Latest news with #Derren
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Benidorm star reveals show reboot update – and reason why ITV could DITCH it
A BENIDORM fan favourite has revealed fresh hope for a long-awaited reboot - but behind-the-scenes drama could see ITV pull the plug before it even gets off the ground. Benidorm fans were hoping for a reunion when rumours started flying back in April - and now show legend Advertisement 4 The Sun revealed the ITV show is set to return after eight years Credit: ITV 4 Sherrie Hewson shared that the scripts for the reboot are done Credit: ITV The actress, who played no-nonsense hotel boss Joyce Temple-Savage, revealed that fresh scripts for a brand-new season have already been written and handed to During an appearance at An Evening with Sherrie Hewson, she said: "I do know ITV have got new scripts and they love them and think they are wonderful. "The problem with Benidorm is that it's probably one of the most expensive shows ever because it's in Spain, we have a Spanish crew, we have a British crew, so it costs a fortune to make. "But it's on twice a day every day and those ratings are still as high as they ever were, so I think it will [return]." Advertisement more on benidorm Sherrie went on to claim that ITV bosses 'love the scripts' and revealed show creator 'So I don't think there's any question,' she teased. 'It's just when.' The Sun exclusively revealed But the return of the ITV comedy hit the rocks following a huge falling out between creator Derren Litten and the show's biggest star Advertisement Most read in TV The pair had quietly been a real life couple, and had been happily married for years, choosing to keep their relationship out of the spotlight. Living together in Benidorm, Derren even opened a bar called 'Matteo's' in the holiday hotspot which saw Jake often turn up for special guest appearances. I starred on Benidorm - here's how much I was really paid by ITV bosses and where the cast actually stay But the couple called time on their relationship at the end of 2022 - leading to one of the messiest divorces in TV history. They were finally granted a divorce in August 2024. Advertisement Derren took to Twitter and said: '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?!' Benidorm cast members Airing from 2007 to 2018, ITV sitcom Benidorm had a wide range of stars appear during its decade-long run The popular comedian played Geoff Maltby aka "The Oracle" Steve Pemberton: Writer, comedian and co-creator of Inside No. 9starred as Mick Garvey. Siobhan Finneran: Coronation Street and Downton Abbey actress Siobhan played the part of Janice Garvey. Crissy Rock: The Liverpudlian stand-up comedian played Janey Yorke. Tony Maudsley: Now known as George Shuttleworth on Coronation Street, Tony's Benidorm stint saw him portray Kenneth Du Beke. Sherrie Hewson: Another Corrie alum, the former Loose Women panellist had the role of Joyce Temple-Savage in Benidorm. Hannah Waddingham: Best known for playing Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, Hannah played Tonya Dyke in Benidorm. Danny Walters: Having later played ill-fated EastEnders hunk Keanu Taylor, Benidorm fans knew Danny as Tiger Dyke. John Challis: The late Only Fools and Horses actor, who played Boycie, had a stint in Benidorm as Monty Evans/Staines. Nathan Byron: Nathan had a recurring role in A source said: '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. Advertisement '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.' Benidorm has had a huge resurgence after Netflix bought the episodes from ITV. Another source said: '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. Advertisement '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.' A spokesperson for Jake insisted they were unaware of any planned return for Benidorm. 4 Jake and Derren went through a tough divorce last year Credit: Getty Advertisement 4 The former couple's split is said to have put a spanner in the works of a potential Benidorm reboot Credit: David Revenga
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Benidorm star teases 'laugh out loud' new series after comeback talks confirmed
