Benidorm's barman Mateo unrecognisable 21 years on from cheating death in tsunami
Jake Canuso played the role of barman Mateo Castellanos for 11 years in the ITV sitcom Benidorm.
For over a decade, from 2007 to 2018, he was the charismatic bartender in ITV's hit sitcom Benidorm. But actor Jake Canuso, now aged 55, has undergone quite a transformation since his days as the heartthrob Mateo Castellanos.
Jake shared the limelight with celebrities such as Crissy Rock – who has since opened up about her childhood sexual abuse ordeal – and other stars like Johnny Vegas, Steve Pemberton and Sherrie Hewson. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving character on the show, having featured in all 74 episodes.
Today, he sports a different look with longer hair and stubble, and it seems he's been hitting the gym. In a chilling incident back in 2004, Jake narrowly avoided death during the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day while vacationing in Ko Phra Thong, Thailand.
Upon noticing the initial waves, he sought refuge by climbing a tree but ended up submerged underwater when the tree broke. This terrifying ordeal resulted in him developing a fear of water, rendering him too scared to swim for several years, reports the Mirror.
A decade ago, Jake took part in ITV's diving programme Splash!, hosted by Tom Daley, according to OK!
. Since then, he's expressed a desire to join Strictly Come Dancing and also played Alejandro, a pig farmer, in the movie Fyre Rises.
Hollywood star and Spider-Man actor Eric Roberts co-starred in the film, which also boasted a line-up of British talent including EastEnders' Steven Beale actor Aaron Sidwell and Marc Bannerman, who portrayed Gianni di Marco in the soap.
Jake has recently expanded his talents beyond the acting world, now creating personalised videos for fans on the sought-after celebrity messaging service Cameo. He has accumulated a host of five-star ratings and advertises his offerings with the catchy phrase: "Mateo from Benidorm at your services."
The cost for one of his videos starts from £56, with the promise of delivery within 24 hours.
In a post last year that enticed his Instagram audience, he proposed: "It's nearly Valentine's Day. Last chance to get a cheeky Valentines message from Benidorm's Barman Mateo. Check out the link and if you book today all messages will be done by tomorrow."
Before finding fame in Benidorm, Jake had an extensive 18-year career as a professional dancer, sharing stages with legendary acts including Rozalla, the Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, and Elton John. His dance credentials extend to appearances in classic '90s music videos, among them Alex Party's hit 'Don't Give Me Your Life', Carter USM's 'Let's Get Tattoos', 2 Unlimited's 'Here I Go', and Kylie Minogue's 'Give Me Just A Little More Time'.
He has also shone on the pantomime scene, playing leading roles such as starring in 'Aladdin' in Birmingham in 2014 and featuring in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in Bradford the following year. Jake isn't the only Benidorm star to have branched out; his co-stars have pursued diverse paths from working as an ASDA delivery driver to acting in the series 'Ted Lasso'.
As of April this year, there's mounting speculation that Benidorm might make an anticipated return, eight years after being discontinued. With a resurgence of interest, especially on streaming sites like Netflix, Benidorm fans are hopeful for a revival.
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I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. Dejon Noel Williams NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! Tommy Bradley NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair Alima Gagio NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. Ben Holbrough NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. Helena Ford NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothé e Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. Blu Chegini NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! Shakira Khan NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. Harry Cooksley NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. Conor Phillips NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! Kyle Ashman - AXED NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I'd say I'd be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.
