Latest news with #Splash!
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
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.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Benidorm's barman Mateo actor unrecognisable 21 years since cheating death
Benidorm's flirty barman, Mateo, was played by Jake Canuso for 11 years from 2007 to 2018 and is now unrecognisable from his time on the hit ITV sitcom set in Spain For 11 years, from 2007 to 2018, he was the charming barman in ITV's popular sitcom Benidorm. However, actor Jake Canuso, now 55, looks vastly different from his days as heartthrob Mateo Castellanos. Jake shared the screen with stars such as Crissy Rock – who has since revealed her childhood sexual abuse trauma – as well as Johnny Vegas, Steve Pemberton and Sherrie Hewson. He holds the record for being the longest-serving character on the show, having appeared in all 74 episodes. These days, he sports a new look with longer hair and stubble, and it appears he's been spending some time at the gym. In a harrowing incident back in 2004, Jake narrowly escaped death during the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day while holidaying in Ko Phra Thong, Thailand. After spotting the initial waves, he climbed a tree for safety but ended up trapped underwater when the tree snapped. This traumatic experience led to him developing aquaphobia, leaving him too frightened to swim for several years. A decade ago, Jake participated in ITV's diving show Splash!, hosted by Tom Daley, reports OK!. Since then, he's expressed an interest in joining Strictly Come Dancing and also portrayed Alejandro, a pig farmer, in the film Fyre Rises. Hollywood star and Spider-Man actor Eric Roberts co-starred in the film, which also featured a host of British talent including EastEnders ' Steven Beale actor Aaron Sidwell and Marc Bannerman, who played Gianni di Marco in the soap. Jake has recently branched out from acting, offering personalised videos on the popular celebrity messaging platform Cameo. He's garnered numerous five-star reviews and promotes his services with the tagline: "Mateo from Benidorm at your services." His videos start at £56 and can be delivered within 24 hours. Last year, he encouraged his Instagram followers to purchase a video, saying: "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 his breakout role in Benidorm, Jake was a professional dancer for 18 years, sharing the stage with big names like Rozalla, the Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, and Elton John. He also featured in music videos for Alex Party's hit 90s single 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's made a name for himself in pantomimes, starring in Aladdin in Birmingham in 2014 and Jack and the Beanstalk in Bradford the following year. Other Benidorm actors have pursued various roles and jobs, including working as an ASDA delivery driver and appearing in Ted Lasso. In April this year, it was rumoured that Benidorm could be making a huge comeback, eight years after it was axed. The sitcom is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly on streaming platforms like Netflix.
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside Gabby Logan's life off screen from family tragedy to husband's health battle
Gabby Logan has become a household name thanks to her presenting work, but away from the cameras she is also a devoted wife and parent alongside her famous husband. Gabby Logan is well-known to TV audiences, with her stellar career seeing her present some of the top sporting events globally, including the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, Great North Run, and the UEFA Euros. In addition to sports broadcasting, Gabby has hosted entertainment shows like Splash! and Flockstars. She's also been a guest on popular programmes such as Would I Lie To You? and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, set to air on Channel 4 come Sunday (4 May). Balancing her demanding TV and radio roles, Gabby is a dedicated mother to twins Reuben and Lois along with her husband, Kenny Logan, reports Wales Online. Who is Gabby Logan's husband? Gabby's husband, Kenny Logan, is a retired Scottish rugby union player. At 53, he boasts a career which included playing for Glasgow Warriors and Wasps RSC and representing Scotland on an international level. The sweet story of how Kenny and Gabby met echoes a fairytale; their paths crossed during a night out in Fulham, leading to Kenny being absolutely "dumbstruck" by and "incredibly excited" about meeting the acclaimed sports presenter. Kenny quickly fell head over heels, proposing a mere seven months into their relationship. Following a grand wedding in July 2000, they welcomed their twins in 2005 and now share a home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. What has Gabby Logan said about her marriage? Gabby has opened up before about her life with Kenny, sharing insights into how they handle disagreements and make sure to maintain strong communication within their relationship. "Sometimes there's going to be a player who needs picking up, and other times they're the star of the game, and it's someone else who needs the boost. With a marriage, it's the same: you're never walking along the same bit of road at the same time," she said. "We also never stop working at it. It isn't something you can just leave to be and hope it's all right in 15 years. It needs a bit of assessment," she had previously shared with Good Housekeeping Magazine. Kenny Logan's cancer battle Back in 2022, Gabby urged her husband Kenny to have a Well Man health check – a decision that turned crucial when it unexpectedly revealed his very early stage prostate cancer. It was strongly advised that Kenny should have his prostate completely removed to halt the spread of the cancer, leading to his undergoing a successful operation to do so. Discussing his diagnosis on BBC Breakfast at the time, Kenny laid bare the shock of discovering he had cancer despite "no symptoms". 