26It's black.
25:36You want a reservation, guys?
25:37We have.
25:38Yeah?
25:38I'm at Christy, are we?
25:39Things are hotting up in Andy's restaurant.
25:42Guys, are you cute?
25:43Yes.
25:44After a severe case of pneumonia, this is Andy's first evening back at the cold face, and
25:49things have moved on.
25:50You're going to sort out and drink some of that table, Chris?
25:53So we've got a touchscreen order system.
25:55It's still quite new.
25:58A-space is a master, right?
25:59I'm not.
26:00Timo's much more about it than I do, but she's going to teach Johanna how to use it, just
26:03in case we need to have some cover.
26:06In his absence, the other staff have been taking up the slack, including standby waitress
26:11and partner, Johanna.
26:13Johanna's had to deal with it.
26:14She'll have to run the business if the wages need done, and the bank invoices need dropped
26:18off.
26:19There's another one million and one things to do that you don't even know about.
26:23Yeah, so I'm very proud of them.
26:25Yeah, they've kept the place going.
26:27The food is like based in categories.
26:30Oh.
26:31Well, that's handy then.
26:32It is.
26:32Yeah.
26:33Your table is number four.
26:35Good.
26:35And the blue ones are all the drinks.
26:37You've got specials, if you have any specials.
26:39Yeah.
26:40So, yeah.
26:40I'm just giving it a try, huh?
26:42Yeah, all yours.
26:44Good luck to me.
26:47Old school Andy won't touch it, so all this rests with Johanna.
26:52Hello.
26:55And just to add to the pressure, table four are very familiar faces.
26:59It's my family and my two best friends from Germany.
27:03Yeah, they're here for a visit, and for my friends, it's the first time with Frigayana.
27:09So, this is very exciting.
27:11Also, the first time in Bocatio, so I better try my best now, yeah.
27:17It went out.
27:18It's black.
27:19Not an ideal start.
27:21Okie dokie.
27:22So, we have two times the cauliflower wings.
27:24And for you ladies.
27:28I'm going to get the homemade nachos, and it's lentil and bean chibi.
27:32Oh, mint.
27:33I'm not that fast.
27:34The lentil nachos, no?
27:36Okay.
27:36The lentil nachos.
27:38Okie dokie.
27:39Perfect.
27:41Dankeschön.
27:43Oh, I survived it, Espy.
27:47Press that person, and then we'll go straight to the kitchen.
27:49Okay.
27:50The proof is in the pudding, or the main course.
28:17Well, you can't teach an old chef new tricks.
28:21Salud.
28:22Salud.
28:23And it looks like everyone got their order.
28:26That looks good.
28:28Yeah.
28:30With everything running smoothly, Andy can clock off early.
28:33Not before one last check.
28:36All right, guys.
28:37Everything on control?
28:39Cool.
28:40Lovely job.
28:41Right, I'm going to head off.
28:42I'm going to snuggle on the sofa with the puppies.
28:44Then, right, guys, goodnight.
28:46I'll speak to you later on.
28:47Yep.
28:47Well done.
28:48Yeah, I enjoyed it.
28:49It was really interesting.
28:50Yeah, there's been a lot of people there, and it's been a nice, busy little evening.
28:52You know, happy with the place is looking.
28:54I was always a bit nervous, but, no, yeah.
28:58It means I can be at home and get better, and not worry too much.
29:04Oh, he's here now.
29:05Doug has spotted the lorry.
29:07Here he comes.
29:08It's the morning after the night before in Murcia.
29:11Oh, he's happy to see me.
29:12Yeah.
29:13Ha, ha, ha, ha.
29:15Entertainer and animal handler Colin put on an evening to remember in Benidorm.
29:19Thank you very much.
29:20Have a few days, I'm going to say thank you so, so much.
29:24And he's now chomping at the bit, ready to re-home four of his rescues.
29:28Wow!
29:30If he can get them on board with his plan.
29:32Donkeys might be a bit stubborn to go on, because sometimes they don't even want to go into their stable,
29:36so we'll see how they are.
29:37We've got Obelix first.
29:38Obelix, you coming?
29:40I think he's saying bye-bye.
29:42Oh!
