Former Page 3 girl Leilani Dowding joins the cast of The Real Housewives of Cheshire after ‘after getting tired of LA sun’
TV hit Real Housewives of Cheshire has a new star - The Sun’s ex beauty Leilani Dowding.
The former Miss Great Britain and Page 3 girl has started filming on the show.
The ex-glamour model, 39, who first appeared on Page 3 in 1999, is back in the UK after a spell living in Los Angeles.
She agreed to be part of the ITVbe series alongside her rock star partner Billy Duffy of The Cult.
The 58-year-old music legend regularly tours the world with his band but is now based back in his home town of Manchester.
It meant Leilani could sign up to join the popular reality TV series.
Leilani said: “After 15 years of living in LA, my partner Billy Duffy and I decided to move back to the UK.
“We’ve decided to make Cheshire our home and we’re so excited to be back.
"When the opportunity arose to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire, I thought it would be so much fun, I jumped at the chance.”
Leilani told the Daily Star: 'This is gonna sound really stupid because I actually moved to LA for the weather, but the weather is getting so ridiculously hot there now."
The sultry star was spotted in front of the cameras on Wednesday night in Manchester’s Vanitas bar.
Fiesty Leilani is set to clash with the show’s vixens Dawn Ward and Tanya Bardsley in the upcoming tenth series.
Bournemouth-born Leilani, who won Miss Great Britain in 1998, has been spotted keeping in shape for her TV work.
The brunette - divorced from ex hubby restaurateur Richard Palmer, who was once married to Raquel Welch - also runs her own high-end clothing line called the Leiluna Collection.
A keen poker fan, she refers on social media to lover Billy being her “hubby”. And she calls the rock star “daddy” to their two dogs.
A TV insider said: “Leilani has signed on the bottom line and is officially a Real Housewife.
“Everyone is so excited to have her join the show. She pulls no punches and will be a hit with men and women viewers.
“It’s something of a coup for the show to have landed a big star and her famous rock star partner.
“Billy won’t be a regular megastar in the series, but will appear on screen.
“Leilani has always had a hardcore following, but her fame is set to rocket with mainstream TV work.
“She has an army of fans among The Sun readers and has fond memories of her time with Britain's favourite newspaper.”
Real Housewives of Cheshire bosses hope signing up Leilani will nudge viewing figures over the one million mark.
She has previously been engaged to ex Wimbledon and Northern Ireland football star Mark Williams, and former Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere.
Guitarist and songwriter Billy Duffy grew up in Manchester and found fame with Coloursound, Theatre of Hate, Kings of Chaos and The Nosebleeds.
But rock band The Cult was his most successful group since forming in 1983, and gained a dedicated following.
They split up a few times, most recently reforming in 2006 to tour the globe and record three more studio albums.
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The new series is to be screened this autumn.
Other stars returning include Rachel Lugo, Ester Dee, Seema Malhotra, Perla Navia and Hanna, with Christine McGuiness & Nermina Pieters-Mekic back as guests.
Leilani's Hollywood neighbours included Keanu Reeves and Jason Statham - and show producers will be hoping she shares A-lister gossip.
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