Adam Gillen: Life, Career, and Romance After Benidorm

For seven years, Liam Conroy’s one-liners and chaotic charm made Benidorm essential ITV viewing. Now, the actor behind the beloved character has swapped the Solana for the stage, a screenwriting desk, and a very public romance with his former co-star, and here’s what Adam Gillen is doing now, why Benidorm’s most awkward guest left, and the latest on his relationship with Laila Zaidi.

Born: 11 September 1985 ·
Place of birth: Manchester, England ·
Known for: Liam Conroy in Benidorm ·
Instagram followers: 35,000

Seven key facts, one pattern: despite a decade in the spotlight, most of Adam Gillen’s personal details remain tightly guarded — even as his professional footprint grows more diverse.

The implication: beyond his signature Benidorm role, Gillen has built a career that spans theatre, screenwriting, and live performance — but the public knows far more about his characters than about the man himself.

Are Adam Gillen and Laila Zaidi Still Together?

Who is Laila Zaidi?

Laila Zaidi is a British model and actress who played Cyd in Benidorm. She has a public profile with a Wikipedia page and a substantial social media following. Her professional work includes modelling and acting, though her most reported connection is her relationship with Adam Gillen.

How did they meet?

Gillen and Zaidi met on the set of Benidorm, where they played on-screen couple Liam and Cyd. According to a report from HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news and lifestyle outlet), their relationship was first reported publicly in 2018. The pair have since been seen on social media posting about holidays to Mauritius, New Year’s Eve festivities, and dog walks together.

What is the current status of their relationship?

There is no confirmed public information from a primary source about the current relationship status. However, multiple entertainment outlets — including HELLO! Magazine — reported that the couple announced their engagement in September 2023. Laila Zaidi posted on Instagram at the time: “A whole week of being a diiiirty flirttttyyy thirty FIANCÉ !!!!!!” as quoted by HELLO!. In May 2024, Zaidi also posted about a six-year anniversary, according to HELLO!.

The pattern: the couple keeps their relationship details private, but occasional social media posts and entertainment reports provide glimpses — always filtered through second-hand sources, never through an official statement from either Gillen or Zaidi.

What Is Adam Gillen Doing Now?

Adam Gillen’s recent stage work

Gillen appeared in the West End production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London from 23 September 2024 through 25 January 2025, as reported by Group Leisure & Travel (entertainment and travel news). This marked a significant return to live theatre after his Benidorm years.

His writing projects

According to his profile with David Higham Associates (literary and talent agency), Gillen works as a screenwriter and playwright. He is Olivier Award nominated, a credential that signals recognition from the industry’s top theatre honour.

Upcoming roles

No confirmed upcoming projects have been announced publicly. Gillen continues to be represented by David Higham Associates, indicating active development of new work across stage and screen.

What this means: Adam Gillen has transitioned from a TV regular to a multiformat creative professional, using West End credits and writing work to build a career beyond the one character that made him a household name.

Why Did Liam Leave Benidorm?

Liam’s exit storyline

Liam Conroy was a main character in Benidorm, appearing across multiple series. The character left in 2018 after series 10, according to HELLO! Magazine. In the series finale, Liam returned from Madrid and reunited with Kenneth, as described in a 2017 interview on I Talk Telly (TV interview and entertainment blog).

Actor’s departure from the show

Adam Gillen’s departure was due to storyline reasons rather than any off-screen controversy. Benidorm itself ended after series 10; the show’s creator confirmed that series 10 was the last TV series, as reported by HELLO! Magazine.

Fan reaction

Fans have continued to express nostalgia for Liam Conroy. A 2023 article in The Sun (British tabloid newspaper) noted that Gillen appeared “unrecognisable” compared with his Liam character because of a beard and changed appearance.

A 2025 report from Cool FM / Rayo (entertainment and music news) said Benidorm stars including Gillen reunited and shared a photo on social media in late August 2025, though that same report said no official ITV commissioning decision had been made for a new Benidorm series.

The catch: the character’s exit was tied to the show’s natural end, but Liam Conroy’s legacy lives on through persistent fan interest — and the lingering question of whether ITV might revisit the series.

Who Is Laila Zaidi?

