Gina Liano celebrates the new season of Real Housewives of Melbourne with co-star Lydia Schiavello

She revealed this week that she almost didn’t return for the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. 

But on Wednesday, reality TV icon Gina Liano celebrated the show when she shared a behind the scenes snap with co-star Lydia Schiavello. 

The 53-year-old shared a selfie at the cast reveal photoshoot, where they announced three new housewives.  

‘Behind the scenes with Lydia Schiavello, season five Real Housewives of Melbourne cast reveal,’ Gina said on Instagram, before listing the cosmetic specialists that helped her get the glamourous look on the day. 

Lydia, 49, shared a similar snap online, writing: ‘The return of the OG’s of RHOM season five.’

‘Empowering and infectious honour, uncontrollable laughter and truck loads of fun.’

Gina and Lydia will be joined by three new cast members this season, former CNN news anchor Anjali Rao, yoga teacher Cherry Dipietrantonio and ‘champagne educator’ Kyla Kirkpatrick.

Other fan favourites will also return, including Janet Roach and Gamble Breaux.

But Gina revealed this week that she almost didn’t return for the upcoming season of the hit show. 

Speaking to news.com.au, the outspoken reality star explained she didn’t want to leave her ‘peaceful’ home life. 

‘It’s a big responsibility having a public profile, even though I swear and carry on and maybe act a bit irresponsible,’ the barrister said. 

She added: ‘I got back into my own life, it was peaceful and I quite enjoyed it and I was hesitant to come back only for that reason. 

‘I think there might be a time where I don’t come back just because my life will keep moving.’

Gina had previously told Foxtel showrunners she wouldn’t return to RHOM if her rival Sally Bloomfield remained a cast member.  

Foxtel’s executive director of television Brian Walsh told The Kyle and Jackie O Show back in September last year that Gina has demanded her on-screen nemesis be axed.

‘Where we left it last season is that Gina said she would not come back to the show if Sally was on the series, and that has taken us some time to resolve how we move forward,’ Brian said at the time.

‘Gina is an important part of the franchise and we’d love to see her back. But we can’t have a situation where one of the talent is dictating the creative [direction of] the show.’  

Sally announced on Instagram last Friday she would not be returning to season five. 

During the fourth season of RHOM, Sally sensationally labelled Gina a ‘bully’ due to the lawyer’s abrasive behaviour towards her co-stars.

Gina was unrepentant during the season four reunion, saying: ‘That’s just my personality. I’m a f**king bull, mate. If you want to come at me like a pussy cat, see the bull heading back!’