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AGE OLD QUESTION

Andy Cohen slams allegations Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson left RHOC because they were too old

REAL Housewives of Orange County was looking for fresh blood, but not younger blood, according to the executive producer of the franchise.

Andy Cohen claimed that age was not a factor in dropping Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge from the show - despite criticisms that it was down to agism.

Andy Cohen claimed that age was not a factor in dropping Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge from RHOC - despite criticisms that it was down to agism
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Andy Cohen claimed that age was not a factor in dropping Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge from RHOC - despite criticisms that it was down to agismCredit: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The 51-year-old was asked by a caller to his SiriusXM show Andy Cohen Live, on Thursday, whether age had been a factor in them being axed.

He denied that they were simply looking for a younger cast; Gunvalson is 57 and Judge is 52.

“If you look at the breadth of Housewives on all of the shows, we represent all ages and specifically [Real Housewives of] New York City, Ramona [Singer]’s 61 or something,” he said. “This doesn’t have to do with age," per .

Cohen said that the exit of Gunvalson and Judge was storyline focussed and intended to keep it moving forward.

Cohen said that the exit of Gunvalson and Judge was storyline focussed and intended to keep it moving forward
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Cohen said that the exit of Gunvalson and Judge was storyline focussed and intended to keep it moving forwardCredit: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Tamra Judge has previously clapped back at age critics by posting bikini pictures
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Tamra Judge has previously clapped back at age critics by posting bikini picturesCredit: Instagram
Both revealed last week that they are leaving the show
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 Both revealed last week that they are leaving the showCredit: Instagram

He also confirmed that Shannon Beador will return, despite her close friends leaving the reality series.

Cohen said: “We just felt like, with Orange County, we were going in circles a little bit with the group. “Sometimes you have to take people out of the group to see the stories go in a different direction. I think if we had taken Shannon out of the group, then we could have a discussion about whether this had something to do with age.”

He continued: “The last thing we want to do is isolate longtime fans of the show. It would definitely not service the show for us to isolate our viewers."

Gina KIrschenhelter, Kelly Dodd, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Vicki Gunvalson and Emily Simpson join Andy Cohen On Watch What Happens Live
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Gina KIrschenhelter, Kelly Dodd, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Vicki Gunvalson and Emily Simpson join Andy Cohen On Watch What Happens LiveCredit: Trae Patton/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Gunvalson, the “OG of the OC,” confirmed last week that she is leaving the show after being demoted last season to a "Friend" role.

She's been with RHOC since it began in 2006.

The next day, Judge, 52, announced that after 12 seasons, she is also leaving RHOC.

Bravo has not confirmed full casting for RHOC season 15 yet - last season saw Judge, Beador, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and newcomer Braunwyn Windham-Burke as full-time Housewives.

Angry Vicki Gunvalson shames Braunwyn for her sex life and says she has ‘no respect for her’ at RHOC reunion

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