Ellen DeGeneres already made 'new enemies' in UK neighborhood after leaving US to start afresh: Source

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ellen DeGeneres may have left Hollywood behind, but she didn’t leave her diva attitude back in California—at least according to her new neighbors across the pond.

Locals in the picturesque Cotswolds—where stars like Hugh Grant and the Beckham power couple also reside—are fuming over claims that the former talk show queen went full steam ahead with major renovations on her $18 million farmhouse without getting the proper approvals.

The 67-year-old 'Finding Dory' star and her wife, 'Ally McBeal' stunner Portia de Rossi, 52, snapped up the swanky countryside estate late last year, seemingly ready to embrace that quaint English charm. But it wasn’t long before they courted controversy, Radar Online reported.

Ellen DeGeneres angers UK neighbors

Some disgruntled residents accused Ellen DeGeneres of committing a “technical breach” by adding a single-story extension without getting the official green light—so they went straight to the authorities to tattle on her.

Parish council members also voiced concerns that Ellen’s construction spree could have serious consequences, especially when it comes to ancient Roman ruins nearby. Meeting notes revealed additional worries over a wire fence installed on the property, with locals fearing it “could increase flood risk in the village” if debris piled up against it.

However, a spokesperson for the West Oxfordshire District Council shut down the Roman ruins panic, clarifying that they were about 200 yards away from Ellen’s 43-acre estate. The official assured that all renovations were “completed to a high standard.”

Despite the council’s reassurances, some insiders aren’t convinced Ellen has earned a warm welcome in her new home. “Ellen may have been hoping for a fresh start in England, but she might have made all new enemies by acting as if she's above the rules,” an insider dished.

Of course, Ellen’s reputation took a major hit long before she ever stepped foot in the UK. In 2022, she said farewell to 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' after a staggering 19-year run amid bombshell allegations that she fostered a toxic work environment.

The TV icon denied knowing about any inappropriate behavior behind the scenes, but the damage was done. She later joked during a stand-up gig that she was “kicked out of show business” for being “mean.”

Is Ellen DeGeneres house-hopping already?

If there’s one thing Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have garnered a reputation for, it’s their real estate game.

The couple is reportedly already eyeing a brand-new mansion—possibly leaving their historic farmhouse behind.

One local spilled to the Daily Mail, “Ellen and Portia have had several issues with the place they initially moved into. First, there was the flooding, of course, and then there was an issue with some locals complaining about some building work carried out at the property. So the upshot seems to have been that they started to have a look around, and then this property came up.”

And it sounds like they’re seriously considering the move. “They looked at it several times. And they liked it more each time they looked,” another source told the outlet. “So it does look like it’s happening. They’ve been seen around there several times in recent weeks and have even had interactions with neighbours.”

Maybe a fresh start within a fresh start is exactly what DeGeneres needs.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's love story

While their UK move is grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons, one thing that hasn’t changed is Ellen DeGeneres and Portia di Rossi’s long-standing relationship.

The couple first met at a Rock the Vote concert in 2001 but didn’t officially get together until 2004 (since they were both with other people at the time). Sparks flew as soon as they were single, and the rest was history.

The couple got engaged and tied the knot in August 2008 at their former Beverly Hills home. Through ups and downs—including DeGeneres' exit from show business—they’ve stuck by each other’s side.

While the official story is that the couple wanted a new adventure, some insiders have whispered that there’s more to it. According to InTouch Weekly, DeGeneres might have had another motive behind the UK relocation.

“Getting out of Southern California only increases the incredible control Ellen has had over Portia for years, and Ellen clearly had a reason to want to increase that level of control,” a source alleged to the outlet.