Checking out (From This Is Cheshire)

Checking out

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THE self indulgent froth that is Hotel Babylon has always passed me by thus far, but in the interests of this column I gave the first episode of the new series a whirl last Friday (BBC1).

Where do I begin? The staff are a rum bunch, the camera work is disturbing and the storyline was harder to believe than a politician's latest pronouncements.

I just about recognised Dexter Fletcher as the former young star of Press Gang in days gone by. Here he plays the concierge Tony, who tries to make things run smoothly for staff and guests alike.

Saving an Indian girl from a fate worse than death with Vik from Coronation Street was his main task last week - providing an opportunity for much garish colour and Bollywood music.

The hotel was inundated with people fleeing from a threatened terrorist attack, among them millionaire Sam Franklin, played by Nigel Harman, who has never bettered his performance as tortured Dennis since leaving EastEnders.

As Sam, he managed to lose his fortune and buy the hotel overnight - saving it and the jobs of Dexter and Co in one fell swoop. The episode ended with everyone dancing badly - especially Harman.

Not a hotel I think I'll want to be visiting again any time soon.