Zante Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents

This programme contains strong language.

The freedom of your first ever holiday with your mates.

Where everyone's up for it, and anything goes. Cheap booze...

..dirty dancing...

..and that all-important independence.

GLASS SMASHES

A chance to get away from Mum and Dad.

Sorry, Dad.

If my mum saw me right now, she'd be like, "What?!"

But on this holiday, the parents are coming too.

Secretly watching.

Sophie!

-Sneakily spying.

-I can't stand it.

And outrageously hiding.

-Get down!

-DRUNKEN GIGGLING

All to see if their kids can stand on their own two feet.

-EXCITED SCREAMING

-Well, I think we're pretty disgusted.

She's gone for a vajazzle.

This is not what a mum wants to see.

-Sorry, stop filming.

-But will it bring them closer together...

I love that boy so much.

..or drive them further apart?

-You're nicked.

-Oh, my God!

Coming up...

-SCREAMING

-..it's sun...

-Oh, my God!

..sex and excess...

..on the Greek island of Zante...

..as 19-year-old party animal Alex escapes the step-dad she can't stand.

He's just the man that my mother married.

If I do anything, I'm the biggest outlaw in the land.

But can she find the acceptance she's been looking for?

I feel like I've lost a mother.

DRUNKEN GIGGLING

And 18-year-old Sophie heads off for a wild time...

I'm drunk, but not half as much as I can be.

..and revels in the chance to get away from her religious parents.

I'm hoping there are certain activities, sleeping around, drugs, that she just has nothing to do with.

-But as the parents spy on their kids' every move...

-Sophie!

-FATHER LAUGHS

..what will they make of the resort?

It looks like hell on earth.

Well, I think it's pretty disgusting.

Can a Christian mum relive her forgotten youth?

Er...hammered. Absolutely hammered.

And will a strict dad cope with his daughter's drunken antics?

I don't think Christianity's uppermost in Sophie's mind at the minute.

All before giving Sophie and Alex the shock of their lives.

-Hello, Alex!

-Oh, no!

-HER FRIEND LAUGHS

KNOCK AT DOOR

-What?

-Do you want a drink or anything?

-No, I'm all right.

In Newcastle, 19-year-old beauty student Alex

is about to leave behind her mum, Julia, and step-dad, Mike.

So you can't really tell me what to do, can you?

-I don't tell you what to do.

-You try.

-Well, your mum doesn't tell you what to do, does she?

-Cos I'm 19 years old.

-Oh, don't start.

Brought up by single mum Julia,

when Alex was 10, her mum began a relationship with Mike.

I think she found it really, really hard.

Her perception is that I stick up for Mike over her.

In my eyes, anyway, it always ends up that my mum sides with him.

Well, if you're 19 years of age...

-..act 19.

-I do.

-Not like a child of two.

-That's why I'm moving out in September.

If I do anything, I'm the biggest outlaw in the land,

if Alex does anything, well, it's Alex.

I'm sick of being piggy in the middle between the two of them.

The only man in Alex's life is boyfriend Darren, who's currently working abroad.

I love my boyfriend, Darren, absolutely to pieces. I'm completely head over heels for him.

Alex's relationship with Darren is another of the many things her and her parents don't see eye to eye on.

Your mum is worried about what's going to happen on holiday.

Now, being on this type of holiday,

I had no intention whatsoever of cheating on my girlfriend, but I can assure you, I did.

-As if I'm going to cheat on him.

-It happens.

-Yes, that's you, though, that's not me.

-It happens.

-Yeah, but it's you, not me.

-All right.

-All right, just calm down, the two of you.

So Alex is looking forward to escaping the family battles.

I've never been away with my friends before, and I can't wait to just...party on.

Joining Alex in holiday hedonism is best friend, hairdresser Dominic.

Get on it like a car bonnet, as the Geordies say.

And party girl Katie.

I do tend to pull when I go out, like, every time I go out.

I can see us literally getting off the plane, going straight to the shop, buying a bottle of vodka.

Drinking it all, then heading out.

-Sante!

-Sante!

-Woo!

But on this holiday, Alex isn't going to get everything as she wants.

Mum and step-dad are secretly coming along, too,

in the hope they can rebuild their fragile relationship with Alex.

I do feel shut out.

When she was younger, we were very, very close, very close.

I'd love to get that back one day, I really would.

I'd like us to be more like a family very, very much,

because I don't like living in this atmosphere.

Right Alex, have a lovely time. Bye-bye.

Be careful.

Little does she know she'll be seeing us

much sooner than she thinks.

18-year-old Sophie has been brought up in Brighton

by her strict dad, Ray, and protective mum, Donna.

My Christian faith, to me, I call it the bedrock of my life.

We're really hoping that Sophie has a moral compass

that she can use for herself.

She's definitely a mummy's girl.

She was brought up very much in a Christian family.

We've instilled good morals into her, I hope.

You still like your cuddles, don't you?

But daughter Sophie doesn't quite share her parents' Christian values.

I'm definitely the one who gets drunk the most.

We always end up naked for some reason.

We know if we're drunk, it's just, clothes straight off.

It's just naked time!