29:47Last night's show brought in most of the six grand required to send four animals to the UK.
29:53We managed to raise, in the end, €4,100, which is amazing.
29:57It's quite a big chunk of what we needed to raise.
29:59The rest he scraped together by fundraising on social media.
30:03Good boy!
30:06So all four GGs can say goodbye, sunshine, hello, British rain.
30:11It is sad, obviously, seeing them all going, but I know that they're all going into better lives, better, forever
30:16homes as well, so that makes it all worthwhile.
30:19Come on! Up! Up!
30:22Good boy, up!
30:23Good boy!
30:23Up! Up!
30:26I'll get a final video of them arriving at their new home, so I'm looking forward to seeing that.
30:31Vamos! Arriba! Arriba! Arriba! Arriba! Arriba!
30:35Vamos! Vamos!
30:37Up, up, up, up!
30:37Venga!
30:38Vamos!
30:39Vamos!
30:40It's always nice to see them running about in the grass and running about in the countryside.
30:45It kind of makes it all worthwhile.
30:46Once on board, driver John can start the 1,300-mile journey to the UK, stopping off in France en
30:53route.
30:54Oh, my God, I'm sweating!
30:57Well done!
31:01Thank you very, very much.
31:03Safe journey, and message me when you get to France to make sure you got there all right.
31:08See you again!
31:10See you again!
31:10Bye, Obelix! Bye, Poppy!
31:13Bye, Bora 1! Bye, Bora 2!
31:15Donkey 1, Donkey 2!
31:17Adios, donkey!
31:19But no sooner has Colin said goodbye, there's urgent word of a stallion in desperate need
31:27of help.
31:28We've had someone contact us to ask if we can help out with a horse.
31:32Now, he's been abandoned, but in a sense, he's not been abandoned in the street.
31:35He's actually been abandoned by its owner.
31:36So he's been left at a stables.
31:39Which means a mercy mission back to Benidorm.
31:43He's been abandoned at the stables, and then the owner of the stables feels that it's not
31:46his responsibility either to get the horse into it.
31:48Option for him is just basically to have the horse put to sleep, because it's not his horse.
31:51Which is the last thing Colin wants to happen.
31:54All secure.
31:55Let's get going.
31:56And don't spare the horses.
32:10He's the bully, really.
32:12We thought he was...
32:13It's a family show, Nick.
32:14No, no, no.
32:14It's a family show.
32:15He's a lovely, lovely cat.
32:20This is Nermal.
32:21This is the kid's cat.
32:22The kid's named him.
32:23He could have gone to my mum's in the UK.
32:26No, that wasn't an option.
32:27The kids were like, we're not going about him.
32:29It cost me a few quid getting in here.
32:35He's a good cat, but he's very boisterous, I think.
32:38He's very boisterous.
32:39He wants to be the boss.
32:39Yeah.
32:40Loves human food, loves toast.
32:42Marmite.
32:42Marmite and toast.
32:43We get a call from Bill each morning, the cat's eating my toast, mum.
32:47I know.
32:54Loves the pool.
32:55Chases the lizards.
32:56Yeah.
32:57Loves it, yeah.
32:57We didn't think he'd sit in so well.
32:59Eats the kid's toast, and then drink the pool, and then have a fight with next door's cat.
33:06Day in the life of Nermal.
33:15You grab one first.
33:16It's still raining in Alkalali, and Susanna and Vicky have arrived at the theatre, ready for a dress rehearsal without
33:24any dresses.
33:24OK.
33:25OK.
33:26OK.
33:27All right.
33:29The rain would have ruined the costumes.
33:31You OK?
33:31Is there anything else in my car?
33:33No.
33:33But this is Susanna's job.
33:35But this is Susanna's chance to make sure her dancers remember their routines, so the show must go on.
33:39I'm sure they will try and out-beat last year's figure.
33:43The theatre for today's rehearsal became Susanna's second home after her husband, John, passed away six years ago.
33:52The theatre kept me going, though, because when I was teaching, at least I could focus on something else.
33:59So it did help me in a lot of ways, but it was quite traumatic at the same time.