Laila Zaidi’s background

Laila Zaidi is a British model and actress. She played Cyd in Benidorm opposite Adam Gillen’s Liam Conroy. Her professional work includes acting and modelling, but she has maintained a relatively low public profile outside of her Benidorm role.

Her public profile

Zaidi has a Wikipedia page and an active Instagram presence. She has posted about her relationship with Gillen, including engagement announcements and anniversary posts that have been picked up by entertainment outlets like Evoke (Irish entertainment news) and HELLO! Magazine.

Connection to Adam Gillen

The connection between Zaidi and Gillen is widely reported but not confirmed through a primary source from either party. The couple met on set, were first reported as a couple in 2018, announced an engagement in September 2023, and celebrated a six-year anniversary in May 2024, according to HELLO! Magazine. A 2026 report from Daily Mail (British tabloid newspaper) claimed the couple married at Hackney Town Hall and later had a second celebration in Seville — though this has not been independently confirmed.

The trade-off: the public gets glimpses of a private relationship through entertainment media, but without official confirmation, every detail remains speculative — and Zaidi herself remains a figure defined almost entirely by her connection to Gillen and Benidorm.

What Are Adam Gillen’s Most Notable Roles?

Benidorm as Liam Conroy

Gillen’s breakout and most famous role is Liam Conroy in Benidorm. He played the character across multiple series of the ITV comedy, becoming a fan favourite for his awkward mannerisms and comedic timing. According to Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia), this remains the role for which he is best known.

National Theatre Live: Amadeus

In 2017, Gillen starred in the National Theatre’s production of Amadeus, which was broadcast to cinemas worldwide as part of the National Theatre Live series. This role showcased his theatre credentials on an international scale.

4.3.2.1

Gillen appeared in the 2010 British crime thriller film 4.3.2.1, directed by Noel Clarke and Mark Davis. The film featured an ensemble cast including Emma Roberts, Tamsin Egerton, and Ophelia Lovibond.

Cabaret

Gillen’s most recent notable stage role was in Cabaret in the West End, running from September 2024 to January 2025. The production, staged at the Kit Kat Club, is one of London’s most prestigious theatre offerings.

The implication: from a TV comedy regular to Olivier-nominated stage performer, Gillen’s career shows deliberate breadth — but Benidorm remains the gravitational centre of his public identity.

Timeline: Adam Gillen’s Career and Personal Milestones

The following timeline charts key events in his life and career.

The pattern: Gillen’s career timeline shows steady progression from TV regular to theatre performer and writer, while his personal timeline — relationship, engagement, marriage — has been reported through entertainment media rather than official confirmation.

Clarity Check: What We Know and What We Don’t

Confirmed facts

• Born 11 September 1985 in Manchester, England (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
• Best known for playing Liam Conroy in Benidorm (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
• Olivier Award nominated actor (David Higham Associates (literary and talent agency))
• Represented by David Higham Associates (David Higham Associates (literary and talent agency))
• Appeared in Cabaret in the West End, Sep 2024 – Jan 2025 (Group Leisure & Travel (entertainment and travel news))

What’s unclear

• Current relationship status with Laila Zaidi
• Exact reason for leaving Benidorm (character exit vs actor choice)
• Height and net worth
• Whether the reported 2026 marriage is confirmed
• Education background

The effect: the gap between public professional record and private life forces readers to rely on secondary sources for personal details, making every claim about his relationship inherently provisional.

Quotes and Perspectives

“A whole week of being a diiiirty flirttttyyy thirty FIANCÉ !!!!!!”

— Laila Zaidi, quoted by HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news and lifestyle outlet)

Adam Gillen is a screenwriter, playwright, and Olivier nominated actor, whose recent work includes Cabaret in the West End.

— David Higham Associates (literary and talent agency)

The takeaway: Gillen’s public image is a mix of verified professional achievements and unverified personal reports, a split that defines his celebrity status.

For a deeper look into his personal and professional life, Adam Gillens biography and career offers a comprehensive overview of his career and relationship.

Frequently asked questions

Adam Gillen has built a respectable career beyond Benidorm, earning an Olivier nomination and a West End run in Cabaret. But for fans who still miss Liam Conroy’s awkward laugh, the question that remains is whether ITV will revisit the series — and if Gillen would return to the role that made him famous. For the actor himself, the choice is clear: continue building a diverse career on stage and screen, or risk being defined forever by one role from one resort.