-How much will you be drinking when you're away?

-A lot.

I still don't think that's a good thing.

He doesn't really like drinking.

If he had his way, there would be curfews and things at that.

If, after two litres of vodka, you're not alive,

do you think that's the right way to experiment?

You know I'm not going to listen, and do my own thing.

Yeah, and pay for it later.

You're going to be the stroppy teenager!

Unfortunately for dad, downing the drinks

isn't the only thing Sophie has planned for her trip abroad.

There will definitely be a lot of snogging on holiday.

Girlie snogging as well.

I have absolute trust that when boys are staying over,

there's a group of them in there

and they're just going to sleep after a good night out.

My dad definitely thinks when I've got a boy staying over,

they sleep on the floor but they don't, they sleep in my bed.

For ladette Sophie,

this is her last holiday with her mates before heading to uni.

Joining her for wild times are best friend

and party animal, Claire.

I'll be crazy and probably very messy.

Extrovert, Hayley.

Sex!

And Jack the Lad, George.

Getting smashed, that's pretty much the main idea, yeah.

Sophie has no idea that mum and dad will be coming, too.

If she doesn't have to think for herself, she won't.

I think it would be nice to see that she has the confidence

and the ability to look after herself abroad on her own

and be independent of me.

I'm hoping there are certain activities, sleeping around, drugs,

she has nothing to do with.

See you later.

Be good, won't you?

Bye, girls, be good.

Bye, love you! Bye!

I guess we'll see them there!

The Greek island of Zante.

Many come for the stunning scenery,

beautiful beaches and historic culture.

But each year, tens of thousands of young British tourists

descend on the resort of Laganas

to drink, dance and party till dawn.

And arriving to join the fun is Sophie and her friends,

Claire, Hayley and George.

Oh, that's amazing.

I'm feeling like I need to get drunk.

Buzzing!

Oh, we have a balcony!

I'm living on a balcony.

-There's an ashtray in the room, you know what that means?

-Smoking!

With the accommodation sorted,

the Brighton gang get the party started early at the hotel bar.

These are called head buckers and they have five spirits in them.

Real absinthe - 80%.

Oh, my God, feel how actually hot it is.

Parent-free Alex and her mates have just touched down

and are ready to party.

I just want a vodka now.

Bring me a Sex on the Beach!

Alex, Dom and Katie are sharing a room

close to the Laganas main strip.

There isn't a bath.

Agh! Aagh!

What is it, what is that? It was on my bed!

Is that a spider?

Is that actually a spider?

It's tiny.

I'm sorry, I have an actual phobia of spiders.

It'll be fine, I'll shake all the covers for you before you go to bed.

Across town, the party spirit has already kicked off

and Sophie is getting acquainted with the local boys.

-Where you from?

-Italy.

-Really? That's where my great-aunty lives.

She loves Italians.

-How old are you?

-19. How old are you?

-23.

We just got followed by these Italians

who took this into a corner of the pool so we couldn't get out.

We tried to steal this one guy's li-lo and he just stayed in it. We don't want to share.

We went to tip him off and he just wouldn't get off.

One of them was, like, "Come to my room." No. Not coming!

That would have made my holiday if they did. Italians! Oh!

I looked at the size of their dicks, and thought, "Um..."

They were, like, this big.

I love the way they wear their speedos, like...

No. What is wrong with you?

As Sophie swoons over the Italian eye candy,

she is completely unaware that her mum, Donna,

has just arrived in Zante.

Dad, Ray, is on business and will join her tomorrow.

Donna is meeting up with Alex's mum, Julia, and stepdad, Mike,

before their spying adventure begins.

-Hello.

-Hi. I'm Julia.

-I'm Donna.

-Hello. Donna.

-This is Mike.

-Mike. Pleased to meet you.

-Mike.

-Are you worried?

-Yes. You?

-Yes.

About what the children are up to.

Let's hope nothing awful happens.

Alex and I don't get on.

I'd love to think that something like this

would improve our relationship.

I'm worried about with Sophie

that she's going to end up too drunk and make a fool of herself

and I'm worried about... the men.

She's not one for the boys and... I don't know.

I just think she's...

I don't know that she can handle herself with older boys or not.

Sophie and friends have hit the strip.

I want to get so drunk tonight. It's our first night.

You haven't seen anything yet!

Glamazon Alex is getting her first taste of the Laganas nightlife.

As the teenagers go large on the strip,

their parents are heading straight for them.

Ray would hate this sort of road. He would hate it.

I am wondering where Alex is right now.

I'd like to see what she's up to.

The parents are getting closer.

If any of the teenagers spot them, it's game over.

Behind the bar doing jager bombs. I'll ask everyone if they want one.

As Alex chats to some new friends, the van approaches.

Pulling up now.

-They've got two guys talking to them.

-Oh yeah.

Oh, right.

I lost my fags!

They were down there, somewhere!

Sophie's partying at the other end of the strip,

oblivious to her mum's presence.

I'd love to go stop outside and watch them for a little bit.

There's no danger of getting caught

as Sophie's mind is elsewhere.

I spat so much over Sophie's face,

I don't know how we won.