A Benidorm actress has share some exciting news about a potential new series of the much-loved ITV comedy A much-loved Benidorm star has given fans a glimmer of hope about the return of the cult ITV comedy series. Launching in 2007, the show captivated audiences as it charted the hilarious escapades of Brits basking in the sunshine at the Solana Resort. Over its glittering run, Benidorm scooped up numerous accolades including BAFTAs and NTAs, securing its status as a viewer's delight. Despite an all-star cast featuring Sheridan Smith, Siobhan Finneran, and Johnny Vegas, the show came to an untimely end after 11 years in 2018, much to devotees' dismay. Whispers of a revival have been circulating, spurred on by hints from the cast and even creator Derren Litten himself, reports OK!. Sherrie Hewson, renowned for her portrayal of Joyce Temple-Savage, dropped a bombshell during her 'An Evening With Sherrie Hewson' on Sunday (July 6) in Barnsley. She revealed: "I do know ITV have got new scripts and they love them and think they are wonderful." Yet, she tempered expectations by stating: "The problem with Benidorm is that it's probably one of the most expensive shows ever because it's in Spain, we have a Spanish crew, we have a British crew, so it costs a fortune to make." Still, she remains optimistic, adding: "But it's on twice a day every day and those ratings are still as high as they ever were, so I think it will [return]." Fans loyal to Benidorm may just see their beloved characters gracing the screens once again thanks to ITV's apparent adoration for the new material presented to them. Sherrie hinted at good news: "And I think they [ITV bosses] love the scripts anyway and Derren said he laughed out loud when he wrote them so I don't think there's any question, it's just when." In other news, Benidorm creator Derren Litten had fans buzzing in April when he announced that he is in negotiations with ITV about a potential revival of the fan-favourite show. During a Facebook Live session reported by The Sun, Derren divulged some tantalising details: "Have I been talking to ITV in the last few months? Yes I have." He continued, giving fans a glimmer of hope: "Have ITV commissioned a special or a series at the moment? No. Might they in the next few weeks [or] couple of months? Yeah they might. They might." Derren concluded, aiming to uplift fans with anticipation: "So I hope that gives you [the fans] some hope, and I hope that gives you some idea of where we are," indicating that the beloved sitcom may soon return to the small screen.
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Benidorm cast now - co-star bitter divorce and career change to cancer tragedy
Plans for Benidorm to reportedly return to screens could be thwarted thanks to a 'miserable' split - but what have some of the stars of the iconic sitcom got up to since the show came to an end? The highly anticipated reboot of Benidorm has been thrown into doubt after the creator's tricky divorce from one of the show's biggest stars, it has been reported. Derren Litten was married to Jake Canuso, who plays Lothario Matteo in the ITV comedy, but their marriage ended in 2023. The relationship between them is said to be tense, seeing reports of a comeback now hanging in the balance. The sun-soaked hit comedy aired for 10 series from 2007 to 2008 with a beloved cast featuring the likes of Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Steve Pemberton and Siobhan Finneran. A Listers, including Dame Joan Collins and late Will and Grace star Leslie Jordan, also made surprise appearances. 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.' Another insider said: '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.' The majority of big-name stars left before the show was cancelled, so there are no guarantees as to who would make up the new lineup. So as reports swirl about the show's possible return, the Mirror takes a look at what became of some of Benidorm's most memorable stars… Danny Walters The 32-year-old actor, from Essex, played Tiger Dyke on the ITV sitcom from 2014 to 2017. However, Danny Walters made a big change when he left the comedy and joined BBC One soap opera EastEnders in the role of hunky Keanu Taylor. As part of the raucous Taylor clan, Keanu quickly became embroiled in chaos but his big storyline saw him begin an affair with Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) while dating her step-daughter Louise (Tilly Keeper) - later fathering a child with each of them. Danny remained on EastEnders until he quit in 2019, with Keanu's final scenes airing in early 2020. In a shock twist, Danny returned to the soap in December 2022. One year