Ellie Egar, known as Leanne Brown on the show, has left The Real Housewives of Cheshire after finding filming 'too difficult' amid her ongoing financial dispute with co-star Dawn Ward. The departure was confirmed ahead of the seventh series, which returns to ITVBe on March 26.
Egar, wife of former Manchester United star Wes Brown, told the Manchester Evening News: 'It was really difficult making the decision to leave... it’s just too difficult. At the end of the last series it got too hard, it wasn’t fun for me anymore.' She cited the row with Ward as 'all consuming' and said she needed to step back.
The remaining original cast members for series seven are Dawn Ward, Tanya Bardsley, and Lauren Stone. Returning full-time cast include Seema Malhotra, Stacey Forsey, Nermina Pieters-Mekic, Rachel Lugo, and Ester Dee. Christine McGuinness, wife of comedian Paddy McGuinness, will appear as a guest.
Fans have reacted strongly to Egar's exit, with some expressing disappointment and others supporting her decision. Egar has since focused on humanitarian work, raising money for the charity One Woman At A Time, which supports women and girls in Africa.
