What an exciting time to be a Real Housewives of Cheshire fan; not only is OG of OGs Lauren Simon waving the flag for the ITVBe show on Celebrity Big Brother every night, BUT, series 17 is pretty much a series one cast reunion (see below), Lystra Adams has confirmed that the friendship dynamics are all askew (= drama) AND Rachel Lugo has revealed that new episodes will air when CBB wraps later this month – which means the gruelling wait is FINALLY over.
Not enough? How about two brand-new Housewives to boot? We had a feeling ITV might be recruiting new cast members this year, given that Hanna Kinsella's Housewife status is looking pretty bleak and Natasha Hamilton is on maternity leave.
Taking to her Instagram story for a particular juicy Q&A earlier this month, Seema revealed that producers have recruited not one, but two new Housewives who have been secretly filming scenes for series 17 for weeks now. Unfortunately, Seema is a veteran cast member and knows how to tease us fans just enough without getting herself in trouble with ITV bosses...
In response to a fan who asked whether series 17 would include any new Housewives she shared a picture of herself with two other glamorous women, but covered their faces with emojis. How very Closer of you, Seema.
Well, we look forward to meeting you in due course, ladies – whoever you are.
Four season one OGs return for season 17 filming
Two season one OGs are signed on to join the ladies for series 17 and are currently filming scenes with the likes of Lystra, Rachel and Nicole Sealey.
And if your RHOCheshire maths is up to scratch, that means alongside OG Lauren and Seema, we now have four – count them – FOUR season one OGs signed on for the latest chapter of Cheshire drama.
Both Ampika Pickston and Tanya Bardsley – who appeared in the recent Pride special as guests – have posted about returning to filming for series 17 in recent days, and while Tanya has admitted to once again signing on as a 'guest housewife', Ampika is yet to confirm her official return status, but if she's back for good then SLAY.
Taking to her Instagram grid recently, Ampika shared a snap of her and her fellow season one OGs Lauren and Seema, along with the telling caption, "Guess who’s back in town 👀👀👀…….. with the beautiful @seemaforeverunique and @lauren_simon_835. It’s good to be back 🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥 @officialrhoch 🫶🏻❤️🫶🏻."
A few days earlier, Tanya, who has joined the girls for several specials and girls' trips since officially leaving the show in 2021, posted an ultra glam behind-the-scenes shot of herself to her grid with the caption, "Take 3 … day one of series 17 @officialrhoch 😍⭐️❤️ I’m back as a guest housewife again I can’t wait for all the fun and lols to come 😍❤️⭐️ #housewives #series17 #family #love @nbcuniversal @monkeynbc @itvxofficial ❤️."
Series 17 girls' trip
The Golden Triangle girls all returned to work at the end of January 2024 and were swiftly sent on yet another girls' trip to film the first few episodes of the hotly-anticipated series 17, and naturally, the Cheshire ladies shared an array of teasers and snaps on their individual socials.
We've learned several things from these digital Housewife breadcrumbs: the ladies have been filming a 'girls sleepover' at a secret location somewhere in the UK, Tanya and Ampika are back (iconic move, RHOCHeshire producers), Lystra and Nicole have not appeared in one photo together on the trip (suggesting that their on and off-screen beef is still beefing), AND according to one Housewife, "tears and tantrums" have already been caught on camera.
Nicole Sealey promises 'tears and tantrums' in series 17
Legend of legends Nicole took to her Instagram recently to a share a stunning snap of herself at the undisclosed filming location, revealing the current vibes on set amongst the ladies – and, surprise surprise, they're mixed.
Nicole wrote, "And so it begins again 😉.
"Laughter, tears and tantrums just a regular sleep over with the girls 😘."
The ladies last convened to film the Pride special last summer
The last time the ladies appeared on screen was back in November 2023 for their Pride special – which saw the spectacular return of ex-Housewives Ampika, Tanya and Ester Dee – was FINALLY aired (it was filmed in August 2023).
Before that, fans last saw the Housewives reminiscing over series 16 at the explosive reunion in May 2023. The downright iconic sixteenth series introduced us to new Housewife/Atomic Kitten Natasha and new guest Housewife/hurricane Paige Chohan.
