Ellen DeGeneres reportedly returning to U.S. after tensions with Cotswolds neighbors escalate

Sources say Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi plan to leave the U.K. early due to ongoing conflicts

Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, are preparing to spend significantly more time back in the United States after a year of living in rural Oxfordshire. Sources told the outlet that the couple’s return has little to do with weather or missing their American routines, but instead stems from ongoing friction with residents in the Cotswolds community.

DeGeneres, 67, and de Rossi, 52, moved to the U.K. following Donald Trump’s re-election and purchased Kitesbridge Farm before relocating to a second hilltop estate with equestrian facilities. The former talk-show host reportedly told friends that the move to England was motivated by political concerns and a desire for a quieter lifestyle.

However, locals have allegedly grown increasingly frustrated over the couple’s property renovations and land alterations. RadarOnline reports that some neighbors felt the pair ignored local customs and planning sensitivities, contributing to what sources described as a strained relationship. One insider claimed DeGeneres privately acknowledged that her presence had not been well-received, despite publicly attributing her return to the U.S. to weather conditions.

Another source told RadarOnline that the continued tensions have taken a toll, saying DeGeneres feels unwelcome and judged, which has influenced the decision to leave sooner than expected.

During their time in the Cotswolds, DeGeneres and de Rossi attempted to integrate into village life by visiting nearby pubs such as The Farmer’s Dog and The Falkland Arms. But according to the outlet, the reception remained cool. The couple previously drew complaints for a “technical breach” related to a single-story extension on their $19 million farmhouse, with parish officials raising concerns about potential flood-risk impacts and the disturbance of Roman-era remains.

Additional frustrations reportedly surfaced regarding newly installed hedging and fencing, which some residents said could redirect floodwater or trap debris. A spokesperson for DeGeneres told the Daily Mail that all construction was completed to high standards and did not affect Roman remains located over 200 yards away.

RadarOnline also noted that the couple listed their original 43-acre Swinbrook estate for $27.5 million in July before moving into their current property, which DeGeneres said was chosen because it offered adequate space and facilities for their horses.

As reported by RadarOnline, the couple’s increased time back in California appears tied more to community tensions than to climate or homesickness, despite public claims suggesting otherwise.