Benidorm local criticizes Dean Gaffney after star’s holiday hell | Europe | Journey

A Benidorm resident took aim at EastEnders star Dean Gaffney after he shared footage from what appeared to be a rather disappointing holiday in the Spanish seaside resort.

The TV star, 46, took to Instagram last week to share clips of empty bars and clubs in Benidorm. Over a clip of a near-empty dance floor, Gaffney wrote: “I’m thinking…do I stay or go to Dubai…”

He also shared footage of a singer singing a tune in a completely empty bar.

However, according to local YouTuber “Benidorm by Ana”, her social media posts create a “false panorama of what Benidorm is like at the moment”.

In a recent video, she said: “Benidorm is as busy as it could be this October, even busier than in previous years… there are nightclubs and pubs that are full of people.”

Ana has amassed over 17,000 followers and regularly shares updates and information on the holiday hotspot. She recommended Gaffney follow her as well if he wants to avoid another disappointing trip.

She said: “I don’t know if he doesn’t follow us, probably not, but he should because he could have had the best holiday of his life in the city of Benidorm.

“Instead, they went to bars that aren’t as popular, they went to empty places, instead of going to amazing places, venues and events, where they could have had fun as much. I don’t know who planned their vacation, but they sure don’t know what they’re doing.

Ana said Gaffney’s messages made it seem like there was an “apocalypse” in Benidorm. She added: “We are here and we don’t know anything about it.”

She also took aim at reports suggesting theft and crime were a growing problem in Benidorm. “Obviously, like any other tourist destination, there are places where this can happen,” she explained. “It happens everywhere. In every tourist destination you go, you risk having your stuff stolen. By just taking some basic precautions, you can avoid all of this.”

Ana concluded by saying that Spain was “shocked” by what she described as an “aggressive” campaign against tourism in Benidorm.