later his character was killed off on Christmas Day 2023 as part of the famous 'The Six' storyline which saw Linda Carter kill him during an altercation. Jake Canuso The longest-running Benidorm cast member, Italian-British actor and dancer Jake Canuso played Solana barman Mateo Castellanos across the comedy's entire run. Following the conclusion of Benidorm in 2018, Jake joined several other cast members in Derren Little's Benidorm Live stage show, which toured the UK from September 2018 until April 2019 for 250 shows. After the end of his run with Benidorm, Jake collaborated once more with Derren on his BBC One sitcom Scarborough, playing the role of Tony Peroni in the 2019 series. Jake is currently offering paid personalised messages as Mateo via the video service Memmo. A spokesperson for Jake told The Sun they were unaware of any planned return for Benidorm. Sheila Reid Loveable Madge Harvey was played by Sheila Reid across the first six series of Benidorm, returning for a recurring role in the seventh run and a guest stint in the eighth series in 2016. Since leaving Benidorm, Sheila has appeared in Channel 4 sci-fi drama Humans in 2018 as Iris, along with a role in BBC's The Cleaner series three in 2024. In 2018, Sheila also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Troilus and Cressida. Sherrie Hewson Sherrie Hewson is best known to UK viewers for her soap opera roles in Coronation Street, Crossroads, and Emmerdale, but also for her role as a panellist on Loose Women from 2003 to 2017. In 2013, Sherrie joined Benidorm in its fifth series in the role of Joyce Temple-Savage, the new manager of the Solana Hotel. Sherrie remained a staple cast member until the show's cancellation following its tenth run. In 2020, Sherrie appeared on Loose Women to discuss her decision to undergo a facelift cosmetic procedure. She revealed: "I'm not stupid, I know how old I am I've got wrinkles, I just wanted to have some plumpness back and made me feel a bit better about myself. It's made me feel like I can look in the mirror." In 2024, Sherrie, 74, joined the cast of Hollyoaks as the character Martha Blake. Speaking of the reports of a Benidorm revival, the actress said on Best's Suddenly Single podcast: "There is this thing that it's coming back though, and I keep that alive. It is now a possibility. That would be wonderful because we all miss it desperately." Get our breaking news alerts straight to your WhatsApp Join the Mirror's WhatsApp community today for the latest breaking news, our agenda-setting exclusives and top headlines straight to your phone. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Community' and you're in! No one will be able to see who's receiving our broadcasts and no one else can send messages except for the Mirror team. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Oliver Stokes Oliver played the role of cheeky Michael Garvey in the first seven series of Benidorm from 2007 to 2015. Following his departure from Benidorm, Oliver went on to have a role in two episodes of Casualty as Sean McKern in 2017. Since taking a less active role in the entertainment industry, Oliver works as a successful tradesman and can now be seen on Instagram posting proud photos of his little baby son and showing off his passion for fishing. Explaining his career shift, he told the Mirror: 'It got to a point where I just thought I wanted an income every month guaranteed, instead of not knowing when your next job is going to come. I'd love to get back into the future if the right thing came about but who knows?' Hannah Hobley 36-year-old actress Hannah Hobley played teen Chantelle Garvey in the first three series of Benidorm from 2007 to 2009, memorably becoming a young mother in the series. Since departing Benidorm, Hannah has taken on theatre roles, including roles in stage productions of Sleeping Beauty and Dick Whittington. Hannah is very active on social media, including Instagram and TikTok, and can often be seen producing amusing content. Over on Instagram, mum-of-one Hannah often shares throwback snaps to her time on Benidorm as part of the Garvey clan. Kenny Ireland Scottish actor and theatre director Kenny Ireland played the popular role of Donald Stewart on Benidorm from its inception until his death at the age of 68 in 2014. Kenny's brain cancer diagnosis was announced a month prior to his death in July 2014, with his final episodes of Benidorm