Series 16 of The Real Housewives of Cheshire has been a turbulent one – even for The Real Housewives of Cheshire. We've witnessed tears, tantrums, tussles, and one of the most dramatic dinner parties in the show's eight year history – scrap that, the franchise's history.
At the forefront of plenty of this season's drama has been the ever iconic Rachel Lugo, who gave viewers unfiltered access to the final months of her relationship with now ex-boyfriend Nick, who has appeared as a guest on the show for a multitude of episodes over the last couple of years.
Rachel has been sharing the ins and outs of her busy life with fans since she first joined the ITVBe series in 2017 and has since built up a huge social media following, boasting over 295k Instagram followers.
This week, The Real Housewives of Cheshire star decided to immerse fans deeper into her private life, by answering an array of intimate questions in a rare Instagram Q&A.
Many of these questions were to do with Rachel's new relationship status – single and fabulous – following her rather public split with Nick, which was heavily documented on the RHOCheshire and on social media. More specifically, how she is doing now and how she's adapting to single life.
Rachel opened up to her followers, saying, "That's a hard one… I love being in a relationship but I think I just needed some time to be by myself."
When asked how she felt about being single again, she admitted feeling "sad" and "lonely" since splitting with Nick after two and a half years together.
Rachel revealed, "Bit sad tbh. Bit lonely… even with all my friends around I miss having that person I can look at and he know immediately what I'm thinking and just a smile makes everything ok. I'm definitely a relationship person but I also need my space."
We have to say we have so much respect for any celeb that lets down those giant, often impenetrable walls and gets real and raw with fans who look up to them, showing that, in fact, we're all human and all suffer at the hands of love and life. So, well done, Rach, for opening up – just when we thought your queen status couldn't soar any higher.
Prior to her relationship with Nick, Rachel was married to John Lugo. Her marriage to John ended in 2019 when they split after 24 years together after it came to light that John had cheated.
Before their split, Rachel said on social media, "John and I are having a bit of a bumpy ride.
"We are trying to see if we can work it - we've been together for a very long time, it's five children."
Rachel later confirmed they had split during an episode of The Real Housewives of Cheshire, saying "I've kind of made a big decision in my life and it is a big step.
"I've decided that I'm not going to take anymore sh-t and it's not a celebration, I don't want any cheers because it's quite sad after 24 years but I've actually petitioned for divorce."
Months later she appeared to have moved on from her ex-husband with a new man, but that was short-lived and she soon slammed 'toxic' relationships saying, "I joked with my friends whoever I dated had to come recommended so I didn’t end up with a nutter. Well, how wrong was I? 🤦♀.”
She then hit out at her ex-boyfriend and claimed he's "stalking her" online.
Fast forward to late 2020 and Rachel confirmed she'd moved on with new boyfriend Nick. The relationship came to an end in March 2023, while filming the RHOCheshire series 16.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire continues Mondays at 9PM on ITVBe and ITVX