Jake Canuso, best known for his 11-year stint as the charismatic barman Mateo Castellanos in ITV's hit sitcom Benidorm, has undergone a significant transformation since leaving the show.
The actor, now 55, looks remarkably different from his days on the popular series, sporting longer hair, stubble and a more muscular physique.
During his time on Benidorm, which ran from 2007 to 2018, Canuso shared the screen with notable stars such as Crissy Rock, 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.
In a terrifying incident back in 2004, Canuso narrowly escaped death during the Indian Ocean tsunami 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!
Since then, he's expressed an interest in joining Strictly Come Dancing and also portrayed Alejandro, a pig farmer, in the film Fyre Rises, reports the Mirror.
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 expanded his talents beyond the realm of acting, making himself available for customised video shoutouts via the renowned celebrity engagement platform Cameo.
With an assortment of glowing five-star reviews under his belt, he advertises his offerings with the catchy phrase: "Mateo from Benidorm at your services."
Fans can get a personal video starting from £56, with the option for a speedy 24-hour delivery.
In a run-up to Valentine's Day last year, he took to his Instagram to entice followers with a tempting offer, proclaiming: "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."
Prior to gaining fame as the lovable barman Mateo in 'Benidorm,' Jake had an impressive 18-year career as a professional dancer. His dynamic performances saw him sharing stages with iconic artists such as Rozalla, the Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, and Elton John.
He also appeared in several music videos, including Alex Party's chart-topping '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.
His theatrical flair shone through in his pantomime roles, playing in Aladdin in Birmingham in 2014 and 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in Bradford the next year.
Meanwhile, his fellow 'Benidorm' cast members have taken on various ventures post-show, ranging from serving as an ASDA delivery driver to gracing the screen in acclaimed series like 'Ted Lasso'.
Buzz generated in April this year hinted at a potential revival of 'Benidorm', stirring excitement amongst fans eight years after its cancellation. The show has seen a powerful resurgence, especially on streaming giants such as Netflix.
