Louise Thompson reveals the real reason she turned down Channel 4’s offer to appear in spinoff Beyond Chelsea after she was replaced on show by former co-star Lucy Watson

Louise Thompson has turned down Channel 4’s offer to star in spin-off series Beyond Chelsea alongside her close friends Binky Felstead and Rosie Fortescue, MailOnline can reveal.

The former Made In Chelsea favorite, 34, has opted out of the two-part show, which starts on Tuesday, and was replaced by ex-castmate Lucy Watson, 33, despite Binky previously confirming bosses had set their sights on Louise for a leading role role.

Beyond Chelsea follows the trio’s lives as they enter their 30s and have settled down with husbands and children, which is the case for Binky and Lucy, as Rosie invites viewers to see the inner workings of her businesses and dating escapades.

MailOnline can reveal that Louise, who almost died giving birth to her son Leo in 2021, is supporting the new series but it came at a difficult time for her to take part.

A source revealed: ‘Louise was offered a role in Beyond Chelsea which was clearly something she was considering. It would have been a lot of fun to play alongside her friends Binky and Rosie.

The Made In Chelsea favorite has pulled out of the two-part show and was replaced by ex-castmate Lucy Watson, despite Binky previously confirming bosses had set their sights on Louise

MailOnline can reveal that Louise, who almost died giving birth to her son Leo in 2021, is supporting the new series but it came at a difficult time for her to take part

Beyond Chelsea follows the trio’s lives as they enter their 30s and have settled down with husbands and children, which is the case for Binky and Lucy.

‘But unfortunately she was unavailable during the filming dates as she was booked for another project, so she had to make the difficult decision not to take part.

“She supports Beyond Chelsea and is looking forward to the series airing this week.”

A TV insider added: ‘Producers were hoping Louise would allow cameras to film in the home she shares with fiancé Ryan Libbey, inviting scenes with brother Sam and his long-term girlfriend Zara McDermott, who lives next door live.

‘It would have been a great viewing experience for the audience who have seen the family grow and been fans of Louise and Sam from the start right through to his winning stint on I’m A Celeb last year.’

In January, Binky exclusively told MailOnline that Beyond Chelsea was in the works with herself, Rosie and Louise, describing their bond as ‘family’.

She said: ‘Me, Louise and Rosie and still super close, we always make time for each other for our girls lunches and dinners. We are like family.

‘We’ve spent the last ten years filming the ups and downs of our lives together and when we get together, if the walls could talk…’

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: ‘Channel 4 commissioned the project this summer, with Binky, Lucy and Rosie joining it.’

In January, Binky exclusively told MailOnline that Beyond Chelsea was in the works with herself, Rosie and Louise, describing their connection as ‘family’.

Producers hoped Louise would open the doors to the home she shares with fiancé Ryan Libbey, where she lives next door to brother Sam and his long-term girlfriend Zara McDermott.

The star has been engaged to Ryan since 2018 and the couple share two-year-old son Leo together

Louise was also hospitalized after suffering from bowel disease ulcerative colitis, with the star later fitted with an ostomy bag, which she credits with saving her life.

Louise, famous for starring in Made In Chelsea from 2011 to 2020, has been going through a tough time following the birth of her son Leo, who turns three next month.

The author, who has chronicled her story in the new book Lucky, almost died during Leo’s birth, and again a week later after suffering a hemorrhage that left her losing gallons of blood and requiring several transfusions.

She was also hospitalized after suffering from ulcerative colitis, with the star later fitted with an ostomy bag, which she claims saved her life.

As a result of the horrific birth experience, Louise struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has since had to overcome her postnatal anxiety with therapy, in addition to the support and care of her partner and close family.

In her monthly Unfiltered column for YOU magazine, Louise says the ordeal has made her relationship with Ryan stronger.

She says the personal trainer admits he wouldn’t have been able to cope with even 10 percent of the physical, emotional and mental torture she endured if Ryan changed the way he sees Louise, but for the better.