Characterisation and introduction Diego is a Venezuelan character and Yepez also shares his nationality. He is characterised as a romantic, has a very accepting nature and is played as a charming man with a cheeky personality. Yepez told Claire Crick from
All About Soap that Diego has a "very fresh outlook" on life. He also believed his character was honest, adding "there are no barriers with him. What you see is what you get when it comes to Diego." The character's first scenes caused controversy with viewers because of decor on his camper van. A
Confederate flag was displayed on his van while conversing with fellow character
Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham). This came at a time some residents of the United States were
condemning modern display of the flag. Viewers took to social media to express their outrage that
Hollyoaks had displayed the divisive symbol. A spokesperson from the show apologised stating "We apologise for any offence caused to our audience, due to this oversight. The flag has been removed from any future episodes."
Relationship with Myra McQueen Diego and Myra had met while in the Spanish resort of
Alicante. Yepez stated that Diego comes to
Hollyoaks with no money but determined to make a new life and keep Myra in his life. Writer's played a story to test the character's relationship in January 2016. Diego starts working for the Nightingale family at "The Dog in the Pond" pub. Myra offers to give
Nathan Nightingale (Jared Garfield) Spanish lessons despite not knowing the language. Diego had refused to learn Nathan the language and Myra is desperate to hide her scam from Diego because he is so honest. Nathan's sister
Ellie Nightingale (
Sophie Porley) tries to convince Diego that Myra and Nathan are having an affair. He refuses to believe her, but her scheming has the desired outcome when Diego misinterprets an interaction between Myra and Nathan as being an affair. Diego later witnesses Nathan showing Myra underwear he has purchased for his girlfriend
Rachel Hardy (Jennifer Brooke). He informs Rachel that their partners are cheating on them and tries to leave the village. Myra then has to convince Diego that she has not been unfaithful. Writers later began to embed the character amongst the McQueen family and interacting more with John Paul. The storyline begins when John Paul becomes annoyed with Diego and Myra's intimacy around the house. He opines that their relationship is merely about sex and orders them to refrain from being intimate for a day. Diego obliges to prove that their relationship is credible. The incident subsequently brings Diego to the decision that he wants to father a child with Myra. This shocks John Paul who begins to develop feelings for him. Yepez believed that John Paul was only disappointed with Diego because of jealousy. He added that Diego "reaches out to him and they establish more of a friendship." Barber-Lane told Ellis that Myra is closer to 50 and unsure if she still can get pregnant. Myra viewed Diego as "young and hot" and decided to pretend she was ten years younger to gain his interest. Myra feels younger with Diego but the reality is that she is older. The actress explained that "she feels guilty that she may not be able to give him what he wants. She'd love to have a baby with him – she just doesn't think she can." Diego's worries about Myra's age are sidelined when she falls over and he finds her visiting the hospital. He assumes that she must be pregnant. In June 2016, episodes featured Mrya hospitalised following a fall down some stairs. She is then informed that she is pregnant and Diego is delighted that his dream of starting a family with Myra has become reality.
Introduction of family In July 2016, Kilkelly (Digital Spy) reported that Fernanda Dinez had been cast as Diego's sister
Maria. He revealed that Maria would be unwelcome in the McQueen household when
Mercedes McQueen (
Jennifer Metcalfe) learns she is involved in drug trafficking. The show managed to keep a secret storyline involving Diego and Maria concealed until a revelation episode was broadcast. When Diego and Mercedes force Maria to leave Hollyoaks village, Maria reveals that Diego has been lying and she is his ex-wife rather than his sister. Writers also used Diego and Maria's scenes to imply that the character is hiding more secrets.
Jacey Sallés was then cast as Diego's mother
Juanita Salvador Martinez Hernandez De La Cruz.
Departure On 8 March 2017, the character made "a shock exit" when he left the village, following the end of his relationship with Myra. Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy confirmed that Yepez had left the cast. Diego's final storyline saw him attempt to scam
Frankie Osborne (
Helen Pearson). When Myra learns the truth, she decides to "turn a blind eye" and move to Spain with him and their young daughter. However, when Frankie confesses that she and Diego also had sex, Myra breaks up with him and Diego leaves without a fight. ==Reception==