Lonely Rhyl widower becomes Benidorm celeb after going on solo holiday

msn.com:

Denbighshire town, and after Nigel returned from a trip to Benidorm Derek said he wished he could go again. He had taken many trips over the years to the holiday destination with his late wife, and enjoys singing karaoke in the bars. Read more: Gwynedd man wins 'dumb criminal of the week' award and leaves police incredulous But after her death during the pandemic he had grown lonely, living on his own.

Nigel said: “I’m just happy I could make his dreams come true. As far as I know, he's living the life of Riley. " Nigel posted on Facebook the day before Derek’s trip to ask anyone who spots his friend to “say hello” and look out for him.

The post was then shared on group Benidorm Seriously - which boasts 162. 4k followers - and suddenly everyone in the resort wanted a picture with him. “I even saw a message today from a fella saying he wants his 80-year-old mother to meet up with Derek so they can go on holiday together,” said Nigel. "Everywhere he goes he’s getting attention.

People have said he looks like Robert DeNiro. ”According to the Mirror, Nigel said as soon as Derek arrived he met people in his hotel and has been out every day “living it up”. "I didn't know it was going to take off as big as this when I posted it. "He loves singing in the bars and people are going up to him, and they're saying 'you alright?' - they're looking after him. " Nigel insists Derek, despite being occasionally forgetful, is of sound mind and is "having a ball" making new friends.