-I was laughing while I was doing it.

-All the drink is down my boobs.

I'm keeping it for later.

Just poked my head out the window and saw Sophie and all her friends.

She looks as if she's drunk already.

Excited at seeing her daughter, Julie risks a call to Alex.

'Hi Alex. It's just me.'

I just wanted to check that you got there safely.

Jules, why are you panicking?

'I'm not panicking.'

-You having a nice time?

-'Yes.'

Well, I've literally just started having a nice time

and then you're ringing me to check up on me.

I'm not checking up on you,

I'm just making sure that you're there safely.

You are(!)

All right, well enjoy yourself and be careful.

Bye!

I was, like, "Jules, you're panicking." She was, "I'm not."

I just wanted to make sure you had a nice flight!

Sophie is making the most of being parent free,

but mum, Donna, decides to have some fun of her own.

Hello. You all right? 'It's your mum.'

Hello!

How's your holiday?

It is really good so far, actually. Pretty good.

What are you doing now, then?

Just chilling, like looking around,

checking out the night birds and all that shit.

Oh, right!

How are you doing at home? How are you doing? Are you bored?

No, it's lovely and peaceful.

I'm going to go to sleep now.

You're going to sleep now, are you?

-I'm not drunk.

-All right, fine.

Bye. Love you.

I love you, I love you.

Going to bed(!)

I said to my mum, "I'm not drunk", because I'm not!

I'm drunk, but not half as much as I can be.

Ray is much stricter than I am and he won't like...

The stage she's at now, he'd be fine with.

He won't mind her being a little bit tiddly which is what she is.

But he won't like to see her absolutely plastered.

Whilst the parents head to their hotel...

Sophie's hitting to grips with a gobsmacking local drinking ritual.

These girls are going to pass ingredients of Sex on the Beach from your mouth,

to your mouth to your mouth into the boy's mouth.

We are just drinking alcohol, not water. Don't you worry.

But, by 2am, the Brighton bunch have had one too many.

Basically, a good time, we're all really fucked.

-Can you give me your lighter?

-Yeah, yeah.

And it's time to call it a night.

The Geordies are getting on it like a car bonnet.

ALL SCREAM

Party on, brother!

And Alex and Katie are getting acquainted with the local bar staff.

If this ruins my make-up, I'm going to be very upset.

One hand on top.

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...

One hand on the bottom.

-Go on, girl!

-No!

Shake it!

I'm a bit confused.

I'm not sure that I know what to say, right now.

Shall we go in here?

The Geordie gang head to a bar belonging to a friend of Dominic's

and Alex and Katie decide to head behind the bar.

-No, no!

-It's his birthday, too.

No, you've got that one, this one's mine.

You what? I want his top?

He won't give it to me. He said, "Err, I don't...

Fuck you!

But best friend, Dom, is less than impressed.

I am being respectful, I've come this side of the bar.

But things soon escalate into a full blown row.

Katie's still behind the bar. She's not getting told off. I'm getting the shit.

I wasn't giving you shit. Do you know what, you said to me,

-"Who's in the wrong, me, who, her, who...

-I went, if I was...

-I said, "Do you know what? Me. I'm in the wrong."

-I know.

No, Dominic, I said, "If I'm in the wrong..." I said, "If I'm in the wrong, I'll take the blame."

No!

Yeah, because Katie's your fucking friend, and I'm not.

Right now, all I want to do...

is see my boyfriend.

He's the only person, in the world...

I've felt like I can tell anyone anything.

Anything to...

Without being judged.

More than anything...

I wish Darren was here,

because I know that he wouldn't leave me.

I know that he wouldn't pick anyone else over me.

I know... No matter what I did, he wouldn't leave me like other people have done.

Everyone's just fucking up...

Things are going to be OK.

I've had enough drink. I know I've had enough alcohol.

In an emotional state, and feeling rejected,

Alex's thoughts quickly turn to her troubles at home with Mum and stepdad, Mike.

I'm not going to say that he didn't try, because he did try. He tried very hard.

But the fact is, that she never says to me, "Do you want to do this today,

"Do you maybe want to go out shopping" or "Do you want to go to the beach?"

She just assumes I don't want to do things with her.

Friends and Darren are the only ones there for me

and I would love it if she was there for me.

I feel like I've lost more than a friend. I feel like I've lost a mother.

I feel like I live in a house with two people I don't know.

I don't want anybody to be upset.

I want it to be like having fun.

I'm honestly fine.

Like stuff has got me, but I'm fine... Honestly.

Do you want me to hug you?

Come on.

Sophie's dad, Ray, has arrived in Zante, just in time.

The parents are about to see footage of Alex and Sophie's holiday so far.

Sophie does have Christian values.

Whenever you drink too much, there's an absence of control. We'll see how she handles that with her friends.

Alex's mum, Julia, is expecting the worst.

Possibly going back to the hotel and being sick drunk.

-That's what I'm expecting.

-I hope not.

It'll be interesting to see if it's any different now from when we were young.

-Ready?

-Come on.

-I'm Ray.

-This is Julia.

-Hello, Ray. Lovely to meet you.

-And you.

-This is Mike.

