Derren Litten, the acclaimed creator of the beloved ITV comedy series Benidorm, has publicly disclosed that he is being compelled to sell his luxurious Spanish villa in the wake of his divorce from actor Jake Canuso. The 55-year-old writer, who penned the iconic show from this very property, has now listed it on the market, marking a poignant end to a chapter of his life.
A Heartfelt Social Media Revelation
Taking to social media on Wednesday, Derren shared his emotional turmoil with fans, explicitly stating that he is being forced to sell his four-bedroom home "thanks to a shameless, career gold digger." While he did not name the individual directly, concerned followers have speculated it relates to his former partner. Accompanying his post was a link to the property listing, where he posed a poignant question: "Would you like to buy the house where I wrote the Benidorm TV series?"
He added, "I love this house but thanks to a shameless, career gold digger I have to sell. As the Spanish say, No pasa nada!" This candid outburst underscores the personal and financial strain he is experiencing. Representatives for both Derren and Jake have been contacted by Daily Mail for comment, though no official statements have been released yet.
Property Details and Market Listing
The stunning villa, located in Costa Blanca North, Alicante, is on the market for €925,000 (approximately £805,600). It boasts an impressive exterior featuring a large private pool with a covered terrace, a summer kitchen, and a bar area, perfect for entertaining. Inside, the property includes a spacious living room, a separate dining area, a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom, and two additional bedrooms at the front of the house.
Notably, the listing highlights a separate office space in the garden that could be converted into another bedroom, adding to its versatility. Derren and Jake, 56, lived together in this Spanish home for a decade before their split, which was revealed in 2024, making the sale a significant personal milestone.
Divorce Fallout and Financial Impact
Previously, in 2024, Derren opened up about his divorce, sharing on social media: "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." He humorously added, "So I'm obviously poor now. And you thought we couldn't have more in common then we already do?!" This lighthearted remark belies the serious financial repercussions he now faces, including the forced sale of his cherished home.
Implications for a Benidorm Revival
The divorce has also cast a shadow over reported plans to revive the Benidorm series, which originally aired from 2007 to 2018 and won best comedy at the TV Choice Awards shortly after its cancellation. A TV insider revealed that Jake's character, Mateo Castellano, was a lead star and fan favorite, making his potential absence a significant hurdle.
They explained, "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." Another source added to The Sun that negotiations are complicated, stating, "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."
This conflict highlights how personal disputes can impact professional projects, with fans eagerly awaiting a resolution. As Derren navigates this challenging period, the sale of his Spanish villa symbolizes not just a property transaction, but the end of an era both personally and creatively.
