Real Housewives of Melbourne OG Gina Liano Won’t Be Returning for the New Season

When the Real Housewives of Melbourne season five cast was announced on April 14, there was one notable absence — Gina Liano.

The firm favourite, who appeared on the first four seasons of the hit show was nowhere to be seen — and the only explanation was that she had made the decision not to come back.

The same afternoon, Liano took to Instagram to congratulate Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach and the brand new cast of housewives.

“A big congratulations to the cast of The Real Housewives of Melbourne season 5!!! How exciting and welcome to the 4 newbies,” she wrote, accompanying a photo from her time on the show. “I will miss you all and look forward to watching you in season 5!!!”

Liano then went on to thank Foxtel for “a wonderful 4 seasons and for your well wishes as I step back from the show” before adding a “big thank you to all my gorgeous followers who have travelled through the last 4 glorious seasons of #RHOMelbourne with me and have made it the most enjoyable ride. I have loved it and am eternally grateful for all your love and support.”

Back in 2020, Liano told news.com.au that she almost didn’t film the fourth season as she didn’t want to leave her “peaceful” home life.

“It’s a big responsibility having a public profile, even though I swear and carry on and maybe act a bit irresponsible,” the 54-year-old barrister said. “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.”

Joining Gillies and Roach are new housewives Simone Elliot, a successful businesswoman who juggles a high-flying corporate job with raising two children and studying for her MBA, mother-of-three Cherry Dipietrantonio, self-made businesswoman, “Champagne Dame” Kyla Kirkpatrick; and multi-award-winning news anchor and mother of one, Anjali Rao.

“The Real Housewives of Melbourne has had our fans on the edge of their seat – desperate for its return. It’s quite simply the most popular reality program, loved by our audiences for the fun, outrageous and laugh-out-loud personalities.  We are thrilled with the new line-up of strong, successful women and can’t wait for viewers to get a window into their lives – it is sure to be, once again, compulsive viewing,” Foxtel’s Group General Manger, Lifesyle, Wendy Moore said in a statement.