Less than two weeks ago, Ashlee Simpson and Colin Egglesfield were rather cruelly dumped from Melrose Place by producers. I don’t watch the show, but I’ve heard from multiple sources that Ashlee sucked big time, and was the weakest character and actress. In a report that seemed to originate in last week’s Star Magazine, it might seem that Ashlee was thrown off the show at the behest of Heather Locklear, who Star claimed: “For a sunshiny California girl, she sure has ice running through her veins.” Oh, yes. Because no one can deny a good catfight:

Heather Locklear doesn’t just play a bitch on TV! We hear the seasoned actress, who starred in the original Melrose Place, 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 political 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.

[From PopCrunch via Oh No They Didn’t]

I might believe this, but I’ve actually seen Heather interviewed many times, and she seems like a total professional – maybe not the nicest person ever, but not the kind of person to burn bridges or disrespect coworkers. GossipCop claims the report is bullsh-t too, but I’ve been wary of Gossip Cop since they seem stuck up Lindsay Lohan’s cracked-out ass. But one story I do believe is this one from the National Enquirer – they claim that Ashlee is “devastated” with her firing, and that her whole life is sort of falling apart:

Pals fear Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown after Melrose Place eviction. The rail-thin 25-year-old singer/actress is devastated after being axed from the cast of Melrose just two months into the season.

“Ashlee didn’t see it coming, and now she’s crushed,” divulged an insider. “She invested her heart and soul into the job. She feels like the rug has been pulled out from under her.”

The CW network abruptly announced on Oct. 22 that Ashlee’s character Violet was being booted – along with co-star Colin Egglesfield, who plays Auggie. At the same time, the network said it would order a full season of the show. Even before getting dropped by the show, Ashlee was going through a tough time.

“She is struggling to hold her marriage together, dealing with motherhood and practically starving herself to look good,” said the insider.

As The ENQUIRER previously reported Ashlee had been crash dieting and stressing about how she measures up to her gorgeous co-stars. The 5-foot-6 performer, who gave birth to son Bronx Mowgli in November 2008, is extremely thin, and she’s been substituting Red Bull energy drinks and nuts for meals, say those close to her.

“Ashlee’s friends are concerned that she’s headed for an emotional meltdown,” said the insider. “She was desperate to establish herself as a serious actress, but now she’s worried that she’s failing.”

The situation isn’t much better on the home front – Ashlee and rocker husband Pete Wentz, who married in May 2008, have hit a rough patch. The day Ashlee learned she was getting canned, Pete was partying at a charity event while his wife stayed at home, caring for their sick baby.

“Ashlee is jealous of the groupies who throw themselves at Pete, and Pete is frustrated with Ashlee’s obsession with her looks and her career,” added the insider.

[From The National Enquirer]

Don’t you see how this could be true? All of it? Ashlee thinks she’s the second coming of Josie Bissett (sigh… I miss Jane from the original Melrose Place), Ashlee diets herself into oblivion, her husband is too busy getting tattoos of dudes, and everything seems to be falling apart. It totally sucks for her, and yet… I feel nothing, really. I mean, I don’t hate Ashlee, but it is sort of funny. I guess it’s cracking me up a little because this Melrose Place gig wasn’t really that big of a deal, you know? But I could see how Ashlee would be totally devastated. Poor girl.

Photos below are courtesy of The CW