being in the sixth series. Derren Little penned at the time on Twitter: "Terribly sad news guys. Kenny Ireland lost his very long battle with cancer this morning. Miss you so much already dear friend. X". The character of Donald was subsequently killed off and mourned on-screen in the show's eighth run. Asa Elliot British actor and singer Asa Elliot appeared as himself on Benidorm from 2010 until 2014 and later joined Benidorm Live following the show's end. In 2018, Asa also appeared and sang in PBS' Doo Wop Generations, performing Those Magic Changes. In 2020, Asa revealed that he had been singing on cruise ships until the Covid pandemic disrupted his work. He then took up work as an Asda delivery driver to supplement his income in these difficult times. Asa told BBC Look North of the impact of the pandemic on the entertainment industry, according to The List:"It's really hit us completely. We still don't know when we're going back to work." He added of his time as a delivery driver: "I've only encountered a few 'Benidorm' fans. I delivered to a lady on Hornsea the other day and she was very star-struck." Tony Maudsley English actor Tony Maudsley is best known for his role as hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke on Benidorm, a role he played from 2011 until the show's end in 2018. Tony, 57, also reprised the role of Kenneth for the Benidorm Live run from 2018 to 2019. Since the end of the sitcom, he has appeared as Spearman in the BBC Two Cold War drama series Summer of Rockets and then later landed the humorous role of funeral director George Shuttleworth in Coronation Street in 2020 and has remained a staple on the soap since his introduction. In 2024 he appeared in a celebrity special of The Chase and opened up on the unexpected nerves he felt. 'The minute I said yes to going on The Chase, the nerves started to kick in. Faced with a ticking clock, a chance to win big for charity and a studio audience, the pressure and my nerves went through the roof!,' he told the Daily Star. Johnny Vegas Comic legend Johnny Vegas appeared in the first three series of Benidorm as Geoff Maltby aka "The Oracle", returning to reprise his role in the seventh to ninth series from 2014 to 2017. Since leaving Benidorm, Johnny has appeared as a regular panellist on BBC quiz show QI and also on the celebrity edition of Gogglebox, along with voicing the character of Asbo in 2018 Aardman Animations film Early Man. Johnny has also made guest appearances on other comedy shows such as the sitcom Red Dwarf and game show Taskmaster. He is also set to appear in Johnny Vegas' Little Shop Of Antiques where he 'investigates, hunts and repairs pieces to add to his collection'. Siobhan Finneran Former Downton Abbey actress Siobhan Finneran played Janice Garvey on Benidorm from 2007 until the show's seventh run in 2015. She and Steve Pemberton announced their decision to leave the show during Benidorm's sixth series, with Siobhan explaining to What's on TV at the time: 'We were in a terrible state. It was our decision to stop, but it was still heartbreaking. A lot of guest stars – brilliant people like David Bradley – have said it's a treat of a job, and they're right.' She added: 'So it was really, really upsetting to say goodbye to the cast and crew. You know you're not going to work with them ever again. Then to come home and think, 'Blimey, we've actually done it', is quite something.' Since leaving Benidorm, Siobhan has appeared as Clare Cartwright in gritty BBC One crime drama Happy Valley, appeared in the crime drama The Moorside based on the disappearance of Shannon Matthews, the BBC comedy series The Other One, and last year appeared in hit Netflix thriller The Stranger. She's currently back on our screen's in ITV's gritty cop thriller, Protection. Steve Pemberton Leaving Benidorm at the same time as Siobhan was her on-screen husband, celebrated The League of Gentleman star Steve Pemberton, who played Mick Garvey on the show from 2007 until 2015. Since departing Benidorm, Steve has continued appearing on comedy anthology series Inside No. 9, appeared in Amazon Prime Video fantasy series Good Omens, played Mr Braithwaite in Worzel Gummidge, and joined the cast of Killing Eve season 3 as the slippery Paul. He also appeared on the most recent series of Taskmaster. In 2019, Steve won a television BAFTA award for Best Male Comedy Performance for his work on Inside No. 9.
