HITS AND MISSUS

LEILANI DOWDING JOINS THE CAST AS THE HOUSEWIVES RETURN FOR A 10TH SERIES…

Nothing sparks drama among the Real Housewives like the arrival of a newcomer, so we’re looking forward to seeing Leilani Dowding join the Cheshire set for their 10th series this week. Glamour model and businesswoman Leilani lived in LA for 15 years, but now she and her partner, rock guitarist Billy Duffy, are back in the UK, where she got an offer she couldn’t refuse…

“When Billy and I were in LA, we’d watch The Real Housewives Of Beverly

Hills, and chit-chat about it!” she laughs. “So when the opportunity arose to do this, I thought it would be fun. Plus, it’s the 30th anniversary of one of Billy’s biggest albums, so it’s something for me to do while he’s touring!”

Leilani promises she’ll be making a memorable entrance (which she tells us was “very nerve-wracking”), and hopes that viewers will see a different side of her…

“You know what people think of LA types – that they’re all a bit

cuckoo,” she frets. “I’ve been out there for 15 years, so didn’t realise how different I’ve actually become! Hopefully I’ll shed any ‘Page 3’ image I’ve had, and viewers will see that being a rock star’s girlfriend isn’t as crazy as you might think.”

Leilani’s looking forward to seeing her on-screen debut for herself – although she admits she might have to prepare for it privately…

“I’m going to watch it with close friends and family,” she tells us. “But I might try to get a preview by myself, and if it’s bad, I’ll call the whole thing off! I’ll go, ‘Party’s over!’ and hide in my bed under the covers!”