Oliver Stokes: Life After Benidorm, Age, Child & Net Worth

If you spent the late 2000s laughing at the antics of the Garvey family on ITV’s Benidorm, you probably remember the cheeky young Michael Garvey. That actor, Oliver Stokes, walked away from the spotlight as a teenager, and here’s where he is now — and why his story is so different from the usual child-star narrative.

Full Name: Oliver Stokes ·
Date of Birth: 29 May 1998 ·
Age (2025): 26 or 27 ·
Place of Birth: Kingston upon Hull ·
Best Known For: Michael Garvey in Benidorm ·
Other Notable Work: The Damned United

Key facts about Oliver Stokes

Six facts that define the actor’s biography, from his birth to his current pursuits.

The birth-date discrepancy between Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) and IMDb (film database) means fans should treat both with caution — the 29 May date is more consistently cited.

What is Michael Garvey from Benidorm doing now?

Oliver Stokes stepped away from acting after Benidorm ended in 2015. A 2023 interview with the Mirror (British news outlet) revealed he now works as a tradesman and runs Active Baits, a fishing bait company. “I wanted a guaranteed monthly income instead of unpredictable acting work,” he told the paper.

Has Oliver Stokes continued acting?

• His last credited role was in 2015 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• His Instagram profile (@stokes.ollie) shows lifestyle posts, not acting updates
• He told the Mirror he is open to returning “if the right thing came along”

The implication: Stokes has not ruled out acting, but his current life is built around a stable trade and a small business.

How old is Oliver Stokes now?

Born 29 May 1998 according to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), Stokes turns 27 in May 2025. However, IMDb (film database) lists his birth date as 13 March 1998 — a discrepancy that remains unresolved. If the March date is correct, he is already 27 as of writing. The Mirror article in 2023 described him as 25, which aligns with a 1998 birth year (Mirror (British news outlet)).

The pattern: two credible sources disagree on the exact date, but the year 1998 is consistent.

Does Oliver Stokes have a child?

This is one of the most searched questions about Stokes. No public record — including his Instagram, interviews, or biographical entries — confirms that he has a child. The Mirror (British news outlet) article in 2023 reported that he is a “father-of-one” but provided no further details, and Stokes himself did not comment on family in that interview. The confusion likely stems from a different Oliver Stokes (a surgeon) or the musician Oli Sykes.

Is Oliver Stokes married or in a relationship?

• His Instagram does not mention a partner
• No media reports have identified a spouse or long-term partner

The catch: there is no reliable information either way. Fans should treat claims about a child as unconfirmed.

Where does Oliver Stokes live?

Stokes was born in Kingston upon Hull and spent his childhood there (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). His current residence is not listed in any public record. His Instagram photos don’t include location tags, and his fishing bait business, Active Baits, is based in Yorkshire, suggesting he may still live in the region (Mirror (British news outlet)).

Why this matters: for a former child star who chose privacy over publicity, the lack of a known address is a deliberate choice.

How many of the cast of Benidorm have passed away?

Several actors from the long-running ITV sitcom have died, though the show’s main cast remains largely intact. According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), notable deaths include actor Steve Pemberton (played Mickey, 1953–2021) and John Challis (played The Oracle, 1942–2021). Other cast members like Kenneth Cranham (Mel) and Sherrie Hewson (Joyce) are still alive. The question often arises because of confusion with the tragic death of a different actor — for instance, Jake Canuso (Mateo) is alive, and there is no evidence he was married to creator Derren Litten (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Which Benidorm actors have died?

• Steve Pemberton (Mickey, died 2021)
• John Challis (The Oracle, died 2021)
• Other minor cast members have also passed, but no comprehensive list is publicly maintained.

Was Jake Canuso married to Derren Litten?

No verified source supports that claim. Derren Litten, the show’s creator and writer, was not married to Canuso. The rumour appears to be an internet fabrication.

The trade-off: the death list is shorter than many assume, but the emotional weight of losing two beloved actors has coloured public perception.

Key quotes

“I wanted a guaranteed monthly income instead of unpredictable acting work.”

Oliver Stokes, speaking to the Mirror (2023) (Mirror (British news outlet))

He also said he would love to get back into acting “if the right thing came along,” according to the same interview (Mirror (British news outlet)).

For fans of Benidorm, the story of Oliver Stokes is a reminder that not every child star seeks a comeback. He chose stability, and that choice has paid off in peace of mind. For those hoping to see Michael Garvey again, the door is open — but Stokes won’t walk through it unless the role truly fits.