It's been a while since we've heard from The Real Housewives of Cheshire's resident peacemaker Hanna Kinsella.
Ironically, the last time we saw her on our screens she was at war with new girl Paige Chohan and her bestie Seema Malhotra over, well, pretty much everything and anything in series 16.
In fact, despite historically choosing the easier/drama-free path on the show (well, most of the time), last series was anything but a smooth ride for our Hanna – from interfering in Rachel Lugo's relationship with now-ex Nick, to, well, virtually every exchange with Paige.
No one could blame Hanna for choosing to take a break from the very public drama of Cheshire after all that, and while the rest of her cast mates have spent the past couple of months filming scenes for series 17, Hanna has been notably absent – and, naturally, tongues have been wagging.
But now, after months of rumours, Hanna has finally spoken out; and just days after two new full-time Housewives were announced – Ellie Egar and Paige Chohan (yep).
Unsurprisingly, the news is not good if you're Team Kinsella...
Hanna and the RHOCheshire bosses have confirmed that the popular Housewife has decided to step down from the show this series, but will be popping up as guest (although she is yet to film any scenes for series 17) at some point.
In a heartfelt message to her fans on Instagram, Hanna wrote, "Some of you may have noticed that I have taken a step back from Housewives this series. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one you for the incredible support and love that I have felt over the last 5 years on the show. Thank you for all of the lovely messages, I do try and reply to as many as I can 🤍.
"There have been ups and there have been downs, but I have been so blessed to have been given the opportunity to film alongside my beautiful friends who are all so special to me in their own unique way. It’s been amazing to have shared my life with you all, from engagement to marriage to starting our family; the laughs, the cries, the arguments, the make ups - it certainly has been a rollercoaster.
"But here I am, two babies later and I felt it was time take a step back and allow myself more time for me, my family and my businesses.
"I have made the most incredible friends and made memories I will never forget. Thank you all for being a part of my journey ❤️ I will still be appearing on housewives as a guest of course…so you haven’t seen the last of me yet 😊 ❤️."
Shortly after her touching announcement the former Housewife took to her Instagram story to clear up any lingering rumours, one being – did Paige's appointment to full-time Housewife have anything to do with Hanna's departure?
Despite not seeing eye-to-eye with Paige last series, Hanna insists that her reasons for leaving the show have nothing to do with the new Housewife. She said, "Quite a lot of you have been asking me whether it's because of Paige that I left, and I want to make it absolutely clear that it has got absolutely nothing to do with Paige. Nothing to do with Paige."
She continued with a very fair point, "Listen, I joined when it was Dawn [Ward] and Tanya [Bardsley] and I got in the middle of all of that – Paige was nothing. Paige was nothing compared to the stuff I've dealt with on the show. So, no, it's nothing to do with her.
"Like I said, it's more to do with family, putting the kids first, spending more time with Martin and everything else. I know I had beef with Paige...probably still will, but I think she's pregnant now, so things might be good and rosy, who knows? But yeah, definitely nothing to do with Paige."
Rachel Lugo: '[Hanna] is away at the moment'
To be honest, we'd pretty much written Hanna off for the upcoming series – and then her good friend and unofficial spokesperson for the Real Housewives, Rachel Lugo, opened Pandora's Box by revealing that she plans to film with Hanna very soon. WHAT?
During one of her legendary Instagram Q&As, Rachel was flat out asked, "Is Hannah not filming RHOC?"
Sharing a stunning snap of her and Hanna together, Rachel replied, "Watch this space... I'm hoping to film with her very soon 😍😍😍😍 she's away at the moment ❤️."
Rachel assures fans that Hanna will be. back
Hanna talks about her RHOCheshire future
Not only was Hanna notably absent from filming for the Manchester Pride special at the end of August (Rachel, Nicole Sealey, Lystra Adams, Lauren Simon, and even Tanya, Ester Dee and Ampika Pickston all popped up in behind-the-scenes pics and vids, but Hanna was a no-show), but she seemed hesitant about her future on the show late last year.
During a Q&A, one fan wrote, "You have been quiet on Instagram recently. Not a moan, just blooming love you and your gorgeous family."
Hanna went on to explain that she had been busy with moving and her work as a dentist, but admitted she was "not filming at the moment", going on to suggest that she was somewhat unsure about her future with the ITVBe series (this one was all in the facial expressions).
She revealed, "I've been working really hard because I'm not filming at the moment. They don't start filming the new series until January [2024] which...I don't know yet what's going on with that."