-Hello, Mike.

Trusting parents, Donna and Ray, know very little about Sophie's secret life.

She loves the Italians.

-OK, so I was wrong about her with boys.

-Yeah.

If I'm drunk and I feel like an Italian, I might go back there.

No, you won't, Soph. No, you won't.

I was looking at the size of their dicks, really.

Oh!

Sophie!

-I couldn't believe she said that.

-Yeah.

Give me some Aggie.

It's a pretty hefty start.

It's ridiculous, isn't it? They just drink alcohol, to drink it.

They're just downing it, aren't they?

Once you've finished the last one...

Oh, that's disgusting!

-Oh, God, that is horrible.

-Oh, no!

-I don't like that.

-That's horrible.

For a Christian father, from what I saw of Sophie last night, for me, there was too much drinking.

Julia and Mike are next to watch their daughter's antics.

They pour drink in...

Oh, my God! What is he going to do?

-This has made Sophie's little fairytale...

-Look where the other hand's going.

Oh!

I don't know what this game is, but I've never played it before.

-Well...

-Well, it was pretty disgusting.

-I don't think it was that bad.

-I did.

-I mean, he didn't get it out.

-He didn't get anything out, we didn't see anything.

You mean, did he get his willy out? No.

We saw what he was doing with it, with the cocktail shaker.

Now, Dominic, I said...

She's getting ratty now.

-I said, "If I'm in the wrong..."

-Do you know what?

Dear me...

-Mike, I never took to him...

-She's talking about me.

-Shh!

I'm not going to say that he didn't try, because he did try.

He tried very hard to try and be a good figure in my life.

Oh, Alex...

Like I try and tell her stuff, I do, I really try.

I feel like I've lost a mother.

-I feel like I live in a house...

-Oh, bless her.

With two people I don't know.

Oh...

Dear me.

And she's so wrong.

You know...

She really is so wrong.

-There's nothing in the world I'd like MORE than to be her best friend.

-Mmm.

At ten years of age, I wouldn't have wanted another man

coming into my life with my mum.

But I did try my damn best and I think you'd agree there.

Maybe she'll come to understand how I really do feel about her.

I don't know.

She seems set in her mind, though, that I'm the enemy.

After last night's emotional outpouring,

Alex's thoughts are still focussed on her life at home.

With regards to, like, my mother, she either doesn't listen,

which is why I don't tell her anything any more unless I have to.

Like, I can imagine her coming and giving me a hug

and be, "I didn't know you felt that way." I find it uncomfortable to hug her.

I wouldn't want it to change now, because it's been that way for so long. I'm used to it.

I'm independent now and I don't need her.

Sophie's organising some water sports for her friends,

in the hope of seeing more of the island.

This is for the water sports.

This is the flight I told you, it's like the UFO.

-Is it scary?

-No, it's not scary.

As she suffers dyslexia, Sophie usually relies on her parents to arrange everything,

but, today, she's doing it herself.

-And this is the water park?

-Yeah, the water park.

-I think we'll do this one.

-Yeah.

-It looks better.

Donna and Ray are keen to see how Sophie is coping on her own.

-I look ridiculous.

-Absolutely!

So, they've decided to go incognito in the hopes of catching a glimpse of their daughter.

Do you think Sophie will recognise me in a blonde wig?

Mum and Dad are hiding in a nearby beach bar.

-Is that them out there?

-What, on the jetty?

-Yeah.

I'm pretty scared too.

Oh, yeah, Sophie is. I'm not too bad.

There they go.

SCREAMING

Oh, ho, ho, ho...

We shouldn't be doing it, but it's really exciting to be spying on them.

-Sophie's being dragged along.

-I can see.

SCREAMING

I like to see them, as a group, bonding together while they're not under the influence of alcohol.

There she goes. Oh, no, no... Yeah, yeah.

That was amazing, absolutely amazing.

-At one point we nearly tipped over.

-I really nearly wet myself. I was so scared.

Sophie is quite clingy to me at home so it is really nice.

You can think you've done a good job as a mum when they can go off and be independent.

She's one of those ones that I have wondered about

but she has got the confidence to do those things.

It's great, yeah. It's good. It is liberating to see her do it.

Right, so we'll go here.

Right, so we need vodka, something to mix vodka with, tabs...

Alex, Dom and Katie are stacking up on booze for their second big night.

Which, is just as well, as stepdad, Mike, and mum, Julia

are having a good old nose around their room.

-It's tiny, isn't it?

-It's tiny.

They're keen to see how Alex will cope when she moves into her own student flat.

-What's that?

-That's hair.

-The reason they haven't hung their clothes up, Mike...

-Nowhere to hang it.

There's a little wardrobe behind you but, apart from that, there doesn't seem to be a lot else.

That's no excuse. There's nothing in the wardrobe.

Look at it.

LAUGHTER

No, don't put it in, Mike.

We're not supposed to have been here.

He wouldn't make a very good detective, would he?

Right, come on, come on.

It's 7pm and, at her hotel, Sophie's revelling in life away from her religious parents.

Now, I'm 18, I'm an adult.

So, they have no control over me any more.

