Annette Sharp: Krissy Marsh in, Linda Rogan out for next season of Real Housewives of Sydney

Krissy Marsh looks to be able to claim an early victory in the first casting battle concerning the forthcoming second season of Real Housewives of Sydney, writes Annette Sharp.

Krissy Marsh looks to be able to claim an early victory in the first casting battle concerning the forthcoming second season of Real Housewives of Sydney.

Weeks after we revealed producers had upset returning star Marsh with plans to recruit little-known Sydneysider and Cranbrook mum Linda Rogan for the returning series comes news Rogan hasn’t made the cut.

Marsh is understood to have met with TV producers last month to share her concerns regarding Rogan.

Made the cut: Krissy Marsh. Picture: Instagram

Did not make the cut: Linda Rogan. Picture: Instagram

Sources say she gave producers an ultimatum – her or Rogan.

It seems, in the end, producers felt mother-of-three Marsh, who is married to property developer John, with whom she last year dropped $30m on the Double Bay family home of Magellan’s Hamish Douglass, was aspirationally a better fit for the show.

In contrast Rogan, also a mother-of-three, who is married to mystery man Gil Sartena, owns a Double Bay laser clinic and curates a sexy Instagram page for followers that include father-to-be Sam Burgess and his big brother Luke.

FRANCESCA PACKER BARHAM STILL IN LOVE

Francesca Packer Barham’s relationship with wellness entrepreneur Robert Bates sputters on, or so this column has been assured.

A week after sources informed us the months-long romance with Bates looked to be over, we have received new information contradicting that mail.

In fact, we now hear Packer Barham has swept the 40-something up and moved him into her swank Harry Seidler-designed Darlinghurst apartment at The Horizon.

Francesca Packer (left) with her grandmother Roslyn Packer at a fundraiser for Sydney Children’s Hospital. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Horizon has long been one of Sydney’s more fashionable haunts and was once home to Harry M Miller and Deborah Hutton, Jackie Weaver, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, and property developer Lang Walker.

Packer Barham forked out $16m for a five-bedroom apartment in the complex in 2019.

Bates is understood to have found himself without lodgings over Christmas when the lease on his Bondi Beach penthouse rental fell due. That apartment, at 1 O’Brien St, has since been relisted for rent.

A two-bedroom penthouse in the development is currently available for rent with a $2500-a-week asking price with a $10,000 upfront bond.

A real estate agent on Friday refused to comment on the circumstances of Bates’ departure.

Lucky for Bates, he’s struck gold in compassionate new girlfriend Packer Barham, who didn’t hesitate in moving him in with her before sweeping Bates away to London for a weeks-long winter sabbatical.

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