“Flip or Flop” stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa have signed on to star fully in the next season of the hit HGTV show.
The announcement that the host and ex-couple were returning to the home improvement series came amid their highly publicized divorce following a domestic dispute last spring. When the pair announced their separation in December after seven years of marriage, reports surfaced that the future of the HGTV series was uncertain and that its seventh season would be cut short.
HGTV has ordered a massive 20 episodes for the seventh season, more than any previous season of the home improvement show, which is scheduled to premiere in December 2017.
According to the HGTV website, in Season 7, cameras “chronicled the ups and downs of Tarek and Christina's home flipping business and family life. Though the couple has split up, they've each taken the first steps towards new beginnings in their lives, running their home flipping business together, and continuing to bring you new episodes of Flip or Flop.”
“Tarek and I have worked together for a long time and I am excited to continue our work together on Flip or Flop,” Christina said in a statement today.
Tarek and Christina El MoussaGetty Images
Tarek added, “HGTV has shown so much support to Christina and me from the beginning and we look forward to flipping many more homes for Flip or Flop.”
At the time of their separation, the presenter released a statement to People magazine saying, “Like many couples, our marriage has had its challenges. There was an unfortunate misunderstanding approximately six months ago and police were called to our home as a precaution. There was no violence and no charges have been filed…Throughout this process, we have both remained committed to our children and striving to be the best parents we can. We will continue to approach this process in a civil and cooperative manner and intend to continue working together.”
According to TMZ, police were called to El Moussas' Orange County, California home in the spring of 2016 after receiving “a report of a man with a gun who may have been attempting suicide.” Despite Tarek claiming he was just “blowing off stress” and had no intention of harming himself or anyone else, a helicopter and 11 officers arrived on the scene and confiscated five guns, TMZ reported.
The couple officially filed for divorce earlier this year and are parents to two young children.
“Flip or Flop” wrapped up its sixth season last month with 17 million viewers, according to HGTV. Besides being a ratings success, “Flip or Flop” has spawned an HGTV franchise that is currently developing spinoffs set in Las Vegas, Atlanta, Fort Worth, Nashville and Chicago.