But those parents are about to eavesdrop on her conversation

from the room next door.

-My dad doesn't drink.

-What? At all?

-No.

-Even on New Year's...?

-He's a priest.

-Yeah.

LAUGHTER

They're talking about Dad not drinking. They can't believe it. Even on New Year's, they're saying.

He's training to be a priest.

Or, near as.

-He is a priest.

-When I'm drunk I try and get my point across.

I don't think Christianity is uppermost in Sophie's mind at the minute.

Particularly, as she's had a few drinks, by the look of her

and they're planning to have a whole lot more.

-When you're drunk, like I do, you go on and on...

-My God, you do.

-Do you worry about her?

-Yeah, I do.

There's a chance she could be split up from them and she could drown in her own vomit.

When she's sick somewhere, with the rest of them drunk.

She's very, very strong willed, she's like you, isn't she?

-You two are very similar, which is why you come to a head a lot, don't you?

-Mm-hm.

Sophie has her own opinion, so we tend to disagree and don't find any common ground.

-Claire!

-We're going in!

As the teenagers hit the strip,

Donna and Ray have decided to come too, anxious to see

more of the Sophie they don't know.

They've hidden in a car park at the back of the club.

I was very much like Sophie as a teenager.

I did like to club and dance.

-Do you want to go in there?

-I'll give it a go.

Keen to relive her own teen years,

Donna risks blowing her cover and sneaks in for a cheeky rave.

-That was great fun!

-Yeah.

-It was great fun.

Our kids'd kill us, but it was great fun.

Can we have two of the strongest drinks possible?

3, 2, 1...go!

What's she doing? What is she doing?

THEY CHEER

Oh, Sophie's hammered!

They're...

hammered, absolutely hammmered.

Bad move with the strongest drink possible, bad move.

I don't think binge drinking's a good idea, wherever you do it.

The writing was on the wall when they were getting ready.

I feel it's a shame for her that she's ruined her evening

with whatever she's had.

You know, she's gone a little bit too far.

THEY SING ALONG

Geordie dancing queens Katie and Dom are having a ball.

Me and Katie are getting on awesome.

Katie's been dancing around.

She's all over the place.

But just like last night, Alex is feeling left out.

Come on!

They're not listening. Well, I...I'm going.

Determined to have fun of her own,

Alex heads off to make some new friends.

Tonight she's been very off-ish with us,

and it's not a good thing. You don't want that with your friend.

Back at the hotel, yet another row breaks out between

Alex and best friend Dom, who wants to know

what happened with her and one of the DJs.

They were like, "Oh, we saw you talking to the DJ."

They just went, "What happened? What happened?"

Fed of up Dom's accusations,

Alex makes up a story to get her own back.

Maybe whether it was a personal joke...

I don't like to argue, and yet...

it seems to be me and her, probably because,

like I say, I don't put up with shit.

Obviously nothing happened. I just danced with the DJ, so I don't see

why that has to be that anything's happened.

If that's the way she feels...

crack on, love.

I feel...

he hasn't known Katie as long as me

and I feel replaced by Katie, so it's a bit shit.

At their hotel, the parents are anxious to see footage

of what Alex and Sophie got up to yesterday.

-Let's see what happens now.

-What's in store for us this time?

-Exactly.

With regards to my mother,

she either doesn't listen...

and doesn't know me at all,

so I don't tell her anything any more unless I have to.

No, you don't.

Like...I can imagine her coming and giving me a hug and being like,

"I didn't know you felt that way,"

and I find it uncomfortable to hug her.

-Oh, dear.

-That's a typical teenage thing to say, though, isn't it?

Yeah.

When I give her a hug, it does, it feels uncomfortable.

-It's gone so far, you find it difficult to...

-Yeah.

What she probably doesn't realise is, it's exactly the same for me!

They never do. Yeah.

For a long, long time, Alex and I have not been close,

and she's lived in our house,

but she refers to herself as a lodger in her own house,

and she feels like a lodger, really, doesn't she?

I often feel like a lodger in the house.

You know...I do, and I've said that often to you.

As I've said, in the past, on many occasions,

once again, I'm piggy in the middle.

That was the strongest drink I've ever taken in my life.

'I can't see right now.'

When we saw them in the club, they all seemed fine. Really pleased.

They had that drink...the evening then took a different turn.

That was just heavy drinking.

Yeah, I don't want to annoy you, cos I'm so drunk I've got to go home,

but I don't want you to go home because of us.

-Good for her.

-They're arguing...

-Sophie wants to go home, is it?

-One of them's...

They're talking about going home.

But with each other, not splitting up.

One's not well. They say they'll take them home.

Meg! Meg!

I got no...my tits are out.

The fact she's then recognised

she's had enough and wants to go back...

Good for her, yeah. That's good.

Which one's better?

If you want more excitement, that one.

Sophie's actually organised that herself. I'm impressed.

And she's said what the lady said to her.

-She's remembered it.

-Yeah.

-She's made a decision, Ray!

-Yeah. It's great.

Sophie to organise something, with her dyslexia,

typically is quite difficult.

-Oh, I see.

-It's been quite tough bringing her up because she's...

