"I'm at a point in my life where I no longer knock on many doors"

On his shoulders have rested the most successful television shows in Spain. Yet, there were still formats he hadn't tried. Presenter Jesús Vázquez (Ferrol, A Coruña, 59 years old) returns to Telecinco with 'The Night of Records' (Wednesday, at 11:00 PM), where over a hundred hopefuls will attempt to enter the legendary Guinness World Records Book.

–What was your first thought when you were asked to bring back 'The Night of Records'?

–I thought: "Look, Jesús, just when you think you've hosted everything, a show you never imagined comes your way." It seemed like a challenge because we do it outside of Spain with a primarily Italian team, at Mediaset Italia, on a large set with some gigantic and very complex structures that take a long time to set up and take down. But I also really enjoyed leaving Spain. It had been a long time since I worked abroad. Italy is a country I love, and it also allowed me to travel and revisit places I already knew, and then improve my Italian a bit, which was quite average.

–Additionally, you are working again with Cuarzo Producciones, behind formats like 'Survivor'. Would you take the helm of the 'reality' show again?

–I'm at a point in my life where I no longer knock on many doors. I hope they call me; I tell them if I want to or not, among other things because I've done almost everything, including 'Survivor'. If they ask me to do it again, I'd be happy to, although I'm more interested in trying things I've never done before.

–But is there any international format left for you to present on Telecinco?

–Whatever comes, will come. I'm also in a different personal phase. I'm about to turn 60 and I want to start living life differently. I've fought hard to have a career. As you get older, important things change places, and for me now, the important thing is to live. Success is called time; being able to have time to do whatever I want, or do nothing; or travel the world with my husband, which is what I love most.

–In 'The Night of Records', you are surrounded by people who constantly push their limits. Has that changed your perspective on life?

–I've always believed you can reach wherever you want. I've always gone all out, so I felt very identified with people who came after having faced some problem and chose the path of struggle. Life, when it hits you, hits hard. I don't want to get emotional, but this year two very dear friends died suddenly. I was devastated and then I said, well, you have to keep going. I've always been one to push forward, and now that I'm about to turn 60, I think about living and living, and not so much about fighting because I've already achieved what I wanted.

–You knew success from a very young age. What would you say to that young Jesús who started in television?

–Not to take success so seriously, because you become obsessed and sometimes you don't enjoy it.

–What would you say has been the record of your professional career?

–I first set foot in these studios –those of Mediaset, in Fuencarral– in the budding Telecinco in 1990. Since then, I haven't stopped working. In 2025, I'm still sitting in the Mediaset lounges where I started, that's a record. I'm the only one from the first stage who remains. And I think I'm the presenter who has been linked to a media group for the longest time. It's been 35 years. It's true that I had some brief departures to other channels, but like the prodigal son, I've always returned. When I enter Telecinco, I feel like I'm at home.

–What is the show you are most remembered for?

–Coincidentally, it's also one of my favorites. People still talk to me about 'Hotel Glam'; and then there are people who don't even know what it is because 20 years have passed. They also remember me from one of the regional shows or the boxes of 'Deal or No Deal'.

–Could 'Hotel Glam' return to television?

–I proposed it tirelessly, but I think today it would be difficult.

–Turning 60, how are you handling it?

–I'm starting to handle it well, but it took me a while. Now that I'm turning 60, the creaks are starting (laughs). I already had my check-up this year, and the doctor told me I'm doing very well, but I need to watch my cholesterol, which is a bit high...

–Are you more careful with your diet?

–I'm taking much better care of myself, and that has also helped me feel and look good. In recent months, I've been trying to go out less, eat well, and train.

–How are you going to celebrate your birthday?

–The first thing I thought was to throw a big party, but then I said what I really wanted was to be with people who, when they walk through my door, make my face light up with joy. Zero commitments, zero posturing.