Benidorm Creator Derren Litten Forced to Sell Luxury Spanish Villa Following Divorce
Derren Litten, the 55-year-old creator of the iconic ITV comedy Benidorm, has announced he is being compelled to sell his lavish Spanish villa, attributing the sale to what he describes as a 'shameless, career gold digger'. The four-bedroom Costa Blanca property, where Litten wrote the hit sitcom, is now on the market for £806,173 following his separation from actor Jake Canuso, who played greasy barman Mateo Castellanos in the show.
A Decade-Long Partnership Ends in 2024 Split
Litten and Canuso, 56, lived together in Spain for a full decade before their split in 2024. Their refurbished Mediterranean villa, set in tropical gardens adorned with palm and cocoa trees, features a large private pool with a covered terrace and a summer kitchen complete with barbecue and bar, directly connected to the main kitchen. The town of Alfaz del Pi is within a short walking distance, while the beaches and vibrant nightlife of Benidorm, the setting for Litten's sitcom, are just a 15-minute drive away.
On Wednesday, Litten took to X to announce the sale, sharing estate agent details and writing: 'Would you like to buy the house where I wrote the Benidorm TV series? I love this house but thanks to a shameless, career gold digger I have to sell. As the Spanish say, "No pasa nada!"'
Villa Features and Divorce Fallout
According to the estate agent's listing, the villa boasts a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, a large wardrobe wall, and direct access to the pool area. There is a spacious living room and a separate dining area, with two additional bedrooms near the entrance sharing a second bathroom. In the garden, a separate office space equipped with air conditioning could also serve as a fourth bedroom. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the five golf courses within a 10-minute radius, including Villaitana Golf with two 18-hole courses designed by PGA Tour legend Jack Nicklaus.
Reflecting on his divorce in 2024, Litten shared: '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?!'
Impact on Benidorm Revival Plans
The divorce has cast a shadow over potential plans to revive Benidorm, which ended in May 2018 after an 11-year run. A TV insider revealed last year that Canuso's character Mateo is considered integral to the show, stating: 'Mateo 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.'
Another source added to The Sun: '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 Mateo, which ITV get. It's all become one big headache.'
Just two months after the show's cancellation was confirmed, Benidorm won best comedy at the TV Choice Awards, with Litten using his acceptance speech to call out the decision. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Litten and Canuso for further comment on the ongoing situation.