-And now she's showing us that she can do it.

-She's all right.

She has to go out into the world and do her thing without me,

and somehow, she's going to have to work out a way to do that.

We can safely back off now

and let her move on to uni quite happily.

In a bid to clear the air after several nights of arguing,

Dom and Katie have arranged a surprise for horse-mad Alex.

SHE SCREAMS

But Katie's having a last-minute wobble.

I've never felt comfortable being round horses.

-You all right?

-No, I'm not. I can't do it.

-You're not going to do it?

-That's all right.

-I'm not comfortable at all.

-At least you tried.

-They can be scary-looking.

-Yeah, definitely.

So if you don't want to do it, that's cool.

Come on, quick, quick.

Alex won't be the only one enjoying the ride.

Step-dad Mike and mum Julia are on the beach.

You got your binoculars?

Concerned with how upset her daughter has been,

Julia wants to get a closer look.

-Oh, here they are. Right, I've got them.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

Wow.

-That is beautiful.

-That is such a lush view.

Wow.

-It's Alex in front, isn't it?

-Yeah.

She looks really, really good.

I love this.

It's fun.

For the last few days, relations at home

have never been far from Alex's thoughts,

and riding a horse reminds her of her childhood with her mum.

When I got my first pony, Charlie, I was 10,

and yeah, that was a time when we were really close.

She started going out with Mike a few years later,

and she didn't really have the time any more.

She looks very relaxed.

I wish I was with her.

And for Julia, it's also brought back memories

of their past relationship.

Alex and I were very, very close when she was young,

and we used to get a lot of pleasure in doing horsey things together.

Yeah, it was great fun, and yeah, I miss it. I miss it.

So I hope at the end of this experience that she might

think differently, maybe,

and she might realise that whatever she thinks,

I actually do love her very much.

Where is my bronzer?

Across town, Sophie's also thinking about the distance

that's grown between her and her father.

No, I don't get on with my dad.

We just don't talk to each other.

Even if I've had a massive fight, if I'm going out,

I'll always be, like, "Bye, love you."

And I wait for him to say it back.

And I know it's forced for him to say it.

I think me and my dad would get on better if he actually spoke to me.

Cos we shout and we just never sort it out.

-Oh, Myie!

-Oh, baby!

I just feel sad.

Oh, Myie.

It's all right, I'll be your daddy.

Thanks, baby girl.

On the strip, the party's in full swing for Alex.

And tonight, a couple of other ravers are joining her.

Last time in a nightclub?

-It'd be in the '70s, wouldn't it?

-'70s.

Got to be the '70s.

Julia and Mike are hiding in the manager's office,

spying on Alex's every move.

I was worried the other day because she'd obviously fallen out.

Now they seem to have made up. They seem to be getting on very well now.

Somebody's got a chainsaw or something.

He's going to set her on fire, she's standing right behind him!

Oh, God.

And we say,

Feed the! Feed the! Feed the fucking pigeons!

(CROWD) Feed the! Feed the! Feed the fucking pigeons!

For 57-year-old Julia and 65-year-old Mike,

it's a bewildering experience.

I thought they're saying something about pigeons?

What does it mean?

How anyone can listen to that and think it's music,

God only knows.

When I was a teenager, it was Elvis Presley, Tommy Steele

and then we graduated to The Beatles.

I think it looks like hell on earth.

I really do!

We must be getting old.

THEY LAUGH

Make some noise for yourselves!

Not quite to Julia and Mike's cup of tea,

after just an hour's clubbing, they call it a night.

-That was great to see, wasn't it?

-Yeah, it was.

She looked as if she was having a really good time.

Fucking hell, I'm knackered, love. Me back's killing me.

-Into bed and I'll be straight to sleep.

-Yeah.

For the first time since they arrived,

the Geordie gang have managed to stay argument-free,

and the excitement's gone to their head.

-There's been a bit of tashing on tonight.

-Don't even say that!

Katie, Dominic and Ally are rolling in mortal drunk to their apartment.

Oh, I found a penny!

Ooh!

(Fuck.)

THEY LAUGH

Well, here's me actually falling over.

My bum feels like it's got pine needles stuck in it.

I'm like a porcupine.

-I'm going to wee myself!

-And in a bush again.

I've got pine cones stuck on my bum!

As their time on the island of Zante draws to an end,

the teenagers are reflecting on their holiday so far.

I'm so glad we had this chance to go away with each other,

because, especially Hayley's going, obviously, to Australia,

so it's nice that... after this holiday,

I think it's going to be impossible to ever lose contact with her,

whereas before, everyone drifts.

But I think because we've had this week together, I just love her more.

And despite the recent arguments, spirits are high at Alex's hotel.

I actually expected, after the first couple of nights,

maybe this holiday was going to drive us apart.

It's nice to see her feeling relaxed enough

with us that she can be herself,

and she's growing up a little bit

and realising she doesn't have to put on a front.

Oh, no!

Doing the surprise for her, taking her horse riding,

made her really, really happy,

and I think it made her realise we are her friends.

THEY LAUGH

Yesterday I felt really valued and it put me in a really good mood.

So, good times.

