The Love Island final is literally tonight, which means we've got to turn to one of our other beloved ITV reality shows to obsess over as of tomorrow; otherwise what would we actually do with our lives? Go outside and have a social life? No thanks - you go outside and have a social life. We choose The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Okay, the reality show probably not back on our screens until early next year (still no news about that year's summer special – at least we can binge every series on ITVX) but the build up tonext year's milestone ten-year anniversary series (yep, it's been ten years of RHOCheshire) is certainly building up.
We can already feel the chess pieces moving on the ladies' socials, and it's left us wondering about the main cast, the guests, the possible returns, and which absolute staples might duck out at the final hurdle...
As many fans will already know, series icon of icons Rachel Lugo has been talking about selling her family home in Wilmslow – which is often featured on the show – and even entertained the idea of moving out of Cheshire, (thankfully) to no avail in recent months.
However, in a recent heartfelt Instagram post, Rachel confirmed that her Cheshire home – which she once shared with her ex John Lugo – is going on the market this Thursday (1 August).
She wrote, "No more chances to bury my head and ‘run away’. It’s time to head home … My house is going on the market on Thursday.
"I have big changes ahead … and big decisions to make …
"As someone who hates change it’s definitely not something I have been looking forward to but I know it’s time to stop holding onto the past and get ready to welcome the next chapter in my life …
"I’ve cried enough tears and put it off for far too long …
"Here’s to a chapter of fun, laughter and family ❤️ I’m going to try and make it the best yet ..
"Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends. I can’t wait to find the next place I can call home … wherever in the world that may be 🥰."
While this obviously doesn't automatically mean Rachel is stepping away from the show, it has given us the worries. Can a fully-fledged Cheshire Housewife still be a Cheshire Housewife if she moves out of Cheshire? Historically, no.
We're not going to lie, the language in her caption has given us the chills, and we can't help but feel she's not just talking about moving house in this grid post; telling her 314,000 followers that she has "big changes ahead … and big decisions to make …" and "it’s time to stop holding onto the past and get ready to welcome the next chapter in my life …".
As much as we are pleased for Rachel (and we truly mean that, we know how much she's wanted this for her and her family), the fan in us gets the chill when we read prophetic words such as these.
So just to make it crystal clear to ITV producers right now: a milestone series of The Real Housewives of Cheshire, celebrating ten dramatic AF years, would be nothing without Rachel Lugo.
Manifest, people.
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Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about TOWIE, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