Behind the scenes with Josh and Nish «Euro Weekly News

ON a sunny September morning in Albir on the Costa Blanca, the Euro Weekly News office is buzzing with activity. The final scenes are being shot for the episode of the popular Sky Max TV series Hold the front page featuring the dynamic duo of Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar in the making.

Josh and Nish spent some time working as local reporters for Euro Weekly News and their time on the coast of Spain is coming to an end. The crew meticulously arranges the shots as they talk animatedly about the highlights of their time here. Josh and Nish, dressed in their cream-colored linen suits and Panama-style hats, patiently perfected their scenes as they entered and arrived in the office again and again. While the director nods approvingly, I take the opportunity to sit down with the two British comedians. I'm curious about their insights into the world of local reporting in Benidorm and the surrounding areas.

Tell me about your experience and what you thought of it.

Josh: I loved it, I had a really nice time. Sometimes a little too hot, I can't handle the heat well. I'm having trouble with the heat, but otherwise I enjoyed my time. As I said to Michel and Steven (the owners of Euro Weekly News), the newspaper is at the heart of the community and is therefore multicultural.

Nisch: It was interesting to see a side of Benidorm that is made up of people who live here and not tourists. We really enjoyed going to Polop, it was nice to go to the hills and see towns where people actually live, that was really beautiful. It's completely different. I think there are two Benidorm's, the one that people visit and the one where people live. Benidorm is its own little place.

Is there anything you didn't like?

Josh: I wouldn't say the center of the strip in Benidorm is the best place to be on an evening if you've recently stopped drinking! Let's put it this way.

Nisch: Yes it's a drunken place, but then again that's one of the two Benidorm's, the touristy side is definitely a special flavour. Yes, Benidorm is unique to the rest of Spain, but it is a really nice place.

Josh: I used to love the TV show Eldorado, so it was good to experience it.

Nisch: I've never heard of this TV show!

Josh: Benidorm is like Eldorado, but with less drama…

Nisch: I was disappointed not to see Ray Winston in orange underpants. Sexy Beast is really my version of English people living in Spain. In retrospect, I think it's probably a good idea that we didn't encounter them.

What surprised you the most?

Nisch: Well, I guess you have no idea what the people who actually live here are like. So that was very nice and surprising and pleasant.

Josh: Yeah, I thought I was going to meet Colin (they refer to one of the articles they wrote, Dragtastic, which appeared in the Costa Blanca North edition on October 4) It was just incredible. You see a man who has come here and created a completely unique life as a drag performer. If you're doing six shows a week you'll probably struggle to do that in the UK.

Nish: Yes, I don't think the combination of horse shelter and drag artist is that typical. It's quite specific and quite difficult to pull off, and also just the fact that you can have so much farmland where those animals can live safely and then he can drive an hour and a half away and do a drag show is very special. specific thing to be able to do.

Josh: I was also impressed by people drinking lager with breakfast!

Nisch: Breakfast Pils €1 per pint!

What was your favorite story you've covered?

Nisch: Absolutely Colin.

Josh: Colin too, but I'll say something different. Psychic dating was certainly a unique experience

Will you keep the pink sunglasses for life?

Nisch: Yeah, I'm definitely going to keep my pink sunglasses.

Josh: I lost mine on day one.

Have you lost your sunny outlook on life?

Josh: Well, that's what I blame. I discovered that Euro Weekly News had a unique approach to news, in that it is good to be somewhere where there is positive news. It's a good lesson to take with me into life, but I'll probably forget it by the time I get to Britain.

What was the difference between local news coverage in Britain and here in Spain?

Nisch: It's so hyper-specific. It's not just about an area, it's about a specific community within an area. We always knew this was going to be an episode unlike any other we've done in two series of the show.

Josh: Plus, and I can't stress this enough, Michel is the best-dressed editor we've worked with.

Were you afraid of the nails?

Josh: They did at first, but I'd say she's not as scary as she tries to make out.

Nisch: Yes, she is sweet.

Catherine: Yeah, she's pretty inspiring to work for.

Nisch: Yeah great, I bet she is.

Josh: You're going to have to grow those nails!

Catherine: I'm working on it!

The Euro Weekly News episode of Hold the front page aired on Sky Max on May 8 and for those who missed it, it should be available to watch on catch-up.

For more news and events click here