I wonder what we'll see today.

-It's really very interesting.

-What they got up to last night.

-Could go either way, couldn't it?

-Yeah.

The parents are hoping to catch up on what they missed yesterday.

Generally, for me, seeing Sophie binge drinking is a concern.

Over time, I hope that the whole group of them

are going to learn to regulate their use of alcohol,

and that binge drinking doesn't become a factor in

what for them is a good night out.

That is the strongest drink I've honestly ever had in my life,

and I would never, ever do that ever again.

Yeah, good for you, Sophie.

My mum, if she saw me in that state, she would just be like,

"No, that's not cool.

"It's dangerous." It is dangerous as well.

-Oh, she's agreeing it's dangerous.

-Yeah.

-Good girl.

All the things we talked about...

Yeah, she's actually agreeing with.

She's being quite sensible.

Oh, here we go. Getting ready to go out again.

If I've had a fight, if I'm going out,

I'll always be, like, "Bye, love you."

-And I'll wait for him to say it back.

-Yeah.

And I know it's forced for him to say it, as well.

Oh, it's not, Sophie! Oh, it's not!

Oh, Myie!

It's all right, I'll be your daddy.

-"I'll be your daddy," Claire says.

-Prepare for a fight then, Claire!

-Did you hear what she said?

-I didn't.

She said, "I always say, 'Goodbye, I love you,'

"when I leave the house, and I'll wait for him

"to say it back, even though it's difficult for him to say."

-Awww. That's not fair.

-Didn't you hear that?

No, I didn't catch that part.

I've been very interested to hear Sophie saying

she'd actually like to talk more.

If we can find a way of coming round

to discussion that isn't going to upset one or both of us,

and make more of an effort between us,

I think that's... I certainly will be working at that.

When I got my first pony, Charlie, I was 10.

Me and my mum used to go to the stables every night after

school and she stuck around.

That's a time when we were close

but also I feel she had time for me.

After that, she started going out with Mike

and she didn't have the time any more.

The time I'm getting was Alex's time.

So, I can understand.

Yeah, absolutely.

We were very close, because I was beginning to wonder

whether I was imagining it.

There is nothing I would love more than to get close to her

and have a proper conversation and of course after this experience,

that's what I will be trying to do.

I just hope she wants the same thing,

that she is willing to take a step towards me.

Both Alex and Sophie's crews are at the Carnage Pub Crawl.

The biggest event of the week on The Strip.

Are we going in here?

Where do you get stamped?

In less than 24 hours, the parents will be surprising the teenagers.

But for tonight, they are teaming up for one final spy mission.

Hiding on the balcony of a bar right above Sophie and Alex.

It's really exciting!

And sitting in front of this screen is surreal.

I was like, "Chuck my fags out, they're weighing me down!"

There's Sophie!

She has her hands in the air with a balloon. Careful.

Just in front of the club and there's the girls.

I can see her.

Oh, wow! Fire eater.

You felt the heat then, didn't you?

-I want a go.

-I want a go.

-Sophie is right below us.

She is looking in our direction. She doesn't know we're here.

It is good to see her. She looks good.

Alex and Sophie have had a great time

but tomorrow their parents will reveal the truth.

I hope she might see a different side of us as well as us seeing a different side of her.

I hope it comes to fruition

what I would like to come to fruition.

Us all getting back and being a happy family

because she is nothing like the Alex we see in the house.

She doesn't tell you what she does when she's out clubbing

because she thinks you will be critical and judgemental and ashamed of her.

For me, I wanted an insight into the world she hadn't shared with me.

That, I think, is exactly what I got.

Carnage!

The moment has come for Julia

and step-dad Mike to reveal themselves to Alex.

The nearer it gets to me seeing her

and meeting her, the more nervous I'm getting.

I don't know what the reaction will be.

If it's not fine, then I will have to be grown up about it and take it on the chin.

Don't worry, love.

As Alex and Mike are often at loggerheads, Mike has a plan.

I think you should go ahead on your own

-and I'll go in afterwards.

-Yeah, OK.

That will be the best way. All the best.

-Good luck, kid.

-Fingers crossed.

Alex and her mates are topping up the tans

and reliving last night's drunken antics.

-I wet my knickers laughing.

-Knickers?!

-Yeah.

-What?

But Alex is about to get the shock of her life.

As mum Julia is approaching from the swimming pool's back gate.

-Hello, Alex.

-Oh, no!

You's all a bunch of wankers!

I have been watching the three of you, the pub crawl last night,

I've had a look around your room.

Well, what a waste of 1 euro 50 for a postcard!

-Mike is here as well.

-Oh, for fuck's sake.

When you did the pole dance, you looked good.

-Your face is back to normal now.

-No, you've been great, Alex.

We have enjoyed watching you.

I saw you going out,

playing that party game on the bar with a cocktail shaker.

-Damn!

-That was interesting.

I still don't understand how I didn't see you.

I really don't get that.

What was worrying me was with loads and loads of kids, all of you with

a lot to drink, and getting carried away with the partying.

If you saw me on the first night,

you should know I am very aware of the fact I've got a boyfriend.

You handled yourself really well.

