The Real Housewives of Melbourne confirms shocking fifth season shake-up

The Real Housewives of Melbourne confirms shocking fifth season shake-up – as fan favourites Gina Liano and Lydia Schiavello exit the series while Jackie Gillies returns

The Real Housewives of Melbourne is set to return for its long overdue fifth season this year following a dramatic cast shake-up.

On Wednesday, Foxtel confirmed the official season five cast, which features a mix of new and old faces.

Original cast members and fan favourites Gina Liano and Lydia Schiavello have both exited the show, leaving longtime viewers shocked. 

New cast! The Real Housewives of Melbourne confirmed its season five cast (pictured) at an event in Melbourne on Wednesday

Gamble Breaux and Janet Roach will return, along with Jackie Gillies, who had previously quit following season four.

The new season will also see new arrivals in Simone Elliott, news anchor Anjali Rao, yoga teacher Cherry Dipietrantonio, and champagne educator Kyla Kirkpatrick.

According to the Herald Sun, Gina excited the show to focus on her legal career.

They're out! Original cast members and fan favourites Gina Liano (right) and Lydia Schiavello (left) have both exited the show, leaving long-time viewers shocked

They’re out! Original cast members and fan favourites Gina Liano (right) and Lydia Schiavello (left) have both exited the show, leaving long-time viewers shocked

The series was initially scheduled to film in March last year with Gina and Lydia, but it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Gina expressed her reservations about returning to the controversial franchise in an interview last year.

‘It’s a big responsibility having a public profile, even though I swear and carry on and maybe act a bit irresponsible,’ she previously told News Corp. 

She's back! Despite quitting after season four, Jackie Gillies has decided to return to the show

She’s back! Despite quitting after season four, Jackie Gillies has decided to return to the show

Fresh faces: Cherry Dipietrantonio , Kyla Kirkpatrick and Anjali Rao are three of the new cast members on the series

Fresh faces: Cherry Dipietrantonio , Kyla Kirkpatrick and Anjali Rao are three of the new cast members on the series 

‘I got back into my own life, it was peaceful and I quite enjoyed it and I was hesitant to come back only for that reason.

‘I think there might be a time where I don’t come back just because my life will keep moving.’

No premiere date has been confirmed for season five of The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

She means business: According to the Herald Sun, Gina excited the show to focus on her legal career

She means business: According to the Herald Sun, Gina excited the show to focus on her legal career

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk