Maria Gadea Aragüés with her mother Sticky Vicky, the legendary Benidorm performer who became an icon of the Costa Blanca nightlife.
Credit : Instagram – sticky_vicky_official
The curtain has fallen on one of Benidorm’s most notorious and unique shows, as Maria Gadea Aragüés, daughter of the late Sticky Vicky, has decided to call it a day.
Maria Gadea retires sticky Vicky’s iconic Benidorm show
Maria, who took over her mother’s X-rated magic show after Sticky Vicky (real name Victoria María Aragüés Gadea) passed away in 2023, has quit the act just two years later. Having performed in Benidorm for a decade, Maria had only recently stepped fully into her mother’s heels, continuing the infamous show that saw tourists flock to venues like the Palladium, Zodiaco, and Rockefellers.
Maria’s final show took place in November 2024, with no official reason given for her retirement. However, it’s been rumoured that dwindling audience numbers played a part.
Fans mourn end of sticky Vicky’s Benidorm show
Locals and tourists alike have been left stunned. Social media is awash with nostalgic tributes, calling it “the end of an era.” Regular visitor Paul, 51, from Ripon, shared, “It’s a sad loss for Benidorm. The Sticky Vicky show has been a staple here for years.”Other performers, such as Carmen Snake, have now stepped into the late-night entertainment slot once occupied by Sticky Vicky’s daughter.
Sticky Vicky’s legacy: How an iconic show shaped Benidorm’s nightlife
Sticky Vicky became a legend in Benidorm after moving there in 1980. A trained ballet dancer, her unconventional magic show drew millions over the decades, with daring stunts like pulling objects — from ping pong balls to light bulbs — from unexpected places.
Despite its risqué nature, Vicky always insisted on keeping her act elegant. “To do what I do, you must have delicacy. It is necessary to give it a touch of elegance,” she once said.
Following her mother’s passing and her own step back from the spotlight, Maria leaves behind a colourful chapter in Benidorm’s nightlife — one unlikely to be forgotten by generations of holidaymakers.
