Plans to bring back ITV Benidorm 'in crisis' after creator Derren Litten's 'miserable' divorce from show star
ITV Benidorm fans were delighted about the rumoured return but Derren Little's divorce from show legend Jake Caruso has reportedly caused issues.
Benidorm's return to screens has a spanner in the works due to a 'miserable' divorce between the show's creator and one of its biggest stars, according to reports. Fans were over the moon with the news that talks were ongoing to bring the iconic ITV show back.
But there's reportedly been a huge blow to the plan, after producer Derren Litten's 'miserable' divorce from Benidorm star Jake Caruso, who played fan favourite lothario, Matteo Castellanos.
The pair split in 2023 and tensions are said to be high between the former couple. They had lived together in the Spanish resort town, where they even opened a bar called Matteo's which would have guest appearances by Jake.
Benidorm aired for ten series from 2007 until 2018 and featured stars including Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran and Madge actress Sheila Reid. They all left before the end of the series, meaning the likes of Jake were vital to get the revival off the ground.
The programme was hugely popular with viewers, focusing on the intertwined lives of staff and guests at the fictional Solano Hotel, reports the Mirror.
Derren said 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 told 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.'
A spokesperson for Jake, who played lustful Matteo for the whole run of the show, told the publication they were unaware of any planned return for Benidorm and when former stars Oliver Stokes - Michael Garvey - and Hannah Hobley - Chantelle Garvey - appeared on Loose Women recently, they confirmed it's just "rumours".
Hannah kicked the show off saying she had received so much "love and support" over the rumours, adding: "At the moment, they are just rumours."
Another insider added: '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.'
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