I’m the most famous person in Benidorm at 88 – I can’t walk down the street without someone stopping me

RETIRED shoe seller Derek Flynn is the life and sole of the party in Benidorm — after becoming a social media sensation at 88. The widower gets mobbed by fans and has women falling at his feet in the Spanish resort. Ian WhittakerDerek Flynn has become a social media sensation after a pal asked holidaymakers in Benidorm to keep an eye on the 88-year-old[/caption] It came after pal Nigel Hobdey posted on a Facebook group asking other holiday-makers to keep an eye on the dad of five, who lost wife Maevis two years ago. Robert De Niro lookalike Derek now needs a minder to get about unhindered but his only grumble is being tired from posing for more than 2,000 selfies. Derek, from Rhyl, North Wales, paid £1,200 for a 21-day break. He has no smartphone so is not able to track his rising stardom online. The Sun found him at Pueblo Benidorm Hotel, where he said: “I can’t walk down the street without someone stopping me. “It’s blown up. I’ve gone from nothing to massive. “I just went along with it at first thinking, ‘How the hell do they recognise me?’.” Tearing up, he added: “I came back to relive my memories with my wife. She passed away from natural causes and I miss her. “I’ve been all around the world but Benidorm is the best.” Derek, who lived in Australia for 20 years, says his favourite pastime has been singing Dean Martin songs at the resort’s bars. “My favourite song to sing is Little Ole Wine Drinker Me,” he said as he sipped a £1.50 pint of San Miguel bought by a fan. Holidaymaker Brenda Atherton, 69, who was drinking at Shooters bar, said: “We were dying to meet him. “He’s the most famous person in Benidorm.” Fan Mary, celebrating her 18th birthday, added: “He’s all over Instagram. He’s a legend.” Derek added: “The ladies start screaming my name and ask me if I want a drink. They even said I look like Robert De Niro.” Some want a date and Derek said: “I’ll be taking them up on the offer.” Amanda Garcia, 44, who works at the Pueblo where Derek is staying, said: “He’s a true gentleman. “My job has been to make sure he doesn’t get mobbed too much.” Pal Nigel, 61, who got Derek’s age wrong in his first message, said: “I just wanted to know he was being looked after. “After I posted a picture of him I got thousands of comments and it went from there. Now there’s hundreds of followers and pictures.” But Derek said he was not letting the fame go to his head, adding: “I’d never say no to a selfie. I’m having the time of my life.” Holiday makers have been looking out for Derek and posing for snaps[/caption] Pal Mark said he had been worried for Derek staying in Benidorm alone Derek has posed for more than 2,000 selfies as fellow guests flock to meet him Derek says he has been told he looks like film legend Robert de Niro[/caption] Ian WhittakerDerek posed for a picture with Sun reporter Scarlet Howes[/caption]