derren ronald litten (born 21 december 1970) is an english comedy writer and actor. he is best known as the creator and writer of the sitcom "benidorm". litten also co-wrote the "the catherine tate show", for which he both wrote and appeared as several different characters in the first two series and the 2005 christmas special. he has also acted in many comedy and drama series including "perfect world", "french and saunders", "spaced", "eastenders", coronation street, "pie in the sky" with richard griffiths.