'I got a wellness check and sat down with the guy, and he said, 'everything's fine, but your prostate is high'. I got checked and within three or four months I had a biopsy,' Kenny explained during his appearance on the programme. "In February this year, I was given the prostate cancer diagnosis, which was massively shocking. My choice was to have the prostate removed, and now I'm roughly 95% back to my normal self. When you find out you have cancer, it's staggering – it really knocked me for six. I hadn't noticed any symptoms at all. It required actively seeking it out." Gabby Logan's family tragedy Gabby has candidly spoken about her marriage and her experience with grief following the tragic loss of her brother Daniel, who passed away in 1992 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at just 15 years old. She was 19 when her brother died and has shared how she struggled with her grief during the first anniversary of his death while preparing for university exams. Eventually, she sought counselling. "I was running around running from my grief, probably, and then by the end of my first year at university, so just around the time of his first anniversary, I had some first year exams and it all kind of came crashing down," she revealed on the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gabby Logan's life away from the cameras including family tragedy and husband's cancer diagnosis
Gabby Logan has been a mainstay on our TV screens for years, but what do we know about her away from the cameras? Take a look... Gabby Logan has become a household name, gracing our television screens with her dynamic presence for many years. She's been at the helm of major sporting events coverage, including the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, the Great North Run, and the UEFA Euros. But Gabby isn't just about sports; she's also hosted entertainment shows like Splash! and Flockstars. Plus, she's participated in popular TV programmes such as Would I Lie To You? and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, which will air again on Channel 4 this coming Sunday (4 May). When she's not lighting up our TV and radio waves, Gabby juggles her role as a mother to twins Reuben and Lois, alongside her husband, Kenny Logan. Who is Gabby's husband? Kenny Logan is no stranger to the spotlight, having had a successful career as a Scottish international rugby union player. He's played for the Glasgow Warriors and Wasps RSC and has donned the Scotland jersey on the international stage. The couple's romance began during a night out in Fulham, where Kenny recalls being "dumbstruck" and "incredibly excited" upon meeting the famed sports presenter, reports Wales Online. Kenny popped the question seven months into their relationship, leading to a grand wedding ceremony in July 2000. By 2005, they welcomed their twins Reuben and Lois, and now the family enjoys life in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. What has Gabby said about her marriage? Gabby has opened up about her relationship with Kenny, sharing insights into how they navigate conflicts and make it a point to maintain regular communication. "Sometimes there's going to be a player who needs picking up, and other times they're the star of the game, and it's someone else who needs the boost. With a marriage, it's the same: you're never walking along the same bit of road at the same time. "We also never stop working at it. It isn't something you can just leave to be and hope it's all right in 15 years. It needs a bit of assessment," she previously told Good Housekeeping Magazine. Kenny's cancer battle In 2022, Gabby played a pivotal role by urging her spouse to get a Well Man health check, which led to the early detection of prostate cancer. Heeding medical advice, Kenny was recommended to have his prostate completely removed to halt the cancer's spread. He braved surgery with successful results. Kenny opened up about his unexpected diagnosis on BBC Breakfast, sharing how blindsided he was upon learning of his condition without any discernible symptoms prior. "I got a wellness check and sat down with the guy, and he said, 'everything's fine, but your prostate is high'. I got checked and within three or four months I had a biopsy," Kenny recounted on the show. "This year, in February, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was a huge shock. I decided to get it taken out, and I'm probably 95% back to normal. When you're told you've got cancer, I literally fell over. I didn't see it coming, no symptoms whatsoever. I had to go looking for it." Gabby's family heartbreak Gabby has candidly shared details about her marriage and opened up about the deep sorrow she faced after her brother Daniel passed away. At just 15, Daniel died in 1992 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. At 19, when Gabby was grappling with the loss of her brother, she faced the first anniversary of his death amidst university exam preparations, which led to an overwhelming struggle with her grief. She ultimately chose to seek counselling. Recounting her experience with bereavement on the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast, she revealed: "I was running around running from my grief, probably, and then by the end of my first year at university, so just around the time of his first anniversary, I had some first year exams and it all kind of came crashing down."