And it's the first time you've been away on your own. Good for you.

-Yeah, I've had a good time.

-Great.

That's great. So, it was worth it, even with me appearing?

-Yeah, but I feel I can't shake you off!

-That's great.

Although the surprise went well for Julia,

step-dad Mike is disappointed by Alex's reaction.

She was OK with her mother, but as soon as you mention me,

her face changed.

I'm going to the bar out of the way.

Whether Mike's opinion of me has changed doesn't make a difference to me.

My opinion hasn't changed of him. I'm not going to speak to him.

I don't care that he is proud of me or anything.

It makes no difference.

As far as she's concerned, the situation is exactly the same as the day she left.

I said something positive before she said what she did.

Yes, but Mike, you can't change 10 years in a minute.

It's back to square one.

It will take a lot of work on both parts, the three of us

are going to have to work to have a better relationship with each other.

Sophie and her mates are in one of their favourite bars

-playing a risque game.

-Yes, yes!

Sophie has no idea her parents

Donna and Ray are on their way to surprise her.

Yeah, it's exciting and nerve wracking.

I can't wait to see her face.

As a Christian, I should be feeling guilty about sneaking around

behind Sophie's back and spying on her. It's been great fun.

To Sophie!

As a Christian mum, Sophie might say to me, hang on a minute,

where's the integrity in what you've been doing all week?

I can't wait to see her face.

As the drinking games are hotting up...

the parents have arrived and are hiding by the side door.

I'm really excited. I've got adrenaline pumping through my body as well.

I just want to get on with it and surprise her.

On the count of three, one, two, three.

Donna and Ray make their move.

Sophie! Sophie!

Come down!

No way! Claire!

No way!

Hello, Sophie. We have been watching your every move.

Every move. We saw your foam party, that looked all right.

We saw you binge drinking. That didn't look all right.

-Did you see that drink I took?

-We did, Sophie.

-Have you been at the Copse?

-Yes. That didn't look all right.

We were hiding in a hut. I had a blonde wig on and a straw hat.

Did you see me tip over? That wasn't safe.

I'm surprised at her response. She's a little bit in shock.

I don't think she is impressed or amused at the moment.

She has her head in her hands.

They are saying how proud they are of me, I can't look them in the eye.

I'm too shocked. I need to go home, remember what I've done,

and think have I been all right?

I think I've been all right. I wasn't bad, to be fair.

No, we didn't think you were either. We're proud of you.

You've got nothing to be ashamed of.

I thought you might understand and you would be furious.

I cried, when you organised that trip and I feel more

confident about uni now because you can be independent, can't you?

-You can sort yourself out.

-Yeah, but it's easier when you do it!

You are quite capable. Honestly.

The next day, Alex is still not ready to meet with stepdad Mike.

But mum Julia catches up with her for a heart to heart.

All I want is World War III to stop.

Because for years and years I've been piggy in the middle

and it really makes my life misery.

Mike is going to have to adjust his behaviour.

I'm going to have to adjust mine. You will have to adjust yours.

It just went from spending time... You used to stick around

from when Mike came on the scene to now.

We are all in our separate rooms.

I just feel like a stranger in my house.

I really am sorry if you felt like that.

We have 10, 11 years of a lot of closeness.

Well, that just doesn't go away.

Which is why I got so annoyed when Mike came on the scene and took it away.

I didn't realise I was shutting you out.

And I really didn't want to. That wasn't my intention.

Maybe we should think about you and I

having a weekend away or something together, the two of us.

That might be a start.

Yeah, that would be good.

-But not somewhere like the Strip!

-OK.

I was pleased when she said she wanted to spend more time with me.

I am sure if we do that we will be able to build our relationship so we are back to where it was.

I do really want to start over with Mum.

Let's forget the past and what's happened

and all the tenseness

and just go back to the beginning and remember the good times,

get a bit closer. It will be good, a good thing.

After a week of spying on Sophie, dad Ray is keen to make

a start on improving his relationship with his daughter.

What I was surprised was is how little you felt I was loving you.

That wasn't the way I saw it.

Do you sometimes...

I wind Dad up. I don't get any other reaction from you,

any affection, so me shouting and screaming is a cry for attention.

-Did you hear that?

-Yes.

-She wants it to come from you.

I was just answering that very question.

I wanted to make sure you realised what she had said to you.

It would be nice if you don't say I love you as being so forceful.

-The last time she said it, you just went, "Yeah".

-That's surprising.

Dad, I want it to come from you rather than me all the time.

I love you, Sophie. That's me first. I do love you.

Really. I may not say it as much as you want to hear, but I do.

Sophie wants me to be more expressive

and that's not necessarily in my nature.

On the other hand, I do love her. I just need to let her know it a bit more.

After this holiday, the way he's acted and he's not ashamed,

we have turned over a new leaf and it's starting again.

I feel when I go home it will be so fresh and we can laugh and joke about this experience.

And he will understand more about me.

Next time, the truth comes out about what went down and what happened next.

They were a metre away from me!

She was absolutely smashed.

What's the word? Masturbating.

Oh, God!

-Our lives are never going to be the same again.

-Never!

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