REAL Housewives of Cheshire’s Royston Blythe has issued a formal complaint to show bosses after calling cops on his co-star Rachel Lugo.
In his blistering letter, which The Sun can exclusively reveal, Royston states he felt had become “toxic” and “aggressive” and said he had been left needing “psychological support”.
Royston Blythe has quit Real Housewives Of Cheshire after a bust up with Rachel Lugo Credit: Instagram
He claims businesswoman Rachel pushed him during a posh party in Manchester – with him calling the cops Credit: Mancpicss66
It comes after Royston, 69, by , 51, at the £150-a-ticket Empowerment Gala which was being filmed for the hit ITV show.
A source said: “Royston has been speaking with but he wants telly bosses to take action.
“He wrote the letter in the days following the incident and he is pushing for change.”
, who has been seen on for the past 11 years, has since quit the production following the incident at Northenden Golf Club in Manchester on May 1.
His letter to ITV has been shared with me, with Royston admitting he wrote the letter to raise a “serious complaint”.
Royston says he believes the “push” was aggressive and said: “This was not playful, theatrical or accidental.
“It was an aggressive physical act that left me feeling humiliated, embarrassed and deeply shaken.”
He added: “The police have followed up and have advised me that they consider the incident to constitute assault.
“I understand that the matter is now being looked into and that an investigation is in progress.”
Businesswoman Rachel, who has been on since 2017, was contacted regarding Royston’s allegation but has not responded to request for comment.
Rachel emerged this week after news broke about the incident Credit: Mancpicss66
Last year, the RHOC were seen in happier times at the National Reality TV Awards – from left: Amir Chohan, Paige Chohan, Lystra Adams, Ampika Pickston, Nick Molenco and Royston Credit: Getty
Royston goes on to claim he feels the tone of the long-running show – which has been streamed by fans – has changed in recent years.
In his letter he alleged: “I have watched the tone and culture of the show change significantly.
“What once felt like an entertaining, spirited and glamorous production has, in my experience, become increasingly toxic, aggressive and damaging to those involved.”
He continued: “Over the years, both I and Nick Milenko have experienced what we feel are heightened levels of aggression, anger and confrontation during filming.
“This appears to have become more pronounced as the show has developed.
“In my experience, the production environment increasingly encourages conflict in order to create drama, maintain ratings and deliver heightened television moments.
“The problem is that this has real consequences for the people involved.”
In his letter of complaint, Royston goes on to claim that UTAS UK Productions – – appears to “tolerate aggression for entertainment value”.
Royston – who counts and among his clients – also opens up about the impact he feels the incident has had on his life.
He reveals Rachel initially apologised for the push but said that in the days that followed, he reflected on the incident and said he doesn’t feel the incident should have been allowed to happen.
Rachel apologised to Royston following the incident Credit: instagram/@rachellugo1
She has been part of the RHOC cast since 2017, when she joined in the sixth series of the show Credit: PR Handout
Royston explained: “The impact of this incident has been made even harder by my age and stage of life.
“In all my 69 years, I have never experienced a violent incident of this nature.
“To be physically pushed in this way, in a professional filming environment and in front of others, has been extremely difficult for me to process both emotionally and physically.
“It has left me feeling vulnerable, shocked and deeply unsettled in a way I have never experienced before.”
Following the incident, Royston has spoken with a member of the show’s HR department about the incident.
Telly insiders admitted there were now question marks over whether filmed at the Empowerment Charity Gala would ever be shown.
A source said: “Royston is being taken seriously and is being listened to.
“There is a duty of care that all production companies and broadcasters have for people on their shows and this is at the forefront of their minds.
“Filming was taking place when the incident happened but it’s likely that will never see the light of day now.
“Conversations are ongoing however.”
Rachel has yet to comment on the incident which took place at the Empowerment Charity Gala on May 1 Credit: Getty
There is now a question mark over whether the incident will ever appear on the cult show – which has been streamed more than 100 million times by fans Credit: ITV
Royston first opened up about the incident in with The Sun this week.
He told me: “I was standing at the clubhouse bar talking to and when it happened.
“My Nick was opposite in a little group when suddenly Rachel aggressively pushed her way through his group from behind and went for me.
“It was all such a shock, she shoved me in the shoulder and pushed me back with such force, I lost my footing and felt winded.
“The party went quiet.
“It doesn’t sound much but I was totally humiliated.
“I might not have suffered a broken bone but mentally I am broken.”
Nick Malenko, Royston’s long-time partner, said he was struggling to comprehend how the incident unfolded.
He added: “Royston is nearly 70, he is a pensioner.
“Pushing him around is not correct.
“It seems like they couldn’t give a s**t. They rile people up and then they do things they couldn’t.
“The look on Rachel’s face was pure evil, it still haunts me.”
Royston says he is still waiting to hear the outcome of the police investigation.
Although his contact with is now limited, he is hopeful he will get the outcome he believes he deserves.
He adds: “I want Rachel to give me a letter of apology.
“It’s been over five weeks now.
“It was a public event, the humiliation made me feel small. And the way it was handled afterwards.
“There have been rows on the shows before but I have never been manhandled or shoved.”
Royson adds: “The other housewives have been calling me and urging me to drop the case because they need the show.
“But this is about more than fame and money so I can’t just let it go for the sake of my own sanity.”
ITV and UTAS UK Productions have not yet responded to a request for a comment.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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