34:04Every year that we do a pantomime, we have a poster produced, and then after we've finished, we always put
34:11them up on the wall just to show everybody how many different pantos we've done.
34:16And last year we did Snow White.
34:19For some unknown reason, I ended up playing Snow White.
34:22No starring role for Susanna this time.
34:25We can run through the dances as is.
34:30I'd like to do the two that we already know.
34:32If that's OK with everybody.
34:35Instead, she's choreographing a group of amateur expat dancers.
34:39First routine, the fiery flamenco.
34:42Oh, get off, OK.
34:44So let's run through the first number without music to start off with.
34:48OK, so we're taking eight stamps and claps forward.
34:54And to the side.
34:57Good.
34:59The flamenco came into my life once I moved to Spain.
35:02Because my husband played Spanish guitar, the Spaniards absolutely adored him.
35:08So if we ever went into a restaurant and there was a group of Spaniards with a guitar, it just
35:13got handed straight to him and he would join in with the festivities and we were part of the group.
35:18So can Susanna pass that passion for Spanish culture on to her ladies?
35:23One, two, three, keep going.
35:26I love doing performance.
35:28It's a good exercise and it's good for the mind because the flamenco, you have to really think about what
35:35you're doing.
35:36Four, last time, five.
35:38From the top and one.
35:40She's really good at explaining it all and she shows you, obviously, because she's done it forever.
35:46One, two, three, stamp right, heels.
35:50I love being on stage.
35:52I've always done it from a very small child.
35:56So it's something that is really in my blood.
35:58When I'm on stage, it's everything that I ever wanted to do and that's when I'm at my happiest.
36:05One and two and three and four.
36:08Five and six and seven and eight.
36:10She loves perfection, does Susanna, so our steps have got to be bang on.
36:14And, yeah, she's very strict in a nice way.
36:19Three to the front to finish.
36:22Vicky's more praying mantis than flamenco aficionado.
36:26Sorry.
36:27Wobbled, wobbled.
36:28You wobbled, did you?
36:29Good.
36:30Well done, ladies.
36:31Well done.
36:32Flamenco almost finessed, Susanna's next dance ups the ante.
36:36And although we haven't got any costumes to be practising today,
36:40I did think it might be useful if we tried with top hats.
36:45Now, with props to Basta, a tough routine just got even tougher.
36:49This should be fun.
36:54Coming up.
36:55Oh, you're so sweet.
36:57You can tell already.
36:58Colin's latest rescue could be his toughest test.
37:01We're just a little bit nervous because he's been here for quite some time
37:05and we're not going to show how he's going to go in the trailer.
37:07Lost the rat.
37:08And hat showbiz at Susanna's rehearsal.
37:11Have you squashed it as well?
37:24Let's go see the horse.
37:26After a 90-minute bolt to Benidorm, horse rescuer Collins,
37:30not sure how poorly the abandoned horse named Nagy is.
37:34Hello, mister.
37:36They sent a few videos of being ridden, but that was quite a few years ago,
37:39so I don't know what condition he's going to be in.
37:41And vets are not cheap.
37:43I've got an etch something for you.
37:45Do you want an etch that for yourself?
37:46Tell me something.
37:48Me, the horse whisperer.
37:49I think he's just basically shown me the ways, man, that he wants me to etch something.
37:53It is hard because you could rack up thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds worth of debt.
37:58Mainly, you've got to basically just think about the horse and what the horse's need is,
38:02not about money, really.
38:03Nagy's stables have done all they can afford.
38:05He's had the veterinarian for it to do the injections to try and help him out
38:09because seven days ago he couldn't even eat.
38:12Having a wee bit of a breathing problem, right?
38:13Yeah, need to get that unblocked.
38:15The thing is, if I don't take the horse, the stable owner's got no other option for him.
38:19Basically, there's not really going to be many people that would come in and take a horse
38:22that's for now not rideable, needs operations done.
38:26The saddest thing is the cheapest option would be just to have him put to sleep.
38:31Nagy is only 18.
38:32With the right care, he could have another ten years with a new owner.
38:36You're a good boy, aren't you?
38:37You're not bothered about nothing.
38:39Like, honestly, I see in the UK as well, like, some people would pay thousands and thousands
38:43and thousands for a horse like this.
