Spanish television presenter Belén Esteban could return to network Telecinco three years after leaving Mediaset, subject to agreeing to join reality show Gran Hermano VIP. The proposed TV comeback follows years away from the broadcaster's headquarters in Fuencarral, Madrid, following the cancellation of her long-running show Sálvame.
The potential reunion between the media personality and Mediaset España is reportedly closer than ever, but remains dependent on mutual concessions. Telecinco aims to capitalize on Esteban's renewed media coverage following a recent controversy involving Juls Janeiro.
According to television presenter Marta Riesco, speaking on the show El Sótano on channel TEN, Mediaset made participation in Gran Hermano VIP an indispensable condition for Esteban's return. Riesco reported that the network views her inclusion in the reality show as a required toll for rejoining the group.
Conditions for the Telecinco comeback
The proposed deal between Mediaset and Esteban also includes two high-profile interviews on the Telecinco prime-time programme ¡De viernes!. One appearance would take place in a recorded Scoop format, while the second would be a live interview conducted in the Telecinco studio.
If Esteban accepts the terms and completes the broadcast commitments, the network intends to reinstate her as a regular weekly collaborator. She would appear across multiple Telecinco programmes as a core panellist and contributor.
Esteban is already familiar with the Gran Hermano VIP format, having competed in and won the third edition of the show in 2015. That victory solidified her status as one of the most prominent media figures on Spanish television, earning her the nickname La Patrona de España.
Rise to fame and career background
Born on November 9, 1973, in Madrid, Esteban became a household name in Spain through her relationship with bullfighter Jesulín de Ubrique, whose real name is Jesús Janeiro Bazán. The couple had a daughter together, Andrea Janeiro, before their separation.
Following her separation from Ubrique, Esteban transitioned into television commentary and became a regular fixture in Spain's celebrity press and social chronicle programmes. She spent years as a lead panellist on the afternoon gossip show Sálvame, which became a cornerstone of Telecinco's daytime line-up until its abrupt cancellation.
Beyond her daily talk show appearances, Esteban co-hosted Telecinco's high-profile New Year's Eve bells broadcast, known as the campanadas de fin de año, in December 2009. Her broad appeal established her as a major pop culture phenomenon across Spain.
Commercial ventures and media expansion
In recent years, Esteban expanded her commercial interests beyond traditional television broadcasting. She launched her own food company, Sabores de la Esteban, which produces cold soups and gazpacho products sold nationwide in Spain.
She also adapted to digital media shifts by appearing on streaming platforms, including the online entertainment broadcast Quickie. Despite various public controversies over her career, Esteban remains a significant figure in Spanish entertainment news, generating continuous coverage both within Spain and abroad.
Should negotiations succeed, Esteban's return to Telecinco would mark her first regular role with Mediaset España since the media group ended Sálvame three years ago.
