A man has become known as the ‘Duke of Benidorm’ after starting a new life in Spain.
Louis Thomas Grier had no money in the bank when he moved from Kirkby to Benidorm in January this year. The 30-year-old was running a B&B and a horse and donkey rescue in France, but was forced to close them both tanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Louis now uses his TikTok and YouTube accounts @thebenidormfanatic to share videos promoting businesses in Benidorm and showing tourists what it’s really like to live there.
READ MORE: 12 lost Liverpool buildings and attractions we can now only see in pictures
Louis told the ECHO: “The reason I moved was because I had an animal charity and I had a bed and breakfast – I lost them both due to covid. I wanted to go somewhere happy.
“I had no money in the bank. I met my now partner and we decided to go together.”
Louis initially got a job working in a local Indian restaurant where he started to attract more customers due to his “unique style”. He said: “Because of my unique style, my make up and my sense of humour, I started to entertain customers. Lots of people were coming in to meet me.”
Louis went on to appear on Channel 5’s Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun which follows Brits who have moved to Benidorm. He later worked as an entertainer and stripper for stag and hen parties, before becoming a promoter for businesses across Benidorm.
Louis said he now can’t walk down the main strip in Benidorm without someone stopping him and asking for a photo. He said: “People come up to me and call me the ‘Benidorm fanatic’ or the ‘Duke of Benidorm.’
“Being here has made me so happy. It lifted my spirits up massively. I get more Scousers coming to visit me than anyone else. I feel like a celebrity. It feels very humbling.”
Louis has also interviewed a number of celebrities during his time in the Spanish city, including Strictly’s Anton Du Beke, Crissy Rock and Paul Chuckle. He added: “I go around promoting businesses in Benidorm – I do comedy and entertainment for them.
“I show people the real Benidorm. It’s got a reputation for boozy Brits in the sun but it’s not the case.
“There’s a lot more to Benidorm than what people think. It’s got beautiful gold sandy beaches, we’ve got the old town that’s full of culture. We had one of the biggest fancy dress days in Europe. I was on the main stage in front of 60,000 people.”
Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up to our what’s on newsletter
