Former Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan says that killing off her character, the vampy Edie Britt, could have “devastating ramifications” on the award-winning ABC dramedy.

“I think whoever Edie represented in Marc’s [show creator Marc Cherry] life was somebody he didn’t like. And he had a very difficult time distinguishing between fact and fiction,” the star says in a new interview with TV Guide.

“[Killing off Edie] was a risky decision that could have devastating ramifications.”

Nicollette says her run on D.H. started out exciting, but the fun began to fizzle out several seasons ago: “When the show started it was such a different beast. It was exciting and dangerous and funny and edgy and bizarre. It started feeling a little complacent, and that was very frustrating.”

“I said, ‘OK, sayonara. It’s been a great ride. Thank you,” say of her final hurrah on Desperate.

Series creator Marc Cherry says Nicollette’s exit is simply a money matter. Marc claims Desperate Housewives has been having financial troubles and cutting Nicollette from the cast will save the show $100-$200,000 an episode.

“There has been tremendous pressure put on me to cut costs…the network is saying to all the shows, ‘The company is really hurting financially. You must find a way to produce these shows more cheaply,’” he tells TV Guide.

“Edie already slept with most of the guys on the street and has caused about as many problems as she could. … We will find a new kind of sexiness coming through Wisteria Lane,” he added. “What I won’t do is cast another fortysomething sexy blonde. … [Nicollette] performed the aging neighborhood tramp better than anyone has ever done before.”

According to a scoop featured in the March 30 issue of The National Enquirer, Nicollette stole more than $30,000 worth of merchandie from her trailer on March 6; the items include a flat-screen TV, a mattress, pillows, a sofa, pots, dishes, and even chandeliers from the exquistely-designed trailer located on the lot at Universal Studios.

“…She sure went out with a bang,” one set spy laughs.

“Nicollette removed everything but the kitchen sink,” the Enquirer source reveals. “When producers showed up the following Monday, they were shocked. Nicollette’s trailer was virtually empty….I think she was angry she wasn’t given a farewell party, so decided to take her own parting gifts.”

Desperate producers are said to be furious. “They will demand she return the items–or they’re going to charge her for everything.”

The actress’ rep admits Nicollette cleaned out the trailer before taking her final bow on the hit series, but the spokesperson is emphatic that everything Nicollette removed belonged to her.

While there could be lots of dirt to dish behind the scenes at DH, Nicollette won’t be the one slinging mud. The star’s rep has debunked a report claiming the exiting star would be writing a tell-all book about her days on Wisteria Lane. Nic’s camp insist the rumor is “…completely not true,” adding that “Nicollette is a private person and would never write a book about this.”

This show jumped the shark ages ago, so this really doesn’t come as any surprise.

The Golden Globe-nominated star will end her run as real estate agent “Edie Britt” after the sixth season finale airs this May, ABC said in a statement to TV Guide this afternoon.

Sheridan’s depature comes after months of rumored strife between the 45-year-old blonde and series creator Marc Cherry. Last summer, National Enquirer spies reported that Nicollete stormed off the set while filming an episode of D.H. after an argument with Marc turned physical.

During the show’s fifth season, Marc revealed that “Edie” character would be crossing a moral boundary that “will have have devastating consequences for her and lead to a shocking conclusion to her time on Wisteria Lane.”

According to E!, in her final episode, Edie finds out that her husband, Dave, is plotting to kill her – and nearly succeeds. But as she escapes his plan, she is involved in a fatal accident involving a car and an electrical wire, E! reports, based on a rumored script.

Nicollette Sheridan has been on the ABC show since its debut in 2004.

Wow…this hasn’t been Ryan Seacrest’s week. First, the radio/television personality was snubbed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at last weekend’s Golden Globes. Then he became the butt of a blogosphere comedy fest when he foolishly tried to high-five a blind man on Tuesday’s Season Premiere of American Idol 8. And now this…

Desperate Housewives Nicollette Sheridan stopped by the The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday and revealed that she detests the pint-sized American Idol frontman.

“So, you’re dating David Spade?” Ellen asked. “He’s a good friend of mine. He hasn’t told me that he’s dating you.”

