Heather Locklear doesn’t just play a bitch on TV. The primetime diva appeared on classic small screen smashes like T.J. Hooker, Dynasty, and Spin City. She also famously starred as icy PR vixen Amanda Woodward on the original Melrose Place in the 1990s. But we hear the seasoned actress got into the mother of all catfights with actress-singer Ashlee Simpson on the set of the of The CW’s Melrose revival, as a rivalry ensued over who would be the show’s official Queen Bee. When the dust settled, Heather was the last the woman standing, Star Magazine claims in its Nov. 9 issue.

While producers insist Ashlee’s departure is storyline-dictated, production insiders tell Star the 25-year-old wife and mother was railroaded by an envious Heather, who was gunning for Ashlee from the moment she arrived on set for an “Amanda Returns” guest arc airing next month.

“Heather was jealous of Ashlee immediately,” says an insider. “She knew Ashlee was one of the bigger names on set, and she wanted her gone so she could make it her show. Heather is very politcial and calculating…”

On Oct. 22, The CW abruptly announced that Ashlee along with co-star Colin Egglesfield had been booted from the show. Producers are hoping Heather’s familiar face will be a show-saving draw for the critically-panned and ratings-challenged Melrose 2.0. Informants say that’s precisely why bosses had no problem ditching Ashlee — who will exit her role as Violet Foster — after 48-year-old Heather complained she’d been poking fun of her age to other members of the cast and crew.

“She was a thorn in Heather’s side from the beginning. Ashlee came off as insincere and a wannabe diva….Her lack of talent didn’t help her…She feels like a fool.”

Heather Locklear reprises her role as Amanda on The CW’s Melrose Place Nov. 17.