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 turned down Channel 4's offer to star in spinoff series Beyond Chelsea alongside her close friends Binky Felstead and Rosie Fortescue, MailOnline can reveal.

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

Beyond Chelsea follows the lives of the trio now they're in their 30s and have settled down with husbands and children, which is the case for Binky and Lucy, while 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, supports the new series but it came at a difficult time for her to take part.

A source revealed: 'Louise was offered a role on Beyond Chelsea, which was obviously something she considered, to star alongside her friends Binky and Rosie would have been a lot of fun.

'But sadly, she wasn't available during the filming dates due to being booked on another project so had to make the tough decision not to take part.

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

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

'It would have been great viewing for audiences who have watched the family grow and been fans of Louise and Sam from the beginning right through to his winning stint last year on I'm A Celeb.' 

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

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

'We have filmed the ups and downs of our lives together for the past decade 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 attached.' 

Louise, famed for starring in Made In Chelsea from 2011 to 2020, has endured a difficult time following the birth of her son Leo, who turns three next month.

The author, who captured her story in new book Lucky, nearly died first giving birth to Leo, and then again a week later after she haemorrhaged, causing her to lose litres of blood and require several transfusions.

Separately, she was also hospitalised after suffering with the bowel disease ulcerative colitis, with the star later being fitted with a stoma bag, which she credits for saving her life.

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

In her monthly column, Unfiltered, for YOU magazine, Louise said 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 per cent of the physical, emotional and mental torture she endured, with Ryan changing the way he sees Louise but for the better.