Leah Remini is joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The Housewives rumours have finally been confirmed

The casting was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday before Remini confirmed the news herself on Instagram, keeping her announcement short with just two words and three exclamation marks: “It’s true!!”

Remini will join Tracy Tutor, the former Million Dollar Listing star who was announced as the other new addition to the series last week. The two new faces arrive after months of speculation over who would be joining the RHOBH cast for its next season.

"Well… the secret’s officially out. I’m joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I could not be more excited for this next chapter. Beverly Hills is home. I’ve raised my girls here, built my career here, and now apparently I’ve decided to let you all even further into my life."

– Tracy Tutor, on Instagram

Why Leah Remini is a serious signing

Reality TV is hardly unfamiliar territory for Remini. She previously competed on Dancing With the Stars and starred in her own TLC series, Leah Remini: It’s All Relative. She also won two Emmys for Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, the documentary series she created, hosted and executive produced, which established her as one of the church’s most outspoken critics.

The Beverly Hills franchise has brought in famous faces from outside reality TV before, with Denise Richards previously spending two seasons as a Housewife and Jennifer Tilly appearing as a friend of the cast. Remini, though, arrives with an even bigger profile thanks to her acting career and Emmy-winning work.

The season 16 cast will also include Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley and Bozoma Saint John, although Bravo has not yet announced when the new season will air in the UK.