Derren Litten Accuses Estranged Husband Jake Canuso of Gold Digging in Spain as £1 Million Settlement Shakes Benidorm Legacy

Television fans still quote the jokes, replay the poolside chaos, and remember the outrageous antics at the Solana Resort.

But behind the sun-soaked comedy that made Benidorm a household name, a very different drama has been unfolding — and this one doesn’t come with a laugh track.

At the centre of it all is the show’s creator, Derren Litten, and his estranged husband Jake Canuso, the actor who played the unforgettable barman Mateo Castellanos.

What was once a creative and romantic partnership has spiralled into a bitter £1 million divorce battle — one that is now forcing Litten to sell the Spanish home where his biggest success was born.

The House Where the Magic Happened Is Now For Sale

Litten recently shocked fans by publicly listing his beloved Costa Blanca property for around €925,000 (roughly £800,000).

But it wasn’t just the price tag that grabbed attention — it was his caption.

In a pointed social media post, he invited buyers to purchase “the house where I wrote the Benidorm TV series,” adding that a “shameless, career gold digger” had left him with no choice but to sell.

The identity wasn’t hard to guess. Friends say the barb was clearly aimed at Canuso.

The villa itself is idyllic: a private pool, covered terrace, summer kitchen, bar area, spacious living and dining rooms, a master suite, two additional bedrooms, and even a garden office that could be converted into more living space.

It wasn’t just a property — it was their marital home for a decade and the creative hub where scripts were crafted, rewritten, and polished.

For Litten, selling it isn’t just financial — it’s emotional.

A £1 Million Settlement That Sparked Fury

Sources close to the former couple claim Litten must pay Canuso approximately £1 million as part of their divorce settlement.

While Litten has enjoyed considerable financial success, insiders say he feels “screwed over” and deeply resentful about the payout.

Friends describe him as “incandescent with rage,” openly venting to those around him. The divorce, which has dragged on for 18 months, appears far from amicable.

In a candid message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Litten admitted he had been “going through a pretty miserable divorce” and joked that he was now “poor.” The humour, however, barely disguised the strain.

Canuso, for his part, has remained publicly silent.

An Open Secret Behind the Scenes

Although their relationship was widely known among cast and crew, it was never officially promoted.

On set, strict instructions reportedly ensured journalists avoided discussing their marriage.

That was partly because of Canuso’s character. Mateo Castellanos was written as a flamboyant womaniser — constantly flirting, scheming, and landing himself in romantic chaos. Publicly highlighting the actor’s real-life marriage to the show’s creator may have blurred that illusion.

Privately, those who worked with them say they were very different personalities. Canuso — once a dancer who appeared on Top of the Pops — was seen as sociable and easygoing. Litten, by contrast, was described as meticulous and intensely focused, often rewriting scripts just hours before filming.

That perfectionism paid off.

From National Treasure to Sudden Axe

When Benidorm premiered in 2007, it quickly became one of ITV’s biggest comedy hits.

The ensemble cast included respected names such as Siobhan Finneran, Steve Pemberton, Sherrie Hewson, Tim Healy, and Johnny Vegas.

It won a National Television Award within a year of launching and picked up another in 2011.

For a while, it felt unstoppable.

But by 2018, ratings had dipped, critics argued the jokes weren’t landing as sharply, and ITV pulled the plug after ten seasons.

Litten reportedly struggled with the decision, feeling the network had ended the show prematurely.

The irony? The series still thrives in reruns and on streaming platforms, introducing it to new audiences long after its cancellation.

A BBC Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off

After ITV axed Benidorm, Litten moved to the BBC with a new comedy, Scarborough, starring Catherine Tyldesley and Jason Manford.

The project was widely seen as his attempt to prove he could succeed outside ITV.

Unfortunately, Scarborough lasted just one series before being cancelled.

Insiders say that setback hit hard.

Could Benidorm Ever Return?

Talk of a Benidorm revival has never truly faded.

Sherrie Hewson has teased the idea of a movie adaptation more than once, and ITV executives have reportedly been willing to hear pitches — cautiously.

But here’s the real issue: Mateo.

Canuso’s character is the only one to appear in all ten seasons.

He became the show’s most recognisable face.

Litten even named his real-life Benidorm bar “Mateos,” decorating it with memorabilia and hosting themed nights.

Now, with relations between the two men described as toxic, insiders believe a reunion involving Canuso is impossible.

And without Mateo? Many fans would argue it simply wouldn’t be the same show.

Impact and Consequences

The fallout stretches beyond personal heartbreak.

• The forced sale of a cherished family home
• A £1 million financial blow
• Strained professional relationships
• A major obstacle to any Benidorm revival
• Damage to a once tightly controlled public image

The divorce doesn’t just close a chapter in their relationship — it potentially shuts the door on future creative collaboration.

What’s Next?

Litten still owns and operates his Benidorm-themed bar, and the show’s continued streaming success keeps the brand alive.

ITV hasn’t ruled out revisiting the franchise, but executives would need a compelling new angle — and a cast dynamic that works.

Whether that can happen without Canuso remains the burning question.

As for the former couple, reconciliation appears unlikely.

Friends suggest the bitterness runs too deep.

Summary

A television partnership that once produced one of Britain’s most beloved holiday comedies has collapsed into a deeply personal and costly split.

The £1 million settlement, the sale of a treasured Spanish villa, and the breakdown of communication between creator and star have left Benidorm’s future hanging in the balance.

For fans, the laughter still lives on in reruns.

For Litten and Canuso, however, the curtain may have fallen for good.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Derren Litten is selling his Costa Blanca home for around €925,000 amid a bitter divorce
• He reportedly must pay Jake Canuso £1 million in a settlement
• The pair met while working on Benidorm and were together for over a decade
• Their split could jeopardise any potential revival of the ITV comedy
• Mateo Castellanos remains the show’s most iconic character
• Industry insiders say relations between the former couple are now toxic
• Without Canuso’s involvement, a comeback may struggle to win over fans