Latest news with #Memmo
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Benidorm heartthrob looks unrecognisable after 'miserable' divorce
Rumoured plans for a Benidorm reboot have been reportedly put on hold following a relationship breakdown between creator Derren Litten and longest-running star Jake Canuso, who now looks very different from his character Almost 20 years on from his debut on one of Britain's most-loved sitcoms, Jake Canuso now looks very different from his days as Benidorm 's barman Matteo Castellanos. The star became a household name in the sun-soaked comedy when it launched on screens in 2007 before being brutally axed in 2018. Jake started out in showbiz as a professional dancer, working with the likes of Elton John and the Spice Girls before turning his hand to acting. Now, aged 55, seven years after appearing on screens, he's embracing his natural grey locks and stubble—worlds away from his days as clean-shaven Matteo, known for his jet-black slick-backed hair. Jake, a Swiss-British actor, was the longest-running cast member, starring for the comedy's entire run. Following the collapse of the show, he tried out pantomime, and in 2022, he appeared as Abanazar in Aladdin, which was staged 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 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. However it has since transpired that the pair were secretly married. And since their separation in 2023, an alleged Benidorm reboot is now reportedly off the cards after their relationship breakdown. 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 Sun they were unaware of any planned return for Benidorm. But he hasn't entirely waved goodbye to his alter-ego, as Jake has been offering paid personalised messages as Mateo via the video service Memmo. Promising 'Mateo from Benidorm at your services' on the platform, the star's videos start at £56 and are typically delivered within 24 hours. He also keeps his fans up to date on his Instagram account, sharing photos of gym selfies. In one image, where he showcased his grey hair and stubble for the first time, he left his 50k followers a cryptic message. He wrote: "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. "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 post, he shared an image of him getting dressed in a silk shirt for a costume fitting. One fan replied : "Just gorgeous" while another wrote: "very handsome".
Irish Independent
21-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Hotel review: Limerick's Adare Manor has luxury down to a tee – who doesn't want to watch TV in the bath?
Tiger Woods famously described Adare Manor's golf course as 'the Augusta of Europe', which is why it'll play host to the Ryder Cup in 2027 – and some 10,000 spectators per day. The castle backdrop will be beamed out to an audience of millions who will be none the wiser that Adare Manor is a rare example of a so-called calendar house, with 365 leaded windows, 52 ornate chimneys, 12 fireplaces, seven stone pillars and four towers, marking the days, weeks, months, days and seasons in a year. The Manor House as we see it today dates back to 1832, the seat of the Dunraven family who made their fortune in coal mining in south Wales. But a manor here was first recorded in the 13th century and changed hands between the FitzGerald and Quinn families, before Limerick businessman JP McManus snapped it up for an estimated €30 million in 2015. One 18-month and an estimated €70-€100 million renovation later, a star hotel was born. Imposter syndrome The sweeping avenue into the estate set the scene, and the glad rags I'd packed to wear for dinner were itching to be pressed. Although, had I arrived wearing a bin bag and carrying a valise of horsehair sacks, I'd have been received just as generously. Staff throughout my two-night stay, from check-in at the lavishly panelled reception desk to doormen and bartenders, were genial and ever-ready with historical nuggets about the property. High oak beams, marble fireplaces, fine art, silk wallpaper and gold leaf ceilings could all feel intimidating, but not here. Just add squishy sofas, candlelight, floristry and the aforementioned service, and the castle is homely and relaxed. Suite dreams – or stuff of nightmares? The original part of the castle comprises 62 guest rooms. I was in the tasteful, sensitively rendered 'West Wing' (42 rooms) which was completed in 2017 and joins the Manor by a covered walkway, literally bridging past and present. My pin-drop quiet suite overlooked the castle, its elegant colour scheme echoing its wall paintings of pastoral scenes and stern-looking aristocrats – chestnut brown, burnt gold, honey, caramel – in contrast with the lighter, brighter bedroom contemporary flock-patterned wallpaper. There were chandeliers throughout, a free mini bar and fruit basket, and a child's-play lighting system. The double doors into the glorious marble bathroom were a bit of a nuisance – but there was a TV at the foot of the bathtub, so who cares? And while Acqua di Parma is welcome in most bathrooms, it feels like a misstep on an estate where a recently extended retail outlet takes great care in championing Irish indie brands (Memmo fragrance, Moon + Mellow sleepwear, Linen Shirt Company, etc). ADVERTISEMENT On the doorstep Adare Manor is 'an acre short of Central Park', enthused the guide taking our small group on a horse-drawn tour of the estate, who also pointed out the Lebanese Cedar tree dating back to 1625, the Teddy sculpture by Patrick O'Brien and the 18th century oak tree below which the Quinn family buried their beloved furries. In the castle's swish spa, I was underwhelmed by my treatment, Coladh Samh/Sleep Sound, which whimsically includes cooling ogham stones and was designed to promote a sedative effect, but for me was ineffectual and felt gimmicky. I got greater benefits at the off-site Padel Club, a surprising modernist building, a vision in larch cladding. There I had the swimming pool, steam and sauna all to myself on my final morning, gazing out at trees while simmering blissfully in the infinity hydro pool (no, I didn't try padel. Too lazy). The wooded area between the castle and the club is apparently ripe for spotting red squirrels; alas no such sightings on my visit, though I did see, and hear the thrilling trills, of goldcrests overwintering in the shrubbery. Nor did I see the elusive otters while rambling along the River Maguire – but I was treated with seven swans giving a majestic flyby. Twice. Even better than watching TV in the bath. Fine dining – or dog's dinner? I breakfasted like a king in the showstopping Gallery, one of the longest rooms in Ireland at more than 40 metres long and nearly eight metres high, lavished with wall tapestries, high beams, decorative wood panels, huge fireplaces and stained glass windows. It's difficult to keep your gaze on the ritzy cold buffet and à la carte dishes. Adare Manor has Limerick's first Michelin-starred restaurant, The Oak Room, where tasting menus are exquisitely commandeered by Chef Michael Tweedle. Chances are the seasonal menu has already changed by the time you're reading this, but trust me that every bite is that most trite of critiques: a taste sensation, with many ingredients hand-foraged, certainly most sourced within Ireland. There are big flavours in the contemporary Clubhouse too, a short transfer or golf buggy ride away. But do leave gut space for Adare Manor's newest launch: Harry Lowe chocolates. One of the estate's quaint cottages has been transformed into a chocolatier, where guests can indulge their inner Willy Wonka sampling all manner of confections made in-house. My favourite? The uniquely smoky Madong 70pc Dark Chocolate Bar, and the miscellany of pralines. Conclusion Two nights, and I still didn't get time to try the in-house cinema, take a picnic, or watch an owl or falconry display. I headed home in a cloud of Memmo's seductive Irish Leather scent, which I doused myself in at the Adare shop before departure, and laden with Harry Lowe bonbons in the literal hope of taking a slice of Adare Manor home with me. A milestone stay here really is well worth the indecent public transport from the likes of north Dublin (four and a half hours!) if you don't have a designated driver, helicopter, or chauffeur.
