Millionaire socialite and Made In Chelsea star in talks for Real Housewives of London
Tamara Ecclestone and Lucy Watson are names in the frame for the newly announced reality series which will focus on the lives of London’s glamorous women
Tamara Ecclestone is top of the wishlist to star in the highly anticipated Real Housewives of London, which was unveiled by TV bosses this week.
Sources say the 40-year-old socialite, the daughter of former F1 boss Bernie, is in talks to appear on the show, coming in 2025. It wouldn’t be her first foray into reality TV. She left cameras follow her life for Amazon show Tamara’s World in 2017. Other names tipped to appear include Made In Chelsea ’s Lucy Watson and Love Island ’s Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu. The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge has also been approached as bosses try to sign a WAG. The mum-of-two is married to former Chelsea FC ace Wayne.
A show insider says: “Producers want it to bring a sophisticated and refined behind-the-scenes look into London’s most elite socialites and housewives. They want it to be classy – but also deliver on the US-type drama. And Tamara is the frontrunner for them to sign. Execs feel she and her husband Jay Rutland would be just perfect for the cast. They’ve approached various WAGS and big names from the fashion world.”
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The show will be the first original series from reality TV streaming service Hayu. It is set to be produced by Monkey Kingdom, the company behind Made in Chelsea. Insiders tell us that Caroline Stanbury – a star of The Real Housewives of Dubai as well as US series Ladies of London – is helping to bring in the big names, with influencer Lydia Millen also high on the list.
But it seems not everyone is jumping at the chance to appear. Fashion entrepreneur Trinny Woodall, presenter of How To Look Good Naked, is said to have turned down the opportunity, as have stylist and fashion expert Oriona Robb and Selling Sunset’s Chelsea Lazkani, due to other work commitments.
Hayu boss Hendrik McDermott said: “It makes sense that such an iconic location in the UK would feature into our strategy to further amplify our offering with original content that super-serves loyal fans.”
Filming is planned to start early next year. With a promise of both glamour and drama, expect the most exclusive of locations, from private clubs and swish restaurants to multimillion-pound homes.
The Real Housewives franchise has some iconic US-based spin-offs including New York, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Potomac and Salt Lake City, but has only ever produced one England-based show, The Real Housewives of Cheshire, which has gone on for a 17 seasons. Monkey also produces The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Talking of Real Housewives, we caught up with OG Countess Luann, from the New York City show, while she was in town promoting her tour Countess Cabaret, which kicks off in February. She said she can’t wait to party with Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan, who she met this summer at Mighty Hoopla, and stay at pal Tilda Swinton’s. The Countess was also excited about tucking into her favourite British food. “I’m fond of fish and chips,” she admitted. “I’m a gravy girl.” That’s music to a Northerner’s ears…
