Real reason Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi quit the US

New details have surfaced about Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s seemingly abrupt move to the British countryside.

Ellen DeGeneres quit the US in favour of the English countryside as part of her “retirement” plan with wife Portia de Rossi.

It was reported earlier this week that the former TV host, 66, and de Rossi, 51, had abruptly left the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California, following Donald Trump’s win in the recent US presidential election.

The couple has been spotted mingling with other celebrities at a star-studded night at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub in The Cotswolds, about two hours out of London – the idyllic region where they have reportedly now settled down.

However, insiders told the Daily Mail that while the dramatic relocation may have appeared to be in reaction to Mr Trump’s impending White House return, it had actually been in the works for some time.

“Make no mistake about it. This is Ellen and Portia’s retirement,” the source told the publication. “Neither one of them have any projects lined up.”

DeGeneres and de Rossi have moved to the Cotswolds. Picture: Instagram

They were spotted with other celebs at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub. Picture: Instagram

The insider added that DeGeneres’ once-packed work schedule had significantly slowed down in the wake of allegations of a toxic workplace on her former show’s set.

“With all the ill will towards her, she was looking to move away even before the election,” the source explained.

“And as things panned out with Trump winning, she is glad she is making the move and going to be away from the US.

“She has the one person that still loves her, Portia, and she is ready to leave everyone who in her mind left her hanging out to dry. If she considers it her retirement, so be it.

“An enormous part of the US doesn’t like her because of her sexual preferences, and others were turned off by her persona, which some perceived to be fake in the wake of the workplace allegations.

“For Ellen, its easier to move away from her problems then to confront them. It seems like a sad end to what she once was in people’s minds.”

The couple are reportedly now in retirement. Picture: Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images for RH

While DeGeneres and de Rossi may now be geographically far from their former star-studded town, The Cotswolds (in England’s southwest) is also packed full of celebrities.

The picturesque countryside is home to David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Hurley, Stella McCartney – and even actual royalty, with King Charles’ beloved Highgrove House located in Gloucestershire.

It’s believed the couple have no plans to move back to the US and are in the process of putting their Montecito, California estate on the market.