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style review – lidos, Speedos and atomic bombs
At the end of Splash!, the Design Museum's new exhibition on 'a century of swimming and style', there's a film about the haenyeo – women on the South Korean island of Jeju who for centuries have been diving for seafood and seaweed at depths up to 20 metres, holding their breath for up to three minutes, in almost all temperatures. It is seen through the eyes of a diver who has decided to follow her mother into this arduous and dangerous work because, she says, 'if you dive you don't feel depressed… There's no time to overthink everything.' It's an arresting 11 minutes of footage, giving a powerful sense of what is to be in water, the more so because it follows a jaunty parade of folly and fun, as well as some courage and some creepiness. The show is curated by Amber Butchart, the dress and design historian, who was raised in the Suffolk coastal town of Lowestoft and now lives in Margate, and who is best known for her appearances on BBC One's The Great British Sewing Bee, along with Tiya Dahyabhai of the Design Museum. Splash! aims to explore 'swimming's role in modern life' from the 1920s, when beach holidays and their associated outfits became more about active swimming than about passive bathing, to the present day. It's a big subject that can and does include a wide range of themes and exhibits. A poster by David Hockney uses his love of water pool patterns to promote the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. There's a model of the swoopy roofed Aquatics Centre that Zaha Hadid designed for the 2012 London Games; also a pair of diver Tom Daley's trunks and a jumper from the range he started producing after taking up knitting to relieve stress. A section on the design of lidos focuses on the triangular Jubilee Pool in Penzance, built in the 1930s and triumphantly brought back from dereliction and storm damage by a community-led effort. Butchart and her team want to explore the cultural and social aspects of swimming, including their dark sides, so they touch on the exclusion of Jews from swimming spots by the Nazis, and of Black Americans by segregation. There are copies of The Young Physique magazine from 1961 and 1962 – wonderfully blatant examples of gay soft porn masquerading as features about swimwear at a time when homosexuality was illegal. The exhibition talks about the links between sport and entertainment, such that the Olympic champion Johnny Weissmuller could become the star of the Tarzan movies. There's a pause for reflection on the bizarre psychology behind the naming of the bikini in 1946 by French fashion designer Louis Réard, after the Pacific island that was forcibly depopulated and then devastated by a nuclear bomb test. There is also the less famous Atome two-piece designed by Jacques Heim, also French, in the same year, a matter of months after the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The idea, says Butchart, was that it would be small like an atom but explosive in impact. 'It now seems incredibly bad taste,' she says. It's a show that is pleasingly unafraid to be thought woke. It includes designs for non-binary and disabled people; swimwear for anyone with unilateral mastectomy; and a one-piece by the Indigenous Australian designer Liandra Gaykamangu, inspired by her cultures and by 'the natural world'. The exhibition plinths are made of recycled and recyclable materials. Another film, Beyond the Blue, describes the efforts of an inner-city club, Swim Dem Crew, to overcome the low rates of involvement in swimming by people of colour. Most of all there's swimwear, displayed on mannequins and in cases around the exhibition. An unglamorous item in black and grey, with Margate Corporation emblazoned across its chest, baggy to suit different sizes, turns out to be a rental swimming costume from the 1920s. A section describes the evolution of Speedo briefs from the 1960s to the present. There's a red one-piece, possibly overhyped in the Design Museum's advance publicity, worn by Pamela Anderson in Baywatch. So the show is an engaging array of things to do with swimming, with revelations and surprises. It's presented with a bright and seasidey installation in blue and orange by ScottWhitbyStudio, the architecture firm that led the restoration of the Penzance pool, thematically divided into three locations of swimming – the indoor pool, lido and nature. The exhibition doesn't entirely overcome the pitfalls that go with such a broad sweep, which is that its exploration of some of the many big subjects it takes on can be (forgive me) shallow. And with due allowance for the fact that your architecture critic is not really the target audience for a show about briefs and bikinis, I'm not sure that they make the most compelling exhibits. Much swimwear, being designed to expose much of its wearer's body, can look paltry on its own. For these reasons, the most appealing items of clothing are those not directly designed for swimming but associated with it, such as a pair of silk beach pyjamas from the 1930s, with a bold deco pattern of red-edged black discs on white. It would have been good to see more pieces such as the show's first exhibit – a big, bold poster for the London and North Eastern Railway from the 1920s, which, with colours worthy of Matisse, sells the east coast as 'the drier side of Britain'. Or a fuller exploration of the world's many beautiful lidos and tidal pools. You want to be immersed in the subject, which is why the deep dive of the Korean film is such a welcome ending. Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style is at the Design Museum, London, until 17 August
