Derren Litten Forced to Sell Luxury Villa

This is the luxury Spanish villa that Benidorm creator Derren Litten says he's being forced to sell thanks to a ‘shameless, career gold digger'.

Litten, 55, wrote the iconic comedy from the four-bed Costa Blanca home that he's put the property on the market following his separation from the show's heartthrob actor, Jake Canuso.

He and Canuso, 56, who plays the role of greasy barman Mateo Castellanos in the show, lived together in for a decade before their split in 2024.

Their refurbished Mediterranean villa - on sale for £806,173 - is set in tropical gardens with palm and cocoa trees and has a large private pool with covered terrace and a summer kitchen with barbecue and bar, directly connected to the kitchen.

The town of Alfaz del Pi is a short walk away while the beaches and nightlife of Benidorm, where Litten’s hit sitcom is set, are just a 15-minutes drive.

Litten announced the sale on Wednesday on X, sharing the estate agent details to the property and wrote: '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!"’

According to the estate agent’s listing the villa’s master bedroom has 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. Two additional bedrooms are located near the entrance and share the second bathroom.

In the garden, there is a separate office space, equipped with air conditioning, that could also be used as a fourth bedroom.

There are five golf courses within 10 minutes, including Villaitana Golf with two 18-hole courses designed by PGA Tour legend Jack Nicklaus.

Speaking about 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?!'

Last year, a TV insider revealed how plans to revive Benidorm could be difficult as Canuso’s character Mateo was a lead star.

They said: '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.

'Jake created one of the show’s most loved characters in Mateo, but with everything that’s happened between him and Derren, it’s not looking good.'

Another 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.'

Benidorm began in 2007 but came to an end in May 2018, and fans have been begging for more ever since.

Just two months after its cancellation was confirmed, the show won best comedy at TV Choice Awards - with Litten calling out the decision in his acceptance speech at the time.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Litten and Canuso for comment.