A TORQUAY hotelier featured on TV's The Hotel Inspector is wading through booking inquiries after the show was watched by thousands of viewers on Thursday night.

Rachel Roffe, 55, opened her hotel Number Nine in Old Torwood Road to the scrutiny of award-winning hotelier Alex Polizzi of the Forte hotel dynasty.

Every inch of the hotel, from the books to the breakfasts, were looked at by Alex, granddaughter of hotel supremo Lord Forte and niece of Sir Rocco Forte, on the Channel Five show.

Rachel said: "I am still shell shocked after watching myself on the television for an hour.

"I was so nervous waiting to see the show and now I have, I am pleased with it.

"I was concerned that it may be a bit soppy but it is better than I thought it was going to be," she said.

Rachel opened her heart to Alex about the failed relationship that prompted her move to Torquay.

She told the presenter that she had been very lonely in her first months in the Bay, but life has been turned around thanks to the show.

Rachel said: "It is true that this hotel is a big place to knock around in on your own and it is difficult to get out and meet people when you are single.

"But since the show, I have met up with other hoteliers in the Bay and go out with them socially.

"I have even taken up dancing which means I can leave the cares of the hotel behind me for a few hours," she said.

Rachel has already started changes to the hotel and is determined to continue with Alex's advice.

She said: "I do not want to be anywhere else now. I love Torbay and the South West. It is a great place to be."

The show has been praised by tourism leaders for its good coverage of Torbay.

Georgina Bowen, tourism and marketing manager at the Torbay Development Agency, said: "The shots of Torbay were excellent and really showcased its beauty, the attractions and accommodation available here.

"I watch the show as a matter of course to see the competition and I think that this episode on Torbay was the best featured on the series so far," she said.