The real reason Ellen DeGeneres quit the US for the UK with wife Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres left the US for Britain to begin her ‘retirement’ with wife Portia de Rossi after her career was tarnished by allegations of toxic behavior on her now-defunct talk show.

The TV presenter, 66, and the actress, 51, shocked fans after they were spotted exploring their new property in rural England – amid reports they have put their Montecito mansion on the market in response to the 2024 presidential elections.

But according to insiders, the couple was already planning to leave the United States before Donald Trump won the election.

‘Make no mistake about it. This is Ellen and Portia’s retirement,” an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. “Neither of us has a project in the pipeline.”

The insider noted that the former talk show heavyweight has had to do a lot less work following accusations that she created a toxic workplace on the set of her show.

Ellen and Portia were spotted in The Cotswolds, a part of South West England that is about 100 miles from London and known as the A-list capital of Britain

“Ellen really felt like she had made her mark on the industry, but that diminished when she was fired for the alleged treatment of her staff,” the source added. “It was so painful to have celebrities call her out one by one.”

Ellen’s career plummeted following allegations of toxic behavior on the set of her eponymous daytime talk show, the final episode of which aired on May 26, 2022.

She delved into her persona non grata status in her stand-up special For Your Approval, which was released on Netflix in late September.

The comedian joked that she had been “kicked out of show business” in the special, which featured material about how she has been spending her time since wrapping up her TV show.

A second source confirmed that the change in attitudes towards her, combined with the recent election results, was enough to make Ellen flee the US.

“Despite all the ill will toward her, she wanted to move before the election,” the source began. “And now that things have played out with Trump’s victory, she’s happy to be making the move and be away from the US.”

The source continued, “She has the only person who still loves her, Portia, and she’s ready to leave everyone who left her in spirit out to dry. If she considers it her retirement, then so be it.

“Much of the US doesn’t like her because of her sexual preferences, and others felt put off by her personality, which some saw as fake in the wake of the workplace allegations.

According to insiders, the couple was already planning to leave the United States before Donald Trump won the elections

“With all ill will towards her, she wanted to move before the elections,” the source said. “And now that things have played out with Trump’s victory, she’s happy to be taking this step.”

‘It is easier for Ellen to distance herself from her problems than to face them. It seems like a sad end to what she once was in people’s minds.”

Ellen and Portia have settled in The Cotswolds, a part of South West England that is about 100 miles from London and known as the A-list capital of Britain.

Their new neighborhood is also home to a number of A-listers, including David and Victoria Beckham – who regularly share photos of their idyllic country life – Kate Moss, Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Hurley and Stella McCartney, among others.

The area – where the raunchy new Disney series Rivals took place – is even home to royal families, as King Charles owns Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.

It has been rumored for years that Hugh Grant has a small hideout in the area.

A previous study found that the region is home to more stars per acre than anywhere outside London – with around 50 celebrities having hideaways in rural Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

The area is popular with celebrities who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of London, which would make sense for Ellen and Portia, as they had already tried to avoid Los Angeles by moving to Montecito in Santa Barbara County, about 75 miles from LA.

The pair was spotted last week a visit to Jeremy Clarkson’s pub in the area.

The Cotswolds is a beautiful region known for its picturesque villages and sometimes referred to as the ‘Heart of England’ (pictured cottages at Castle Combe in Cotswolds, England)

While many celebrities threatened to leave the US in light of a Trump victory, most did not (Trump pictured on November 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

The move also appears to have led to a makeover, with Ellen trading in her trusty blonde for a head full of dark brown locks.

While many American celebrities have threatened to leave the US in light of a Trump victory, most have not done so.

Stars including Cher, Barbra Streisand and Sharon Stone have all said they would consider leaving the US if Trump wins, although it is not clear whether any of them will actually do so.

America Ferrera is eyeing a move to Britain, while Eva Longoria has moved to Spain, although she made it clear that despite her disapproval of Trump, he was not the reason for the move.