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside the real-life scandal of Benidorm as ITV show return is 'in crisis'
Reports have suggested the return of legendary ITV sitcom Benidorm could be scuppered by a 'messy' break-up involving the show's creator and one of its most popular stars Fans of hit ITV comedy Benidorm were delighted earlier this year when rumours suggested the iconic show was close to returning. Written by Derren Litten, the sitcom following holidaymakers at the Solana all-inclusive resort had been brutally axed from our TV screens back in 2018. But rumours of a rift could scupper negotiations to bring back one of the show's biggest stars. Jake Canuso, who played randy barman Matteo, was married to Derren, but they divorced in 2024 and the creator has now spoken out on X. Derren said: "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?!" Offscreen, it's been 70 years since the first UK travellers touched down for an all singing, all dancing package holiday in the Spanish sunshine. And while recent protesters across the Spanish islands have called for tourists to go home - blaming them for the rising cost of housing and goods, for water shortages and even climate change - Benidorm still welcomes tourists with open arms. Holidaymakers travelling to the Spanish islands like Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, were faced with anti-tourism protests last summer. On the mainland in Barcelona, protestors were seen squirting tourists using water pistols in the popular Las Ramblas region, chanting "tourists go home". The city's mayor, Jaume Collboni, renewed his "firm commitment" to eliminating Airbnb style short-term rentals in the city within five years. His words would have had another famous Spanish mayor, Pedro Zaragoza, turning in his grave. Appointed Mayor of Benidorm in 1950, his appointment saw the resort transformed from a fishing village into the tourist mecca we know today. And while the first Brits taking a package holiday to Spain in 1954 went to the Costa Brava, it was soon Benidorm, in the province of Alicante, that had them visiting in droves. To achieve his dream, Pedro won over Spain's fascist dictator General Franco and went up against the strict morals of the Catholic Church - nearly getting excommunicated in the process. In one of the last interviews before his death, aged 85, in 2008, he said: "I remember we unveiled a plaque saying, 'You live from your dreams', and it's still there today." A former railway porter, when he was first elected, Benidorm - which now has 461 hotels, according to Tripadvisor - was a sleepy fishing town, still bringing in supplies by mule. Pedro's first move towards remodelling it as a resort, entailed persuading the town's influential people to pipe in a water supply from 10 miles away. He said: "People didn't think it would happen. But then the first drops came out of one of the fountains and people began to believe in me." With his thick white moustache, receding hairline and dark coloured spectacles, Pedro looked something of an unlikely influencer. But his plans to transform Benidorm into a "Sun and Beach" destination for those living in cooler European climes was visionary. His next move, in 1953, was to issue a public order that women could wear bikinis on the beach, making Benidorm the first Spanish town to break that tourism taboo. Scandal erupted, with the outraged Catholic Church and others calling for the mayor to be excommunicated. "When I issued a decree to allow the bikini to be worn within the town limits of Benidorm, this caused a big scandal across the whole of Spain," he said. "Two ministers called for me to be sacked and the Bishop of Valencia began the process of excommunicating me, which in those days was a very serious business and would have meant I would lose any rights over my daughter and would have been barred from any jobs in public office." Fed up with the flak he was getting, Pedro - who stayed in office until 1967 - woke one morning before dawn and set off on his trusty green Vespa scooter for a 500 km round trip to Madrid, to see the ruthless Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, and explain his bikini predicament. "I reached Madrid mid-morning and went to the palace to see Franco," he said. "He received me and I explained what was going on. I said: 'General, this is like trying to stop the Ebro river. It is a waste of time to fight what is going on in the world '. "And then I stressed to him that along with the bikini decree, I had issued an order banning any dirty comments, zero tolerance. Showing your belly button, fine. An elegant comment like 'what a beautiful figure' fine, but no dirty comments. Franco understood my argument and said 'Go home, relax and if you get any more problems let me know'." Pedro also encouraged the building of high-rise properties, feeling it helped more people to see the beaches and feel the sea air. According to Keith Betton, from that point on, Benidorm's marketing to Brits - then novices as far as foreign travel was concerned - was "genius". "I think early tourists were nervous that what they were going to experience was going to make them feel more 'outside' than 'inside' the holiday," he says. "I know the first time my parents went to Spain they worried about the food, the currency, the language and driving on the other side of the road. "But Benidorm very quickly managed