A PENSIONER from Rhyl has become an overnight celebrity in Benidorm after returning to his and his late wife’s favourite holiday destination for the first time since her death.

Derek Flynn, 88, flew to Benidorm alone on February 5, and has been bombarded by holidaymakers wanting pictures with him after his friend, Nigel Hobdey, reached out on Facebook to ask tourists to take care of him.

The former miner has been “living his dream” during his three-week holiday, with Nigel, 61, having helped him book his travel and hotel, as well as agreeing to drop him off and pick up from Manchester Airport.

He is due to fly home on February 27 after having the time of his life.

Rhyl Journal: Derek and some new friends in BenidormDerek and some new friends in Benidorm (Image: Benidorm Seriously)

Rhyl Journal: Derek and some new friends in BenidormDerek and some new friends in Benidorm (Image: Benidorm Seriously)

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Nigel said: “I’ve seen him around a lot, but I’ve been talking to him a lot in the bookies for about the last six months. He always goes on about Benidorm!

“The last time he went to Benidorm, he and his wife were told after two days that they had to come home due to COVID.

“It was his dream, and it (booking the holiday) was too much for him to do on his own. He kept thinking and talking about it, so I said I’d take him and pick him up from the airport.

“I always say you get a better buzz giving something than receiving. His dream’s come true now – he’s had a cracking holiday, and doesn’t want to come home!”

Rhyl Journal: Derek and some new friends in BenidormDerek and some new friends in Benidorm (Image: Benidorm Seriously)

Nigel, who not long returned from Benidorm himself, a place he knows “back to front”, arranged with airline Jet2 to have extra assistance provided to Derek, to ensure his safety after landing.

Members of the Benidorm Seriously Facebook group, which boasts more than 160,000 members, have taken Derek under their wings following Nigel’s post.

The Servigroup Pueblo Benidorm Hotel, where Derek is staying, added that “we are taking good care of him!”

Rhyl Journal: Derek and some new friends in BenidormDerek and some new friends in Benidorm (Image: Benidorm Seriously)

Holidaymakers have likened Derek, who has often been seen singing at his resort’s karaoke bar, to actor Robert De Niro, Nigel said.

He added: “I got a message saying he’d arrived and was safe; then all of a sudden, he’s out singing and having photographs!

“He’s got about 200 friends over there – they walk him home every night. He gets up at 10am and gets back in at 2am – I don’t know where he gets the energy, but he's living the dream.”