Benidorm heartthrob Jake Canuso looks unrecognisable now post 'miserable' split

Edinburgh Live

4 days ago

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Nearly two decades after his debut on one of Britain's most cherished sitcoms, Jake Canuso now appears quite different from his days as Benidorm's bartender Matteo Castellanos.
The actor became a familiar face in the sun-drenched comedy when it premiered in 2007, only to be abruptly cancelled in 2018. Jake began his career in entertainment as a professional dancer, collaborating with the likes of Elton John and the Spice Girls before transitioning to acting.
Now, at 55, seven years after first appearing on screens, he's sporting his natural grey hair and stubble—a far cry from his days as the clean-shaven Matteo, known for his jet-black slicked-back hair. Jake, a Swiss-British actor, was the longest-serving cast member, featuring throughout the comedy's entire run.
READ MORE - UK Foreign Office issues travel warning to tourists going to Spain, Turkey and Greece
READ MORE - Edinburgh Princes Street locked down by police as forensic tent and cordon erected
After the show ended, he ventured into pantomime, and in 2022, he played Abanazar in Aladdin, performed at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre. Jake also joined several other cast members in creator Derren Litten's Benidorm Live stage show, which toured the UK from September 2018 until April 2019 for 250 performances.
(Image: Getty Images)
Following his stint with Benidorm, Jake once again teamed up with Derren on his BBC One sitcom Scarborough, taking on the role of Tony Peroni in the 2019 series. However, it has since emerged that the pair were secretly married, reports the Mirror.
And following their split in 2023, a rumoured Benidorm reboot is now reportedly off the table due to their relationship breakdown.
Derren explained on X last year: "I don't really talk about my personal life here but the reason I've been a bit scarce on the socials is for the last 18 months I've been going through a pretty miserable divorce. So I'm obviously poor now. And you thought we couldn't have more in common then we already do? !".
A source revealed to The Sun: "Matteo is Benidorm, he's the character that everyone wants to see. He's been part of the Solana since the beginning so for him not to feature in any future reboot, well it just would not be the same without him. Jake created one of the show's most loved characters in Matteo but with everything that's happened between him and Derren, it's not looking good."
Another informed source commented: "Conversations have been had. The only way Jake will return is if ITV make him a huge offer, one that he could not possibly turn down. But obviously Derren is making negotiations difficult. He is the writer and creator and believes that he should make all the decisions - the fans would want to see Matteo, which ITV get. It's all become one big headache."
Meanwhile, Jake's spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that they didn't know anything about a potential Benidorm comeback. Nonetheless, Jake hasn't completely said farewell to Mateo — he's been keeping the character alive by offering personalised video shout-outs as Mateo on the platform Memmo.
For a fee starting at £56, the star offers bespoke videos, typically delivered within 24 hours, under the guise of "Mateo from Benidorm at your services". He also maintains an active presence on Instagram, where he shares updates, including gym selfies, with his 50,000-strong following.
One recent post, in which he debuted his grey hair and stubble, was accompanied by a contemplative message. He penned: "I started to imagine my life like a new book with empty pages. Waiting to be written by myself. But it takes courage to open that new book, see the first page empty, take a pen in your hand and fearlessly let the pen write the first few words."
He continued, "But before you know the page fills up and you turn to the next page not knowing what you will find but you know it is your book and your pen. It is your life, that you will write."
In another update, he shared a photo of himself getting ready for a costume fitting, donning a stylish silk shirt. Fans were quick to compliment him, with one commenting: "Just gorgeous" and another adding: "very handsome".