TOWIE 's Chloe Sims and her younger sisters Frankie and Demi have pulled out of a trip to the Dominican Republic ahead of the show's new series launch.
The sibling trio's absence comes hot on the heels of secret off-screen disagreements amid tensions over new cast members, according to the Sun.
With filming set to commence on Thursday, Chloe, 40, Frankie 27, and Demi, 25, look almost certain to miss out even if issues can be ironed out in time.
New cast members include Junaid Ahmed, formerly of Lovestruck High, and Jordan Brook, who returns to TOWIE after four years.
Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows are also set to return to the fold, meanwhile.
A source told the Sun : "Not everyone's happy about the new arrivals. It's ruffled a few feathers behind the scenes.
"There's been some big disagreements off-camera that resulted in the sisters deciding to pull out of going on the trip two days before they were meant to fly out.
"Every year the three sisters are top of the list of the returning cast. They're the biggest characters who bring the sex appeal, glamour and good storylines. Everyone's talking behind the scenes about why they're missing."
It's not the first time Chloe has been involved in a dispute in recent times.
In March the reality star furiously hit back at Ulrika Jonsson after the TV presenter criticised her for failing to be being honest with her daughter about her plastic surgery.
Chloe, reportedly told her daughter Madison, 16, she sustained bruises 'from falling down' rather than going under the knife.
Her comments then prompted Ulrika, 54, to accuse the reality TV star of 'rejecting the principles of parenting that require us to be frank'.
A spokesperson for Chloe revealed at the time that she was 'deeply disappointed' by Ulrika's comments.
"Chloe is deeply disappointed by Ulrika's uneducated comments and misinformation on twisting fact from its original source interview in celebrating motherhood," the source said.
"And the remarkable bond Chloe has with her daughter into a piece that bears little accuracy, but bitterness in its reflection from its author. For a woman that professes to support and empower other woman, this is somewhat contrary to the values she professes to champion," they added.
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