“That’s because we’re friends,” Nicollette told Ellen. “We’re not dating.”

“Friends with benefits?” Ellen pressed.

“Oh…Do you see us together?” Nicollette replied.

“I don’t know, I just see you together,” Ellen retorted.

“What about Ryan Seacrest?” Ellen probed

Then it was Nic’s turn to retort.

“That’s gross,” Nicollette replied

“Why? What do you mean?” Ellen asked. “Do you know Ryan?”

“What did he say?” Ellen asked.

“It was nasty,” Nicollette said of Ryan’s alleged comments. “Yeah and untrue. Yeah, I don’t like him.”

In May, the former-couple bought a mansion together in L.A.’s Hidden Hills community. Michael subsequently put his Westport, Conn. estate, Della Acqua, on the market.

Then in August, Michael and Nicollette, who had been dating since 2005, ended their engagement; Michael was left without a place to call home.

“Michael’s kind of screwed. He pulled up his longtime roots in Connecticut to live with her, and now she booted him. He’s got nowhere to go.”

A Page Six source says Nicollette “kicked him out” just two days after the engagement ended.

“He’s basically homeless — and stuck with two houses. He and Nicollette split the Hidden Hills house, but she wants to stay there and not have him anywhere near it. She also doesn’t particularly want to pay him [for] his half and thinks he should just give [the house] to her.”

Chatty spies spotted the newly single Nicollette locking lips with the screen comic at the Desperate Housewives star’s 45th birthday dinner at L.A. hotspot Luau on Friday night.

“They arrived separately and even started dinner at different booths,” an onlooker tells PEOPLE.
“They cuddled and kissed,” the insider adds. “They were full-on making out in a booth.”

“David winked at her and stood by her side while she blew out the candles on her cake.”

The View may not be the only ABC series destined for a workplace massacre.

The National Enquirer claims tensions have risen to such explosive levels behind the scenes at Desperate Housewives that show creator Marc Cherry assaulted star Nicollette Sheridan in a violent slap attack last week.

According to Enquirer spies, Marc got into a furious screaming match with Nicollette, who plays “Edie” on the Emmy-winning series, over a dialogue change he had made in the actress’ script.

“Everyone was very uncomfortable,” an on set source tells the tab. “People were trying to act as though they weren’t paying attention, but when Cherry blasted her for having an opinion…it got hard to ignore the fight.”

“He totally lost it and swung for her head,” the spy insists.

Nicollette reportedly put her hand to her head and yelled, “You can’t treat me like that! You will NOT do this to me!”

The Enquirer writes:

Cherry waited half an hour, then went to her dressing room and excused his behavior by saying Nicollette should “know by now” how easily he gets upset.

Marc acknowledges that he and Nicollette argued last week, but while the report cites witness statements claim he “slapped or smacked” the star upside her head, the producer is emphatic that he never touched her.

Marc insists he only “wagged his finger” at Nicollette.

Desperate Housewives’ Nicollette Sheridan and her longtime love, crooner Michael Bolton, have called it quits, a rep for the actress told People Magazine on Tuesday.

“Nicollette Sheridan and Michael Bolton have amicably ended their engagement. They appreciate your respect for their privacy in this matter.”

Michael, 44, and Nicollette, 44, announced their wedding engagement in March 2006 after three years of steady dating.

Nicolette Sheridan is out on Desperate Housewives. The actress exited ABC’s award-winning dramedy for good on Sunday night as part of a storyline dictated depature that saw her character, Edie, abruptly leave Wisteria Lane after a confrontation with all four of the show’s leading ladies.

“Yes, Edie’s gone,” show creator Marc Cherry tells the Associated Press. “She won’t be back for a few years.”

“Edie Leaving Wisteria Lane” Video

Edie waged a neighborhood war against Bree (Marcia Cross) stemming from a kissing “incident” with Orson (Kyle McLachlan) during Sunday night’s episode. Edie was confronted and forced to leave the neighborhood after trying to blackmail Bree with revelation of the identity of her son Benjamin’s biological parents.