38:44But he'll need expensive medical attention first.
38:49Ah, you're so sweet. You can tell already.
38:51I feel another fundraiser coming on.
38:53Look what I brought just in case.
38:55I had called her in lead drop.
38:56I think Sebastian knows when I'm taking the trailer somewhere,
38:58he knows I'm coming up with something.
39:00Uh-uh.
39:01Disney fit.
39:03We're just a little bit nervous because he's been here for quite some time.
39:06We're not going to show how he's going to go in the trailer, so we shall see.
39:10So the guy at the stables here is really, really fortunate
39:12that I've actually got a space at the rescue centre for him to take this horse on.
39:16Which means brighter days beckon for this beautiful boy.
39:20Good boy.
39:21Whoa, whoa.
39:22He's spent quite a few years here, so we're just giving him his time, his space.
39:28Good boy.
39:29Whoa, whoa.
39:30Good boy.
39:33Here we go.
39:34It's all a bit surely, all the way back to Morseau.
39:36You guys home, Pam, here we come.
39:40And before you can say nay...
39:44..Naggy's safe and sound.
39:45What, the long face, mate?
39:53Would you like to take the stage?
39:55Let's see how we get on.
39:57It's time for Susanna's dance troupe to attempt cabaret perfection
40:00with one of their toughest dances to date.
40:03Three, four, face the front.
40:05Forward, forward, back, back, forward.
40:08Susanna is a really good dance teacher.
40:10She puts up with us when we're quite rubbish.
40:12We're not always very good, and we're not always in time, but we enjoy it.
40:17Four, with the hats, we go.
40:19Channel that razzle-dazzle, Andrea.
40:21Two, two, three.
40:23Three, two, three.
40:25Four, two, turn to the side.
40:28One, two, three.
40:30Both of you on four.
40:32This sparkling sequence is their most challenging,
40:35so time to focus and get in step, ladies.
40:42It's good when somebody does drop a hat in rehearsal.
40:45That's what rehearsals are for, so that you get a chance to try things out
40:49and to carry on, see what happens, you know,
40:52because it can happen in a live performance, and often does.
40:56That's off to you, Susanna, ever the professional.
40:59Have you squashed it as well?
41:01I just left it there and carried on, as I've been taught to do by Susanna.
41:04It's one of those things, that's why you have to rehearse with it,
41:07because that could happen.
41:09Practice makes perfect, but are there any signs of stage fright?
41:13Buzzing.
41:14Getting into the swing to do the Christmas concert.
41:18I think we need to just tweak a few things, but I think it's going to be good.
41:23Really pleased with everybody today.
41:24Everybody worked really hard in rehearsal.
41:26Everything's coming along just at the right time.
41:29We've still got a few things to tighten up and get more professional,
41:32but as it stands, I'm really happy with everybody.
41:35It's been a really good day, enjoyed it.
41:37Good company, good friends.
41:39What more could you ask for?
41:40Cheers.
41:41When I see it all come together, that is when it really hits home,
41:46how much I love it so much.
41:48And when everybody works so hard for me,
41:50because they want me to be proud of them,
41:52that's the icing on the cake, really.
41:55Cheers, ladies.
41:56Cheers.
41:56Thank you very much for all your hard work.
41:58We're going to be fabulous.
41:59We're fabulous, darling.
42:01We're going to be fabulous.
42:02Cheers.
42:03Cheers.
42:04Susanna's show went swimmingly,
42:06and €7,000 were raised for a charity close to Susanna's heart.
42:11John would be so happy that I'm still performing.
42:14I'm still doing the flamenco, even though he's not here with me.
42:17We met with me dancing in front of him on a stage,
42:20so that's how he will always be for me.
42:28Next time on The Costas,
42:30Lisa and Mark face a camper van catastrophe.
42:33What?
42:33The cover's come completely off, so...
42:35See?
42:36Singer Michelle needs to fix a costume disaster.
42:39But this has literally fallen to pieces now.
42:41And we're back down the markets with Costa Del Boy, John.
42:45I'd sell my grandma if I could get any money for her.
43:14I'd sell my grandma if I could get any money for her.