27 November 2023 , 11:03
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A man who moved to Spain with no money after he was forced to close his B&B and animal rescue due to the pandemic, has become known as the 'Duke of Benidorm'.
Louis Thomas Grier now uses his TikTok and YouTube accounts to promote local businesses and show what life is like in Benidorm. The 30-year-old 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."
He initially worked in a local Indian restaurant where he entertained customers with his unique style and sense of humour. He said: "Because of my unique style, my makeup and my sense of humour, I started to entertain customers. Lots of people were coming in to meet me."
Louis, who once appeared on Channel 5's Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun, now works as an entertainer and promoter in Benidorm. 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 wants to show people what the Spanish city is really like (Louis Thomas Grier)He's also had the chance to interview celebs like Strictly's Anton Du Beke, Crissy Rock and Paul Chuckle promoting them on his account @thebenidormfanatic. Louis 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."
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"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."
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