to persuade people that 'yeah, lots of people here speak English, and we will happily serve bacon and eggs, and it'll be very, very good value for money and very cheap!'" In post-war Britain, the government placed restrictions on the amount of money holidaymakers could take out of the country - a rule that was scrapped in the late 1970s. Now dubbed the "Spanish Las Vegas" because of its non-stop entertainment and "Spain's Manhattan" because of its soaring skyscrapers, it is a sun, sea and sangria lover's paradise. According to Keith Betton, who for 20 years was spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), it will take a lot more than a rash of protests to end the romance between Benidorm and Brits. Even reports of a killer virus known as Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever running rampant in Spain didn't deter Brits last summer, says Keith. He adds: "I don't believe that this recent rash of stories about Brits not being very welcome in Spain and all the medical scare stories are going to have any impact on holidaymakers going to Spain and places like Benidorm." With more than 18 million Brits going to Spain last year, he is probably right. Today, with its 5 kilometres of coastline, endless sandy beaches, 60 plus skyscrapers - around 30 of which are over 100 metres high - one of the best climates in the Mediterranean, and opportunities for non-stop fun, Benidorm looks likely to remain the favourite destination for British tourists for many years to come. Keith - who appeared more than 1,000 times on TV talking about travel news and changes during his two decades at ABTA - adds: "Whether it is backed up by fact or imagination, the truth is that Spain will always be the number one package holiday destination where people go for their week or two weeks in the sun, because it's close to home, it's got good sunshine, people there generally speak English and it's usually very tourist friendly. "The only real challenge I can see down the line could be if the summers in the UK get warmer as predicted, and places in the Med become too hot, as predicted. Then people might just decide 'I don't need to go to Spain now to get a nice suntan, I can just go to the beach at home'."
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Benidorm return 'in crisis' after Derren Litten's divorce from star Jake Canuso
As rumours about a new series of much-loved comedy Benidorm continue, it has been reported that Derren Litten and Jake Canuso's separation is adding extra complications The return of iconic show Benidorm has been thrown into crisis after creator Derren Litten 'miserable' divorce from the show's biggest star Jake Canuso, it has been claimed. The couple called it quits in 2023 and things are between the producer and the actor - Lothario Matteo in the ITV comedy - are said to be tense. With talks about a return of the much-loved programme still possible, the news comes as a hammer blow to fans. Benidorm aired for ten series from 2007 until 2018. The show focuses on an all-inclusive hotel in Spain where the same family holiday each year. It featured the likes of Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran and icid-tongued force of nature Madge, played brilliantly by veteran Sheila Reid. All left before the final series, throwing a return for any of the big names into doubt. That means stars like long-serving Jake were key to getting a revival off the ground, but the situation between the slippery barman and creator Derren makes things difficult, it has been reported. The pair officially divorced last year after living together in Benidorm. They even opened a bar called 'Matteo's' where Jake would turn up for guest appearances. 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.' Another insider said: '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.' A spokesperson for Jake told the publication they were unaware of any planned return for Benidorm. But all-grown-up Oliver Stokes - who played Michael Garvey since the first show - recently appeared on Loose Women, alongside Hannah Hobley, who played mum-to-Coolio Chantelle. Oliver was looked after by his grandparents while on set in Benidorm playing the cheeky youngster who ran amok around the Solana Hotel pool. "I had to do a minimum of three hours of schooling a day, which was an absolute bonus," he joked. "But in a way, it wasn't really the best because I didn't really pay attention or do much work. Oh well, it was an experience." Oliver has now taken a step back from acting and works as a successful tradesman, explaining, "It got to a point where I just thought I wanted an income every month guaranteed, instead of not knowing when your next job is going to come. "I'd love to get back into the future if the right thing came about but who knows?" Aside from keeping busy with his toddler Archie, he is also an avid fisherman and runs a fish bait company called Active Baits. Hannah began by saying the show had received so much "love and support" over the rumours, adding: "At the moment, they are just rumours." The studio audience broke out into a chorus of disappointed sighs, with Charlene then revealing she had a statement from ITV regarding the return of Benidorm in the future. "ITV say, 'We've spoken to one of our sources over here and there's nothing commissioned yet, but we'll keep our fingers crossed'," she announced, giving everyone some hope.
