Live return and audience figures
On 2 October 2026, Belén Esteban appeared live on the set of Telecinco's prime-time programme ¡De viernes!, hosted by Santi Acosta and Beatriz Archidona. Her appearance marked her first live in-studio broadcast on the network since the cancellation of the daily programme Sálvame three years earlier. The broadcast drew 1,228,000 viewers and a 19.7% audience share, leading the Friday night slot ahead of Antena 3's La Voz and La 1's Malas lenguas noche. The programme almost doubled Telecinco's daily average share of 9.9% and exceeded its monthly average of 9.6%. The performance improved upon her taped interview on 25 September 2026, which recorded an 18.7% share with 1,130,000 viewers, and became the format's second-highest audience share behind Julián Muñoz's 19.9% in September 2024.
Legal warnings and family disputes
Hours before the broadcast commenced, former bullfighter Jesulín de Ubrique and his wife María José Campanario released a public statement refuting claims Esteban made on 25 September and warning of potential legal action. Esteban addressed the warning both on set and during a media encounter outside her residence in Paracuellos de Jarama on 3 October. She stated that the legal warning did not intimidate her and affirmed that her daughter Andrea remains a private individual living abroad. Television collaborator Makoke later commented on Esteban's return, mentioning that Esteban had privately supported her by inquiring after her daughter-in-law Marina, though Makoke suggested Esteban should move on from past conflicts with Ubrique.
- Esteban appears in a taped interview on ¡De viernes!, drawing an 18.7% share.
- Jesulín de Ubrique and María José Campanario issue a legal warning before Esteban's live set appearance.
- Esteban addresses reporters outside her residence, dismissing legal threats and face-to-face debate offers.
Clashes over Supervivientes
During the show, Esteban reacted to footage from Supervivientes All Stars in Honduras, where Rosa Benito and Víctor Janeiro discussed her past relationships. Benito stated on camera that speaking about Esteban caused her physical nausea and claimed their friendship ended when Esteban criticised her daughter, Rosario Mohedano.
She touched my daughter, which is what I love most. And for me, just as nobody can touch her daughter, nobody touches mine either.
Esteban questioned the spontaneity of the conversations in Honduras, asking whether production staff had instructed contestants to mention her to boost reality show ratings.
On Tuesday I jumped from the Supervivientes helicopter without even being there.
Set dynamics and post-broadcast remarks
Esteban also brought up a past incident from her time on Sálvame regarding her former addiction struggles, calling on panelists Lydia Lozano and Terelu Campos to confirm her account involving Benito and the late Mila Ximénez. The broadcast brought an in-person reunion with journalist Ángela Portero, following unresolved tension from a 2015 dispute on Gran Hermano VIP. Portero took her seat after setting professional boundaries for the interview.
I came to do my job. Regardless of the fact that there is no personal affinity between us, I will be as professional as I have always proven to be.
Following the three-hour programme, which featured six advertising breaks, Esteban stated on 3 October that she refused a face-to-face debate with Beatriz Trapote and is focusing on her personal projects and Instagram work.